Mrs. Gardner, he noted, lived modestly in her later years after her husband's death, preserving her assets for an endowment fund she left to maintain their home for future visitors. S tories about the house and its guests abound. Others have left less flattering legacies, such as the foreign diplomat who placed dirty china back into the cupboard. Not just anyone can register for a stay at Gardner House, the pair noted. It is intended to be used by special guests of the University president and departments, and only two or three guest rooms are occupied at any given time.
Most visitors stay just one or two nights.