How do I know if my home is historic?
How can I research the history of my home?
How do I landmark my home/property?
How can I get money to restore my property?
What is the Mills Act, and how do I apply?
I want to have my wedding/special event at a historic site. How do I?
My address or email address has changed – how do I let you know?
When is the Bradbury Building open?
How can I visit the historic Broadway theatres?
When will the LRS schedule be available?
Do you offer group walking tours?

If your question isn't listed, call 213-623-2489 or email us at info@laconservancy.org and we will be happy to assist you.

A home in Joseph Eichler's Balboa Highlands tract. Photo by L.A. Conservancy staff.

Q: How do I know if my home is historic?
A: To find out if your home already has landmark status, contact your city’s planning department for a list of local historic sites. Some cities post their designated landmarks online through the city’s planning department webpage.

Of course, your home doesn't need official designation in order to be significant. You can research your home's history to find out if it has architectural or cultural significance.

Q: How can I research the history of my home?
A: See our historical research guide for step-by-step instructions. You can also hire someone to research your home for you. There are a number of professional historians that can help you discover the historic background of your home. Visit our Go-To Guide for more information (formerly known as the Preservation Resource Directory).

Rudolph Schindler's How House. Photo by L.A. Conservancy staff.

Q: How do I landmark my home/property?
A: If the city you live in has adopted a historic preservation ordinance, you can prepare a landmark nomination application for local designation. The process varies among cities, but the general requirements include: a physical description of the property, a statement of architectural and/or cultural significance, a description of any alterations to the property, and photographs.

To see if your city has a landmarks process, see our 2008 L.A. County Preservation Report Card (PDF)

Q: How can I get money to restore my property?
A: Unfortunately, there are few large government or foundation grants available to owners of historic properties, and even those few typically limit eligibility to government agencies or nonprofits.

Home in Vermont Square. Photo from L.A. Conservancy archives.

What is available tends to be tax incentives for private owners of historic buildings.  The state’s Mills Act program, implemented by local governments, allows historic property owners to take often-significant property tax reductions.

 
Q: What is the Mills Act, and how do I apply?
A: The Mills Actis the single most important economic incentive program in California for the restoration and preservation of qualified historic buildings by private property owners. The City of Los Angeles Office of Historic Resources website has in-depth information on the program.
More

Q: I want to have my wedding/special event at a historic site. What sites are available?
A: A section of our website links to historic sites that hold special events. Learn more

Q: My address or email address has changed – how do I let you know?
A: We’re working on a way for you to change this information yourself. In the meantime, we’re happy to do it for you. Just send your changes to our membership department at member@laconservancy.org.

Bradbury Building. Photo courtesy sugar & strats on flickr.

Q: When is the Bradbury Building open?
A: The lobby of the Bradbury Building, located at 304 S. Broadway at Third Street, is open to the public Monday – Sunday,
9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Q: How can I visit the historic Broadway theatres?
A: The Conservancy does not own the historic Broadway theatres. Our weekly Broadway: Historic Theatre & Commercial District tour visits the exteriors of these great theatres, but typically only one or two interiors (not guaranteed). Our annual Last Remaining Seats series is the best way to experience the theatres firsthand. If you'd like to rent a theatre for a film shoot, special event, or any other reason, contact the theatres directly by visiting their websites:

Los Angeles Theatre. Photo by Bruce Boehner.

Los Angeles
Mayan
Million Dollar
Orpheum
Palace
Tower

For a list of countywide operating theatres available for special events, click here.

Q: When will the LRS schedule be available?
A: Generally, the schedule for our Last Remaining Seats series is available in March. Join our Last Remaining Seats e-mail list to make sure you get the most up-to-date information.

2008 Last Remaining Seats. Photo by Bob Brennan.

Q: Do you offer group walking tours?
A: Yes, the Conservancy offers private tours for groups of eight to ten or more (depending on the tour). More

If you have a suggested question to add to this page, let us know by calling 213-430-4215 or e-mail news@laconservancy.org.