Elrod House Tours
February 24-26
Pre-Sales Through Feb. 4

Courtesy Michael J. Kilroy.

As part of Palm Springs Modernism Week, the world-famous Elrod House (John Lautner, 1968) will open its doors to the public for five tours over three days. The house has appeared in numerous books, magazines, and museum exhibitions, not to mention the classic 1971 James Bond movie, Diamonds Are Forever.

A portion of ticket sales will benefit the Conservancy, and Conservancy supporters have access to ticket sales for two days before the general public (until Saturday, February 4). Don't delay! If you have questions, please contact the Elrod House directly.

Details and Tickets

Millard Sheets: A Legacy of Art and Architecture
Sunday, March 18, 2012

Garrison Theatre at Scripps College. Photo courtesy Scripps College.

The Conservancy and its Modern Comittee are excited to present this special tour showcasing the art and architecture of Millard Sheets in the Claremont and Pomona area.

The tour is part of Pacific Standard Time: Art in L.A. 1945-1980, an unprecedented collaboration of more than sixty cultural institutions across Southern California, coming together to tell the story of the birth of the L.A. art scene.

Details and Tickets

New Coalition Formed to Help Save the
Hannah Carter Japanese Garden

The Hannah Carter Japanese Garden at UCLA. Photo by Judy M. Horton.

The University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) is in the process of listing for sale its Hannah Carter Japanese Garden in Bel-Air, constructed between 1959 and 1962. Spanning one-and-a-half acres, the hillside garden is among the largest and most significant private residential Japanese-style gardens built in the United States following World War II. UCLA does not currently plan to sell the garden with any requirements that it be maintained or preserved.

More Information and How You Can Help
Coalition to Save the Hannah Carter Japanese Garden

Historic Designation and
Documentation Workshop
Tuesday, February 7, 9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Baldwin Hills Village Green. Photo by Adrian Scott Fine/L.A. Conservancy.

The California Preservation Foundation will hold a day-long, in-depth workshop on documenting and designating historic places. Adrian Scott Fine, the Conservancy's director of advocacy, will be on the panel discussing various types of historic designation. The workshop takes place at Baldwin Hills Village (Village Green) and includes a tour of this historic garden apartment community. The workshop costs $165 ($130 for CPF members). Space is limited; reserve early.

For More Information and Registration

Beverly Hills Adopts Preservation Ordinance

Beverly Hills City Hall. Photo by waltarrrrr on Flickr.

Congratulations to the City of Beverly Hills for adopting a new historic preservation ordinance!

The City Council voted unanimously on January 10 to adopt a meaningful ordinance that offers both protections and incentives for preserving historic properties.

We applaud the City Council and the Planning Department for their hard work and collaboration in this effort.

More About the Beverly Hills Ordinance

New Website Section on
Wyvernwood Garden Apartments

Wyvernwood residents; photo courtesy Jesus Hermosillo.

Thank you to everyone who commented on the draft environmental impact report in support of preserving the historic Wyvernwood Garden Apartments in Boyle Heights!

We're excited to launch a new section of our website devoted to Wyvernwood, the first large-scale garden apartment community in Los Angeles. The site is threatened with demolition and replacement with a $2 billion mixed-use development.

Wyvernwood Garden Apartments

Hollywood Community Plan Update

Photo by 5thwall on Flickr.

The Los Angeles City Planning Department is updating the Hollywood Community Plan, which will effectively set the standard for other plans to follow.

The Conservancy, Hollywood Heritage, and others have been working to make sure this plan allows for future growth while maintaining Hollywood’s iconic and unique historic character.

More about the Hollywood Community Plan

Preservation Advocacy Fund: Support Above and Beyond Membership Dues

Kronish House (Richard Neutra, 1955); threatened with demolition in 2010. Photo © J. Paul Getty Trust. Used with permission. Julius Shulman Photography Archive, Research Library at the Getty Research Institute (2004.R.10)

In addition to annual membership dues, we rely on donations to our Preservation Advocacy Fund to help us respond quickly to urgent issues that arise throughout the year.

Donations to the fund are 100% tax-deductible. Your support makes our work possible. Thank you!

Donate Now to the Preservation Advocacy Fund

Support Preservation by Buying Groceries

Through the Ralphs/Food-4-Less community contribution program, when you use your Ralphs or Food-4-Less rewards card, a portion of your total purchase is donated to the Conservancy. Sign up or renew today! (Even if you’ve participated in the past, you need to renew your registration for the current term Sept. 1, 2011 – Aug. 31, 2012. We apologize for any inconvenience.)

Instructions on how to join or renew

Would you like to celebrate a wedding or other special occasion at a remarkable historic locale? If so, browse the Conservancy's Historic Sites list for some ideas on the perfect venue for your event.

Historic Sites for Special Events