LIZ LESHIN: Brian, you’ve been a Conservancy member since 2003, and involved in other preservation organizations, including as President of Hollywood Heritage. Why is historic preservation important to you and the public at large?

BRIAN CURRAN: As someone who moved around a lot in my youth, connection to a place and its roots was often hard to establish. With each new move I was instinctively drawn to a city’s historic architecture and neighborhoods because they helped me establish that essential “sense of place” which anchors a community with its history and culture. I learned preservation was the way in which this heritage was protected and championed as a means of sustaining a community’s identity and its connection to its past.  

LL: Why is preserving Los Angeles’ historic places important?

BC: The preservation of Los Angeles’ historic places is specifically important and urgent because LA, with its unique host of environmental challenges, history of migrations, Hollywood dreams and growth mindset, has fought against the idea that it is a “historic” city. The erasure of the story of LA through the destruction and demolition of its historic buildings exacerbates this resistance, leading to a sense that LA is somehow ephemeral, where nothing lasts and is not worth investing in as a place of beauty and culture.  

LL: What specific role do you think the Los Angeles Conservancy has to play in our region?

BC: Having run a local preservation society – Hollywood Heritage – the LA Conservancy is seen as being the “mother ship” of a galaxy of historic societies, preservation advocates and interest groups throughout LA County. It is the organization that unifies our efforts and gives the movement its establishment credentials, helping speak for us at the municipal, county and state level. It gives the sheen of respectability to our rather scrappy band of activists! The LA Conservancy is crucial for leading the largest preservation efforts and battles while also providing guidance, resources and support to preservation efforts throughout the city and county.   

LL: You recently hosted a donor event for the Conservancy at your historic home. When did you first purchase it, and why were you interested in buying a historic home?  

BC: We purchased the O’ Melveny House in 2017. As a historic preservation professional I have always felt pulled to stewardship of historic homes. When we were moving from London back to LA after living in a 1750 Georgian Townhouse, I told my husband I wouldn’t settle for anything less than 100 years old!  Luckily, we were able to find this marvelous home that had been well maintained that we could adapt for our family.  

LL: What compels you to open your home up to organizations you support? 

BC: Visiting historic house museums and historic homes growing up is what lead me to pursue a career in preservation. I have always thought there is no point in owning a historic home if you don’t open up its beauty to friends, family and others. Historic architecture and interiors are incredibly inspiring and uplifting, they should be shared.