In collaboration with local partners and stakeholders, the Los Angeles Conservancy has set out to document Altadena’s cultural assets, including but not limited to gathering places, local businesses, oral histories, art, and traditions of importance to the community. We are capturing what Altadenans value most and what they would like to ensure remains as part of rebuilding efforts. These insights will map Altadena’s cultural heartbeat and help ensure recovery efforts reflect the heritage of this tight-knit community.

In 2025, the Getty Foundation awarded $420,000 to the Los Angeles Conservancy to lead community-driven efforts designed to inform the Altadena community’s long-term rehabilitation and rebuilding following the devastating Eaton Fire in January 2025. Thanks to their generous support, the Conservancy launched the Altadena Historic Resources Survey and Historic Context Statement project, as well as a cultural asset mapping effort.

The Mellon Foundation awarded the Conservancy a $1.5 million grant from the Mellon Foundation’s Humanities in Place program to significantly expand the Altadena Cultural Asset Mapping (CAM) in early 2026.

Project partners include Altadena Heritage, the Altadena Historical Society, Architectural Resources Group, Historic Resources Group, Los Angeles County Department of Regional Planning, and  community stakeholders, such as Altadena Rebuild Coalition (an initiative of SoCal NOMA), Altadena Library District, Altadena Rising, Alma Cielo and 1000 Voices Altadena Mosaic, local businesses, places of worship, culture bearers, artists, civic leaders, and residents.

Cultural Asset Mapping (CAM) helps communities identify and recognize tangible and intangible values, attributes, and aspects of a community that can be integrated into rebuilding efforts and in broader planning. Rooted in equity and engagement, CAM can be a powerful tool for supporting cultural memory, identity, and advocacy, and will foster community healing, engagement and empowerment.

The Conservancy recognizes the critical and urgent need for a trusted, community-driven process that allows Altadena residents and stakeholders to determine the cultural resources they want to see persist in the rebuilding of their cherished community.

Thank you to our partners in this important work.

Learn more about our fire recovery and rebuilding efforts.