Las Angelitas Docent Training at El Pueblo Starts Feb. 3

News from Las Angelitas, one of the over 150 L.A. Heritage Alliance members, announcing yet another way to be involved in local history and heritage:

New docent training classes for El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historical Monument will be held for nine Tuesdays from Feb. 3 through March 31, 2009. Classes are offered by Las Angelitas del Pueblo, the volunteer docent organization that conducts free walking tours of the “birthplace of Los Angeles.”

Classes will be held from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Las Angelitas office, located at 130 Paseo de la Plaza next to the Old Firehouse and directly across from Union Station. The classes feature multi-media presentations of historic photos and lectures from El Pueblo curators and area history experts. Las Angelitas consists of sixty men and women who are history buffs with a passion for the history of Los Angeles, according to the organization’s president Kate Probst. “This is a wonderful group of volunteers who embrace LA history and want to share their knowledge with others,” says Frank Damon, past President, who leads the training classes.

The volunteer commitment is two weekday tours or one Saturday tour per month. The walking tours are fifty minutes long. Some tours are provided in Spanish and German. The historical timeline for the class begins prior to the founding of the city in 1781, when California was under Spanish rule. During the training sessions, everyone learns how to guide visitors around El Pueblo, which includes five museums, numerous historic buildings and the world-famous Olvera Street.

Las Angelitas, founded in 1966, is the oldest walking tour nonprofit organization in Los Angeles. “Our purpose since the beginning has been to provide educational and historically accurate walking tours of El Pueblo,” said Damon. More than ten thousand students, local residents and tourists are given free tours annually. To sign up for Las Angelitas docent training classes, visit www.lasangelitas.org and click “BE A DOCENT”, or call Jeanne Conklin at (310) 398-0269.

Preservation and Sustainability: An Evening with Richard Moe

As part of its 30th anniversary celebration, the Los Angeles Conservancy welcomes Richard Moe, president of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Mr. Moe will discuss the critical links between historic preservation and sustainability. A reception follows the discussion. Reservations required. For details, visit the L.A. Conservancy's website.

L.A. NOIR-chitecture Tour Sunday, November 9

The Los Angeles Conservancy presents a one-day-only tour of seven historic sites associated with Los Angeles noir fiction, from the Glendale Train Depot (scene of the crime in Double Indemnity) to the Parva-Sed-Apta Apartments in Hollywood (where Nathanael West lived while writing The Day of the Locust). The tour is Sunday, November 9 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For details, visit the L.A. Conservancy's website.

3rd Annual Archives Bazaar

LA as a Subject will be hosting their 3rd annual Archives Bazaar on October 25th from 10am to 5pm at the USC Davidson Conference Center. This event showcases those groups preserving archive collections and allows for an up-close look at these documents. More info can be found at their website, and the flyer is available here.

So, what, you ask is LA as a Subject?  From their website:

What Is L.A. as Subject?

Hosted by the USC Libraries, L.A. as Subject is an alliance of research archives, libraries, and collections dedicated to preserving the rich history of the Los Angeles region. L.A. as Subject is working to increase the visibility of local archives and improve access to them for students, researchers, K-12 educators, and everyone else with a stake in Southern California history. L.A. as Subject promotes tools and mentoring to help its members with everything from preserving and cataloging materials in their collections to fundraising and public outreach.

Celebrate the 86th anniversary of the Egyptian Theatre!

Come join the celebration in honor of the Egyptian Theatre's 86th anniversary. On October 18th, attend a behind the scenes tour of the historic Hollywood Theatre built in 1922 by Sid Grauman. This tour of offered monthly; but this is the special 86th anniversary weekend, so don't miss it! 

To find out more about the tour, the anniversary, and to make a reservation, visit the American Cinematheque website.

Port Director to Speak on History: "From Shallow Bay to World-Class Harbor: San Pedro"

The LA City Historical Society will present  Dr. Geraldine Knatz, Executive Director of the Port of Los Angeles, at their final lecture in their annual Marie Northrup Lecture Series on October 19th at 2pm at the Riordan Central Library. She will present a lecture on the history of the Port of Los Angele entitle "From Shallow Bay to World-Class Harbor: San Pedro." 

For more details on this free presentation, visit the LA City Historical Society Website.

SUNSHINE AND STRUGGLE: THE ITALIAN EXPERIENCE IN LOS ANGELES, 1827-1927

From the The Historic Italian Hall Foundation, an ongoing exhibit through mid-November on the Italian contribution to Los Angeles:

The Historic Italian Hall Foundation in collaboration with El Pueblo Historical Monument will present SUNSHINE AND STRUGGLE: THE ITALIAN EXPERIENCE IN LOS ANGELES, 1827-1927 through November 15, 2008 at the Pico House Gallery. The history of Italians in Los Angeles is a seldom-examined topic that when explored, provides a more meaningful understanding of the city’s rich history and unparalleled diversity.  While few reminders of Los Angeles’ long-disappeared little Italy remain, the Italian enclave was located in the heart of the city, in the areas surrounding El Pueblo Historical Monument, present-day Chinatown and Union Station, spreading eastward in the later years to Lincoln Heights. From the time of the first Italian settler’s arrival in 1827, Italian immigrants held important civic and entrepreneurial positions and played an instrumental role in the city’s economic development.  SUNSHINE AND STRUGGLE features dozens of never-before-published photographs and numerous historical artifacts pertaining to the Italian American presence in Los Angeles, an experience that both mirrors and contrasts from that of their counterparts elsewhere in the United States. It is written and curated by historian Mariann Gatto. The Pico House Gallery at El Pueblo Historical Monument: 424 North Main Street, Los Angeles, 90012. 

   

Stage Coach Rides Again in Los Angeles

On October 19th, you and your family will have a once-in-a-lifetime chance to watch an 1858 Butterfield Stage make its way along Ventura Boulevard, on the very same El Camino Real, marked with the hanging bells that now mark the highway throughout California.

The stage coach begin its almost 19 mile journey from Campo de Cahuenga, stop at Los Encinos Historical Monument and hitchup at world famous Leonis Adobe in Calibasas. Make sure your kids and grandparents see this!

From the Campo de Cahuenga Press Release:

The Campo de Cahuenga Historical Memorial Association has joined with the California State Parks, the Los Encinos Docents, Tarzana Community Kids Club, the Calabasas Historical Society, and Leonis Adobe Museum to celebrate the 150th Anniversary of the Butterfield Overland Mail Stage in the San Fernando Valley. Across the United States from August to October, 2008 events are planned to underscore the importance of stage lines in the 19th century.

In 1858, the stage left St. Louis on September 16th arriving at the Campo on October 7th or 8th. They changed horses at the Campo and immediately departed for the San Fernando Mission, a journey of 15 miles and then an additional 8 miles to the Hart Ranch. After this historic feat the eastern and westbound services began on a regular basis to deliver mail.

Our observance of this historic event will involve sending an 1858 Stagecoach with 4 horses west from the Campo along Ventura Boulevard (the old El Camino Real Highway) 18.9 miles to Leonis Adobe in Calabasas. With additional stops at Los Encinos State Historic Park and the Tarzana Community and Cultural Center, the journey is planned to take 7 hours. Celebrations are being planned at the beginning, end, and each stop along the way.


ROUTE

Start at 3919 Lankershim Bl. (Campo de Cahuenga site), travels south to Ventura Bl., turns west along Ventura Bl. 18.9 miles to Leonis Adobe in Calabasas. The only deviation to the planned route is for the procession to turn left (south) at Ventura Bl. and Van Nuys Bl, proceed up Van Nuys Bl. one block to right (west) on Dickens St, follow Dickens St. two blocks to Kester Ave, turn right (north) on Kester Ave. to Ventura Bl. and turn left (west) back on to Ventura Bl. This is being done to avoid the Sherman Oaks Street Fair. An alternative to this piece is to stay on Dickens St one additional block to Noble Ave and then turn right to Ventura Bl. The route deviation is through multi-family residential. Enter Los Encinos SHP at Moorpark St entrance at rear of State Park. Next, follow Ventura Bl to Valley Circle Bl, turn left (south) and cross over 101 Frwy to Calabasas Ave then turn right (west) to Leonis Adobe. The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD), Department of Transportation (DOT), and the stagecoach wrangler will finalize the route.

STOPS & SCHEDULE

Campo de Cahuenga (Start) 0 11:00 AM to 11.30 AM
Los Encinos SHP (8.96 miles) 2.5 hrs. 2:00 PM to 2:30 PM
Tarzana Community Center (4.22 miles) 1.2 hrs 3:45 PM to 4:15 PM
Leonis Adobe (5.73 miles & End) 1.6 hrs 6:00 PM

Total: 18.9 miles

The stagecoach travels 3.5 mph. This schedule is being finalized with the LAPD, DOT and the stagecoach wrangler and is subject change.

Celebrations are being planned at the Campo de Cahuenga with a special lunch and history briefing scheduled for 10:30 AM. Stagecoach Days is being planned by the Los Encinos State Historic Park from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM. At the Tarzana stop, the Tarzana Community Kids Club is working on a Western themed activity to coincide with the stagecoach arrival. And the Calabasas Historical Society and the Leonis Adobe Museum are planning activities at the Leonis Adobe.

For up to date information as the celebration nears, call 818-784-4849 or check the Campo website at www.campodecahuenga.com  or email campodecahuenga1847@hotmail.com.

Opportunities for Promotion

The annual walk from the San Gabriel Mission to El Pueblo to celebrate the birthday of the founding of Los Angeles Pueblo by the Los Pobladores (September 4, 1781) will be held this year on September 1, 2008. In the square at Olvera Street, many booths from various local organizations such as the Las Angelitas organization will be sharing information.

If any of the LA Heritage Alliance organizations want a booth, they can get all the details from john.kopcznski@lacity.org.

Also, Lester from Las Angelitas has extended an invitation to all the LAHA members to consider a visit to EL Pueblo for all of their members. The Las Angelitas will be pleased to give them a free walking tour at 10, 11 and 12 AM from Tuesday thru Saturday, as well as at other times with specially arranged reservations. Details of the tour on their web site at http://www.lasangelitas.org/.

Free Capacity Building Workshop

The City of Los Angeles offers free capacity building trainings for non-profits. See details below.

City of Los Angeles Community Development Department

"Basic" Training
Community, faith-based/non-profit organizations, and individuals are invited and encouraged to participate in a FREE training series designed to learn how to start an organization or to enhance the effectiveness of an existing one. The program especially targets those working with low-income youth, families, and communities.

Thursdays, 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
09/18/08 Building a Capable Community Organization–Part I
09/25/08 Building a Capable Community Organization–Part II
10/02/08 Board Development/Governance
10/16/08 Program Planning/Development
10/30/08 Marketing/Branding Your Organization
11/13/08 Proposal/Grant Writing
12/11/08 Fundraising Strategies

Space is limited and reservations will be taken on a first-come, first-served basis. Breakfast and lunch will be provided.

YOM/Boyle Heights Technology Center
1600 E. 4th Street
Los Angeles, CA 90033

Street parking available.

For questions, information and registration, please contact
Maricela Hernandez at 213-744-9307 or Maricela.Hernandez@lacity.org (TTY# 213-744-9329)
An equal opportunity employer/program. Auxiliary aids and services available upon request with at least five working days advance notice.

Hollywood Heritage to Host Quarterly Heritage Alliance meeting

On August 23rd, Hollywood Heritage will be hosting the quarterly meeting of the LA Heritage Alliance.

The draft agenda is below, and requests for more information & RSVPs can be sent to John.

See you there!

Draft Agenda:

Los Angeles Heritage Alliance
Quarterly Meeting
August 23, 2008
9:30am to 11am

I. Introductions
2. Review Heritage Organization list
3. Panel Discussion on Membership: Retention and Attraction
4. Next meeting topic & location
5. Plans for 2009
6. Announcements
7. Adjourn

Alliance Member News: Concerts at the Square!

From Heritage Square Museum:

Concerts at The Square: Thursdays, July 17th and 31st, and August 28 from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM. These free concerts invite you to take a break from your commute for a few hours of entertainment at Heritage Square. Doors open at 4:00, with performances starting at 4:30 p.m..

July 17 begins with Marie MacGillis and the Toddy Trio, followed by the Pasadena City College Swing Band.

July 31 begins with Groove Session, followed by the Susie Hansen Latin Band.

August 28 begins with the “Sometimes in Tune" band, followed by Orquesta Salsumba.

Free to the public. Special gift for museum members during concert series. This free event is made possible through the support of several local neighborhood councils and the LA County Arts Commission.

If your organization has news or events to share, let us know and we'll post it here.

What's Your Website?

Many sites claim to have the "complete" list of historical societies, museums, and heritage groups in Los Angeles listed. Often, though, these lists are outdated or incomplete.

As part of the mission to increase communication, the LA Heritage Alliance is working to create a real-time, updated list of heritage organizations in Los Angeles.

So, we need your help: what organizations do you know about and what are their websites?

Respond in the comment section below and watch as the list on the list on the left becomes a real-time example of heritage organizations in Los Angeles!

Next L.A. Heritage Alliance Meeting: August 23, 2008

Mark your Calendars!

The next meeting of the Los Angeles Heritage Alliance will be held on Saturday, August 23, 2008 in the morning. The meeting will be focusing on membership: retention, growth, attraction, etc.

The exact location and time will be announced via email. If you or your organization would like to to host the quarterly meeting (provide a location and some coffee/juice/refreshments), please contact us.

If you'd like to be added to the LA Heritage Alliance email list, please contact us.

Heritage Square Launches Blog

As a result of the first LA Heritage Alliance meeting on web tools and marketing, Heritage Square Museum has a launched a brand new blog.

Check it out here and make sure to add it to your RSS!

(It's also linked on the sidebar of this blog.)

LA Heritage Alliance Convenes First Meeting

Today, the Los Angeles Heritage Alliance -- formed to increase communication and collaboration between heritage organizations in Los Angeles -- held its first Alliance meeting at Heritage Square Museum in the Perry Mansion.

Over 150 groups were invited to hear about online marketing and "web 2.0" tools from Zach Behrens, editor of the highly sucessful Los Angeles news blog, LAist.com. Behrens gave an overview of the online tools that can be employed for free or at a low cost to market historical organizations to a wider audience.

The next Alliance meeting will be in August with information posted on this site. The topic will focus on membership: attraction, activation, & retention.

The following groups were represented at today's meeting:

Alhambra Preservation Group

Heritage Square Museum

Lanterman House

Las Angelitas

Los Angeles Conservancy

Old Mill Foundation

Santa Monica Conservancy

Society of Architectural Historians, Southern California Chapter

Recent LA Heritage Alliance Press Coverage

Below is a list of the latest press coverage (online) of the LA Heritage Alliance and its projects and efforts. (Listings start with the most recent.)

"News and Events" (under May 2008) via Alhambra Preservation Group - May 31, 2008

"Meeting for the Historically Minded" via View From a Loft - Feb 25, 2008

"Heritage Square Museum Launches LA Heritage Alliance" via PreserveLA - Feb 21, 2008

"200+ Historical Organizations in LA Area" via LAist - Feb 20, 2008

"Event Launches Effort to Save Dwindling LA History Collections" via Atwater Village News - Feb 14, 2008

L.A. Heritage Alliance Formed!

This is the first post of the "3-minute to website" for the Los Angeles Heritage Alliance. The purpose of the LA Heritage Alliance is to increase communication & collaboration between heritage groups in Los Angeles.

Museums, historical societies, preservation organizations and cultural groups located in the Los Angeles region are invited to participate in the quarterly meetings that address specific topics to enhance the ability of these groups to preserve and promote our collective heritage.

The LA Heritage Alliance will also take on issues like creating a master list that lists current contact information for all groups in the Los Angeles area and host the annual "LA Heritage Day."

Here's to looking forward to our heritage's future!