Tuesday, February 25, 2014

LA Heritage Day: April 27, 2014

Join all of Los Angeles at 
LA Heritage Day 
on Sunday, April 27, 2014
11am to 4pm


On Sunday, April 27, 2014, from 11am to 4pm, the L.A. Heritage Alliance will host the sixth Annual L.A. Heritage Day to share Los Angeles and Southern California’s history through tours, free museums, children’s activities, presentations, food, and more. The entire event and all activities are free and will take place at the birthplace of Los Angeles, adjacent to world-famous Olvera Street inside the Pico House making for a full day of history, food, and fun.

“In a region sometimes perceived as lacking ‘real’ history, L.A. Heritage Day is an opportunity for people to learn about and enjoy the fascinating people, places, and events that have shaped our history,” said John Bwarie, Founder of the L.A. Heritage Alliance. “We are joining together to show the diversity of our history and breadth of those heritage groups serving people today throughout Los Angeles County.”

More than seventy heritage groups will have booths and activities in and around the historic Pico House. The diverse range of groups represents the native peoples of Los Angeles, cultural groups, preservation organizations, geographically focused organizations from across Southern California, and more. Attendees can also visit seven free museums on site, from the oldest house in Los Angeles to LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes and América Tropical Interpretive CenterAlso featured is the “L.A. Heat” exhibit at the Chinese American Museum.

This year’s L.A. Heritage Day will feature an expanded children’s activity area with activities from photo booths to craft making. A dozen experts will make free presentations on topics ranging from Leo Politi (noted artist who captured the communities in and around Olvera Street) to Hollywoodland and the world’s most famous sign to the history (and importance) of L.A.’s Backyard BBQs, among many others. Costumed historians and reactors will be entertain attendees, historic cars will be on display, and entertainment will fill the plaza.

“With so many groups attending this event, there will be something for everyone,” said Chris Espinosa, General Manager of El Pueblo Historical Monument. “The legacy of the Mexican, Chinese, Italian, Spanish and African immigrant communities, along with our region's indigenous people, will be honored for their role in making Los Angeles the diverse metropolis it is today.”

L.A. Heritage Day takes place inside the historic Pico House and in the Plaza at El Pueblo Historical Monument (http://elpueblo.lacity.org/) at 424 N Main St, Los Angeles, CA 90012, adjacent to Olvera Street and across the street from Union Station in downtown Los Angeles. El Pueblo is the birthplace of L.A., the site of the early pueblo where the city was founded in 1781. Special tours of Olvera Street, Avila Adobe, Chinese American Museum, and Plaza Firehouse Museum will be available, as well as the Museum of Social Justice.

Parking is available in surrounding paid lots and attendees are also encouraged to bike or take public transportation. Metro provides Bus and Rail transportation via the Metro Red, Purple, or Gold Lines to Union Station, just across Alameda Street from El Pueblo Historical Monument. For best route or more info, visit the Metro Trip Planner at metro.net or call (323) Go Metro (466.3876). You can also plan your visit via experiencela.com/laheritage.

L.A. Heritage Day is presented by the L.A. Heritage Alliance and El Pueblo Historical Monument, in association with the El Pueblo Park Association (EPPA). Admission is free, including tours and activities. The event is made possible through support from the Office of L.A. City Councilman Tom LaBonge and Future Studio Los Angeles.

Current L.A. Heritage Day participants include:
American Cinematheque
Angels Flight® Railway
Arcadia Historical Society
African American Firefighter Museum
African American Pioneer Society
Alhambra Preservation Group
Art Deco Society of Los Angeles
Beverly Hills Heritage
Campo de Cahuenga Historical Memorial Association
Chinese American Museum
Chinese Historical Society of Southern California
City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs
Conference of California Historical Societies
Culinary Historians of Southern California
Dominguez Rancho Adobe Museum Eagle Rock Valley Historical Society
El Pueblo Park Association (EPPA)
Filipino American Museum of Culture & History
Friends of Banning Museum
Friends of Griffith Park
Friends of the Michael White Adobe
Gabrieleno Band of Mission Indians - Kizh Nation
Genealogical Society of Hispanic America - Southern California
Heritage Square Museum
Highland Park Heritage Trust
Historical Society of Centinela Valley
Historical Society of Southern California
Hollywood Chapter - Daughters of the American Revolution
Hollywood Heritage
Italian American Museum of Los Angeles
LA as Subject
LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes
Lanterman House
Las Angelitas del Pueblo
Leonis Adobe Museum
Little Landers Historical Society
Little Tokyo Historical Society
Long Beach Heritage Museum

Los Angeles City Historical Society
Los Angeles Conservancy
Los Angeles Historic Theatre Foundation
Los Encinos Docent Association
Los Pobladores 200
Lummis Day Community Foundation
Manhattan Beach-Cultural Heritage Conservancy
Monrovia Historic Preservation Group
Muckenthaler Cultural Center
Mural Conservancy of Los Angeles
Museum of Social Justice
Museum of the San Fernando Valley
Pasadena Heritage
Photo Friends of the Los Angeles Public Library
Point Fermin Lighthouse Society
Public Art Initiative, The Museum of the San Fernando Valley
Rancho Los Cerritos Historic Site
SAH/SCC - Society of Architectural Historians, Southern California Chapter
San Fernando Valley Historical Society
San Marino Historical Society
Santa Monica Conservancy
Santa Monica History Museum
Southern California Genealogical Society

Soldados y Californios de SoCal
Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War
Topanga Historical Society
USC Pacific Asia Museum
Venice Heritage Foundation
Venice Historical Society
West Adams Heritage Association
West Hollywood Preservation Alliance
Western Educators, Shooters & Troopers
Yesteryears Dancers 

For an updated list of participating groups or for more information and updates, visit https://www.facebook.com/LosAngelesHeritage.