Free Workshop: "Protecting Cultural Collections: Disaster Prevention, Preparedness, Response & Recovery"

Protecting Cultural Collections:

Disaster Prevention, Preparedness, Response & Recovery

Part 1: Prevention & Preparedness – 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

     Fullerton: Friday, March 20, 2015 – Fullerton Museum Center

Part 2: Response & Recovery – 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

     Fullerton: Friday, April 17, 2015 – Fullerton Museum Center

Workshop instructor: Julie Page, Co-Coordinator, California Preservation Program and

Western States & Territories Preservation Assistance Service

The Heritage Health Index determined that most collecting institutions need a disaster response plan that includes collections with staff trained to carry it out. Attend this interactive 2-part workshop “Protecting Cultural Collections”:

• Complete a disaster plan by the end of Part 2
• Learn how to train staff to implement your plan effectively
• Set pre- and post-disaster action priorities for your collections
• Learn how to use practical decision-making skills during an emergency
• Experience salvage procedures for a wide variety of material including books, documents, photos & objects

The workshop days are scheduled a month apart. Participants will prepare short assignments prior to the first session; between sessions, they will undertake additional assignments resulting in a completed disaster plan at the end of Part 2. Upon completion, the institutions will be invited to join an informal network of trained personnel to provide mutual aid in the event of emergencies involving collections in the region.

Who should attend:    Administrators and staff responsible for emergency preparedness, response and decision-making, in all types of cultural institutions including libraries, archives, museums and historical societies.  By registering for the workshop, the institution commits to supporting the attendee(s) to achieve the workshop's disaster preparedness goals. When possible, please send two attendees from an institution so they can work together on the disaster preparedness activities.

Cost:    The workshop is FREE; just your time, energy, and institutional commitment. 

Funding provided by The Getty Foundation to the Californians Connecting to Collections project.

Registration: Pre-registration required. Register online at: http://www.calmuseums.org/disasterplanning

For more information or registration assistance contact: Christina Alberti assistant@calmuseums.org

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 Center. Also 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.

No-Cost MBA Consulting for Heritage Non-Profits

For smaller historical non-profits, check this out from the Center for Non-Profit Management:

UCLA Anderson | Net Impact Consulting for Nonprofits
The UCLA Anderson chapter of Net Impact pairs MBA student teams of 4-6 students with nonprofits/social ventures to work on a strategic issue the organization is facing. It’s no-cost MBA consulting for the organization. Click here to download a flyer with more information.

LA Heritage Day 2013 a Resounding Success!

On April 14, 2013, thousands of people from across Southern California descended upon the heart of LA, the birthplace of the City, for the 6th LA Heritage Day at El Pueblo.

Inside the Pico House and Hellman Quon Building, over 75 organizations set up exhibits to share their organizations' good works, passions, and their portion of LA history. The Heritage Showcase featured over a dozen speakers in a crowded mini-auditorium, including elected officials, museum curators, archivists, and historians -- all experts! Hundreds of children were able to make a craft or participate in some activity that created a fun experience for the whole family as they connected with our shared past.

With interactive dancing in the Plaza (in the Kiosko!), costumed historic interpreters, historic vehicles free guided tours, and lots of give-aways, the day had something for everyone!

You can see photos and get updates of other LA heritage news and events at www.facebook.com/LosAngelesHeritage.

Started in 2008 with the first LA Heritage Day, the LA Heritage Alliance serves its members by providing no-cost resources, workshops, consulting, & training to support their efficacy and provide support as needed. All this work is done to improve the communication and collaboration of the over 230 heritage organizations across LA as they work to preserve and promote our shared heritage.

LA Heritage Day Speakers Announced

LA Heritage Day is proud to present expert speakers from across L.A. in its Heritage Showcase. Don't miss these compelling and authoritative presentations!

The schedule* for Heritage Day is as follows:

11:15            Richard Atkins, Hollywood Heritage:
                      “History Is Not Always Set in Stone”

11:30             Marva Felchlin, Autry National Center: 

“The Pico House, as Told by Its Original Registry”

11:45            Jerry Fecht, Museum of the San Fernando Valley:

“Surveying the San Fernando Valley's Population of Ghosts”

12:00            Councilman Tom LaBonge

12:15            Charles Perry, Culinary Historians of Southern California:

“How L.A. Spawned the Cafeteria, for Better or Worse”

12:30            Christina Rice, Los Angeles Public Library, Photo Collection: 

“Hidden Photos of LA Public Library”

12:45            Leslie Kendall: Chief Curator, Petersen Automotive Museum

1:15             Keith Rice, Los Angeles United Methodist Museum of Social Justice:

“The Founding Members of La Plaza Church”

1:30             Venice Heritage Museum:

“Envisioning a Venice History Museum & Abbot Kinney's Dream”

1:45             Friends of Griffith Park:

“Anza National Historic Trail”

2:00             Amorette Crespo, La Plaza de Cultura y Artes:

                        “Forgotten Histories: A Place to Speak Freely”

2:15            Marc Wanamaker:  

“The first film studios in downtown Los Angeles and Boyle Heights”

2:30            Nathan Masters, USC Libraries/LA as Subject:

                        "Roots of LA: Trees & the History of LA"

2:45            Elizabeth Morin, City of Los Angeles Dept. of Cultural Affairs: 

“Los Angeles: The Big Read”

*subject to change

Celebrate Los Angeles at LA Heritage Day!

On Sunday, April 14, 2013, from 11am to 4pm the L.A. Heritage Alliance will host its Annual L.A. Heritage Day to share Los Angeles and Southern California’s history through tours, five museums, children’s activities, presentations, giveaways, food, and other activities. The entire event and all activities are free and will take place at the birthplace of Los Angeles and adjacent to world-famous Olvera Street, making for a full day of free history, fun, and entertainment.

“In an area sometimes perceived as having no ‘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 Southern California,” said Cindy Olnick, spokesperson for the Los Angeles Conservancy. “It’s also a chance to learn about the incredible variety of local preservation groups, museums, libraries, and historical societies serving people today throughout Los Angeles County.”

This year’s LA Heritage Day will feature a children’s activity area with activities from groups like the Chinese American Museum with a lantern-making workshop. Historic cars of LA will be on display from various museums, including the Petersen Automotive Museum. Twenty presentations will be given including talks on the history of the Pico House as told through its original guest book, culinary history of LA, and their favorite “piece” of LA History by special guests.

The diverse groups participating in this year's L.A. Heritage Day represent the native peoples of Los Angeles to cultural groups to geographically focused organizations from across Southern California. “With so many groups attending this event, there will be something for everyone.  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,” said Chris Espinosa, General Manager of El Pueblo Historical Monument.

L.A. Heritage Day takes place inside the historic Pico House and in the Plaza at El Pueblo Historical Monument (http://elpueblo.lacity.org/), 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 newly opened América Tropical Interpretive Center.

Parking is available in surrounding paid lots and attendees are also encouraged to bike or take public transportation:

Metro provides Bus and Rail transportation to L.A. Heritage Day located at the Plaza at El Pueblo de Los Angeles. Take the Metro Red, Purple, or Gold Lines to Union Station and walk across Alameda Street to El Pueblo Historical Monument. For your best route or more info, visit the Metro Trip Planner or call (323) Go Metro or (323.466.3876).

L.A. Heritage Day is Sunday, April 14, 2013 from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and is presented by the LA 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 LA City Councilman Tom LaBonge, the Los Angeles Department of Water & Power, and FutureStudio. 

LA Heritage Day Sponsor Announced

The LA Heritage Alliance is proud to announce a Silver Sponsor for LA Heritage Day: The Los Angeles Department of Water & Power. Celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Los Angeles Aquaduct in 2013, the LADWP is a strong partner and influences much of LA's history for over a century. We're proud to have them support this important community event that impacts organizations across LA. Make sure to thank them when you visit their booth on April 14th at LA Heritage Day!