Events Calendar
Welcome to the Windsor Square Hancock Park Historical Society Calendar. We look forward to seeing you at our upcoming events.
Larchmont Chronicle pioneer and historical society co-founder, Jane Gilman has written a book about what she knows best, Hancock Park. She puts Hancock Park into the palm of your hand with ease and grace. This is a sweet book that would be a great gift for the holidays. Each book will be purchased directly by us from Chevalier’s Bookstore and autographed by Jane, herself. Please think of friends and family who may like this sweet gift of Hancock Park for Christmas, Chanukah, birthdays, etc.
$30 + ($3 shipping) includes personalized book + presentation
$30 curb-side pick up of personalized book at Chevalier’s Bookstore
$10 for just Jane’s Zoom presentation
The
Hancock Park Windsor Square
Historical Society
PRESENTS
Inside Hancock Park
by Jane Gilman
December 16, 2020 @ 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Please join us in celebrating Jane’s new book wonderfully capturing the history of Hancock Park. Jane Gilman is the former president of the Historical Society and former longtime owner of our terrific local paper The Larchmont Chronicle. She was the first recipient of the Greater Miracle Mile Chamber of Commerce “Trailblazer Award” and our own local treasure.
$30 + ($3 shipping) includes personalized book + presentation
$30 curb-side pick up of personalized book at Chevalier’s Bookstore
$10 for just Jane’s Zoom presentation
(Pay below with a small Paypal fee)
Following your purchase you will receive your personal password to the presentation on the day of the event .
Please join us on April 21, 2021, 7pm.
Paul Revere Williams’s inspirational story has fascinated historians for the simple fact that his journey was so improbable. The orphan son of an African American fruit-and-vegetable merchant, he was repeatedly told he had no chance of ever realizing his childhood dream of becoming an architect. And yet, he ignored the naysayers to reach the pinnacle of his chosen profession, while overcoming widespread discrimination throughout early- to mid-twentieth century America. The odds against him succeeding were enormous.
$60 Hardcover copy of the book from Angel City Press
*$10 Presentation only – Members (Pay Below with small Paypal fee)
*$15 Presentation only – Non Members (Pay Below with small Paypal fee)
*Once you purchase your ticket you will be taken to a page with your zoom link to the event . That is your invite. Yay! Please bookmark that page, print that page or save that link as we will not be emailing out the zoom link.
Windsor Square Hancock Park Historical Society
And
Angel City Press
Present
Master Architects of Southern California 1920-1940: Paul R. Williams
by Marc Appleton, Stephen Gee, and Bret Parsons
April 21, 2021, 7pm
Master Architects of Southern California 1920-1940, a new twelve-volume series by Marc Appleton and Bret Parsons showcases the work of the Golden Era’s most important residential architects as originally featured in the earliest issues of The Architectural Digest. Featuring some of the earliest known photographs of the work of legendary architects, the series is devoted to the era when oil titans, film industry moguls, bankers, and successful entrepreneurs who were new to the region hired the most accomplished and talented architects they could find.
Wednesday, September 22nd. 7:00 PM. In 1933, “Fortune” magazine suggested to the American fashion industry that they could benefit from the showmanship demonstrated by the Hollywood designers in order to compete with the French couturiers. The Hollywood designer “Fortune” most praised was Adrian of M-G-M. It was a logical choice as Adrian’s design for Joan Crawford in the 1932 film “Letty Lynton” dominated the fashion industry for the next two years. Join us for Adrian, American Designer, Hollywood Original by Richard Matukonis-Adkins.
$10 Presentation only – Members (Pay Below with small Paypal fee)*
$15 Presentation only – Non Members (Pay Below with small Paypal fee)*
$55 Presentation and electronic book, Member price (Pay Below with small Paypal fee)
$60 Presentation and electronic book, Non-Member price (Pay Below with small Paypal fee)
Purchase e-book or additional e-books separately
*After your purchase you will be emailed the special presentation link by 6pm the day before the presentation and by 12pm on the day of the presentation.
The Windsor Square Hancock Park Historical Society
presents
Adrian, American Designer, Hollywood Original
with author Richard Matukonis-Adkins
Please join us Wednesday, September 22nd. 7:00 PM
Despite offers to go into the retail business as early as 1928, Adrian did not enter the commercial fashion world until 1942, after leaving M-G-M, but taking his fame with him. In 1944 he would win the prestigious Coty Award for fashion design. One of the reasons he did so was his innovative Trompe l’oiel painted imagery on fabric, a tasteful solution to the L-85 fabric restrictions of World War II. So proud of the award was Adrian that he added the line “American Designer” to all his advertisements in the prestigious fashion magazines.
By 1952, he had achieved all his dreams. He was famous, successful, married to a lovely woman, movie star Janet Gaynor, father to a son, Robin, had traveled to Africa, and was working happily in fashion, theatre, and fine art. Unfortunately, a weak heart demanded he give up his fashion business. His “retirement” however, was hardly inactive.
Attendance at a film festival in Brazil in 1952 led the Adrians to build – by hand – a home outside the new capital of Brasilia. They spent half their year in Brazil and half in Los Angeles. Janet made a return to movies in 1957, and Adrian designed his first stage production since 1924, a musical version of his film hit “Grand Hotel”. Dual offers came to Janet and Adrian to continue theatrical work, her to star in “Midnight Sun” with Arthur Hill, and for Adrian to design for the musical which became “Camelot” and for which he was awarded a posthumous Tony Award, shared with Tony Duquette, who completed the production after Adrian suddenly died three months into the assignment.
The nostalgia boom began just a few years after Adrian’s passing, but the surviving pieces of his film work were soon commanding high prices at auctions, with the Judy Garland-worn ruby slippers becoming the most valuable of all movie artifacts. Also, his couturier work began to be presented in museum exhibitions all over the world.
According to their son, Robin, neither Janet nor Adrian dwelt in the past. He would probably be a little surprised at the attention his work still receives, but would nonetheless be pleased about it, I’m sure.
I have studied Adrian and his work for the last two decades, with the result being my book, “Adrian – American Designer, Hollywood Original” and I am pleased to be able to share new information with those familiar with his work and to introduce him to new audiences who know the designer, but not as much about the man.
WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 27TH, 7:00 PM Clete Keith never had thoughts of writing a book, let alone one on the paranormal. He was not someone totally convinced of the existence of ghosts or spiritual hauntings-until he started working at Greystone Mansion in Beverly Hills. After twenty-two years working at the mansion, he woke up one night with the idea of writing a book about the stories he has heard as well as his own experiences. Ghosts of Greystone – Beverly Hills is a landmark exposé of eyewitness accounts detailing supernatural activity associated with this extraordinary location.
$10 Presentation only – Members (Pay Below with small Paypal fee)*
$15 Presentation only – Non Members (Pay Below with small Paypal fee)*
$44 Presentation and autographed hardcover book including shipping, Member price (Pay Below with small Paypal fee)*
$49 Presentation and autographed hardcover book including shipping, Non-Member price (Pay Below with small Paypal fee*
*After your purchase you will be emailed the special presentation link by 6pm the day before the presentation and by 12pm on the day of the presentation.
Purchase book or additional books separately
The Windsor Square Hancock Park Historical Society
presents
GHOSTS OF GREYSTONE – BEVERLY HILLS
with author Clete Keith
Please join us WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 27TH, 7:00 PM
Having been approached by many guests, patrons, and employees over the years, Keith has heard it all. “Two tourists walked up to me and asked how they could get inside the mansion for the tour. When I told them the interior is closed to the public one replied, ‘Oh, because we saw a man in period clothing staring out the window and we thought he was part of the tour.’” This marks just one encounter of 237 paranormal stories documented at Greystone Mansion. Keith spent nearly three years researching the supernatural activity at the estate. With 86 interviews, including guests of the park, City staff, police officers, movie crew personnel, and janitorial services, Ghosts of Greystone – Beverly Hills promises you a riveting history and ghostly encounters. For more than two decades, the mystery surrounding the strange events taking place in and around Greystone Mansion has been suppressed, ignored, and disbelieved. Along with rare photographs and intriguing details about the landscape and architecture, Keith delves into the family of Ned and Lucy Doheny, including the fateful murder/suicide on the night of February 16, 1929, and other unfortunate deaths that surround these enigmatic grounds that may have stoked the paranormal fire of activity. “People from all over the world come to visit this iconic location. They want to peek behind the curtain and observe this ghostly estate for themselves. Ghosts of Greystone – Beverly Hills will allow them to do just that.”
Sunday, December 12th, 5 – 7pm. Please save the date to join us for our annual Holiday Party at the Landmark Home of Joseph Guidera.
**SOLD OUT**
5pm – 7pm
303 North June Street
$45 for Members
$55 for Member’s Guests
Open to members and guests who have been vaccinated
May 22nd, 12-3pm. Daniel Orlandi is an American costume designer whose work can be seen in a wide variety of films such as: Saving Mr. Banks, The Blind Side, Trumbo, Cinderella Man, Angels and Demons, The Davinci Code, The Normal Heart, Down with Love, etc. He has been nominated for several costume awards including a BAFTA, an Emmy, and a Costume Designers Guild Award for Excellence in a Period Film.
Members: $35
Non-Members: $45
Windsor Square Hancock Park Historical Society
Presents
An Afternoon with Costume Designer Daniel Orlandi
May 22nd, 12-3pm
511 S. Van Ness Ave.
Please mark your calendars to join your fellow members of the Historical Society for our annual holiday party on Sunday, December 11th at 1:00. This year we will be enjoying the festivities at the much-loved 100-year-old Tam O’Shanter in Atwater Village. This was Walt Disney’s favorite place for lunch and the plaque on table 31 is a testament to it. Roast beef, Yorkshire pudding, fresh salmon, roasted chicken, Martinis and rum toddies, etc.
Sunday, December 11th at 1:00
Tam O’Shanter
2980 Los Feliz Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90039
Festive all year long and especially this time of year.
Members: $75
Guests: $85
Please join us for our annual Holiday Christmas Party at world-famous Lawry’s Prime Rib this year. The original location was on Restaurant Row on La Cienega Boulevard in Beverly Hills, California, and was opened in 1938 by Lawrence L. “Lawry” Frank and Walter Van de Kamp. It now has restaurants all over the world.
Please bring a Toys For Tots gift.
Member and guests: $125 (with a small Paypal fee)
Our Holiday dinner will be in the Oval Room, can hold up to 100 and includes:
PLATED HORS D’OEUVRES
Potato Pancakes with Caviar & Creme Fraiche
SALAD COURSE
Lawry’s Famous Original Spinning Bowl Salad
Crisp romaine, iceberg lettuce, baby spinach, shredded beets, chopped eggs, croutons, Lawry’s Vintage Dressing, with sourdough bread
ENTREE SELECTIONS
The server will take orders for the choice of one at dinner
Roasted Prime Ribs of Beef
8 oz. Cut Carved to order, served with mashed potatoes, Yorkshire pudding,au jus, whipped cream horseradish
Choice of:
Creamed Spinach
Creamed Corn
Salmon Rockefeller
Skuna Bay salmon, sautéed spinach, scampi shrimp
Crispy Roasted Chicken
Half of a jidori bird, wilted chard
Vegetarian Entrée of the Day
DESSERTS
Vanilla Ice with hot fudge ( no berries)
Classic Dinner
Includes freshly brewed Lavazza Coffee or Harney & Sons Hot Tea
For more on the rich delicious history of Lawry’s go here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lawry%27s_The_Prime_Rib
.