Events Calendar
Welcome to the Windsor Square Hancock Park Historical Society Calendar. We look forward to seeing you at our upcoming events.
Bunker Hill Los Angeles: Essence of Sunshine and Noir
In Bunker Hill Los Angeles: Essence of Sunshine and Noir, historian Nathan Marsak tells the story of the Hill, from the district’s inception in the mid-19th century to its present day. Once home to wealthy Angelenos living in LA’s “first suburb,” then the epicenter of the city’s shifting demographics and the shadow and vice of an urban underbelly, Bunker Hill survived its attempted erasure and burgeoned as a hub of arts, politics, business, and tourism.
$40 signed book Bunker Hill Los Angeles: Essence of Sunshine and Noir by Nathan Marsak. Click here to Purchase
$10 Presentation only – Members (Pay Below with small Paypal fee)
$15 Presentation only – Non Members (Pay Below with small Paypal fee)
Windsor Square Hancock Park Historical Society
And
Angel City Press
present
Bunker Hill Los Angeles:
Essence of Sunshine and Noir
by Nathan Marsak
Please join us February 17th at 7:00pm
As compelling as the story of the destruction of Bunker Hill is its people who made the Hill at once desirable and undesirable. Marsak commemorates the poets and writers, artists and activists, little guys and big guys, and of course, the many architects who built and rebuilt the community on the Hill—time after historic time.
Any fan of American architecture will treasure Marsak’s analysis of buildings that have crowned the Hill: the exuberance of Victorian shingle and spindlework, from Mission to Modern, from Queen Anne to Frank Gehry, Bunker Hill has been home to it all, the ever-changing built environment.
With more than 150 photographs—many in color—as well as maps and vintage ephemera to tell his dramatic visual story, Marsak lures us into Bunker Hill Los Angeles and shares its lost world, then guides us to its new one.
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.
Sunday July 31st, 1-5pm. Please join us at the historical Gilmore Adobe on Sunday, July 31st, from 1:00 to 5:00 for our Annual Meeting and barbecue. The Gilmore Adobe was built in 1852 and is located in that mysterious space at The Grove hidden behind tall walls, beautiful gardens, and colorful peacocks. Wedged between Maggiano’s, the former home of Wood Ranch, and Umami Burger the Gilmore Adobe is beautifully preserved and is one of the oldest homes in Los Angeles. It has served the Gilmore family since Arthur Gilmore purchased the house and surrounding 256 acres in 1880. Guests will have full access to the charming museums and on the grounds of the adobe. We will have a guest speaker and food and wine will be served.
SOLD OUT
Members – $55*
Non-Members – $65*
Sunday, July 31st 1:00pm to 5:00pm
Gilmore Adobe, Charming museums and on the grounds, Guest speaker
6333 W. Third Street, Los Angeles, 90036
Sunday, September 11 at 10:00 the gates of Greystone Manor open. Soon afterward at 10:30 Ghosts Of Greystone author, Clete Keith will take 20 Historical Society members on a special guided “ghost tour” of the Mansion. Clete Keith worked at Greystone for 20 years and his book is based on his experiences as well as his interviews with others. This is not an architectural tour of Greystone. Those who come at 10:00 will experience the beautiful gardens leading up to the house and will then meet in the courtyard of the mansion.
$25 Members Only
SOLD OUT
Sunday, September 11th
10am
905 Loma Vista Drive. Beverly Hills
Parking is in the upper parking lot.
Please wear comfortable shoes for there are a lot of steps and no elevators involved with this tour.
No food or drinks are allowed inside the Manor.
Saturday, November 5th, 2022 from 11:00 to 3:00, Please join us for the continuation of the Windsor Square~Hancock Park Historical Society home tour. This annual event was put on a two-year hiatus because of the pandemic and is now back. This year’s home tour features a selection of century-old houses on one of Hancock Park’s premier streets, Rimpau Boulevard. Join us as these generous homeowners open their seldomly seen houses for you. There will be food and refreshments as well as a silent auction. Three of the homes were designed by renowned architect Gordon Kaufmann.
Member tickets are $65 (+ a small Paypal fee)
Non-Members $75 (+ a small Paypal fee)
Food and Refreshments Silent Auction
Saturday, November 5th, 2022 from 11:00 to 3:00
Location will be provided with the purchase of your ticket
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
*This event is SOLD OUT*
You are cordially invited to attend
THE WINDSOR SQUARE HANCOCK PARK HISTORICAL SOCIETY
ANNUAL TEA
Sunday, February 26th, 2023
1pm – 4pm
Wilshire Country Club
301 North Rossmore
Special Guest
Councilwoman Katy Young Yaroslavsky
Guest Speaker
Photographer & Author Tom Zimmerman
Spectacular Illumination: Neon Los Angeles 1925-1965
Come to a guided tour of a very special place by museum owner Carrie Siegel.
The Windsor Square Hancock Park Historical Society
Invites you to join fellow members on a short voyage to Glendale to The Museum of Neon Art.
Sunday, April 16th at 1:00pm
Members: $10
Non Members: $15
Admission + Tom Ziimmerman’s book of historic L.A. neon Spectacular Illumination: $30
Limit 30 People (so get your tickets today)
216 S. Brand Blvd., Glendale, CA. 91204
Convenient parking at The Americana right across the street
No host lunch following at either Shake Shack or In and Out Burger following. Both a short walk from the museum.
The Windsor Square Hancock Park Historical Society
Presents
A Tree Walking Tour with The Urban Lumberjack
Members: $25
Non Members: $35
Saturday May 6th 10:00 am
More info at TheUrbanLumberjack.com
Limited to 30 People
Comfortable shoes are suggested for walking
Saturday June 3rd. Five Gardens within
Windsor Square and Fremont Place
Starting at 355 S. Windsor Boulevard
Enjoy Six Gardens, Plant Sales & Silent Auction
Refreshments will be served
Members: $45
Non-Members: $55
The Windsor Square Hancock Park Historical Society
Presents
A Secret Garden Tour
Saturday, June 3rd 2023
1:00 to 5:00 PM
TICKETS CAN BE PURCHASED IN PERSON AT 355 SO. WINDSOR BLVD.
355 S. Windsor Boulevard is ground zero for A Secret Garden Tour. At this location will be the reception desk where guests and docents will receive their wristbands. This is also where you can pay by credit card, cash, or check for admittance to the tour. This location also has a plant sale, food and refreshments, and a silent auction.