Events Calendar
Welcome to the Windsor Square Hancock Park Historical Society Calendar. We look forward to seeing you at our upcoming events.
Please join us on May 12, 2021 at 7pm.
Five generations of Judsons have worked with artists, architects, and designers to create Old World-style stained glass whose quality and craftsmanship has often been compared to the work of Louis Tiffany. Famed for its Craftsman glass, Judson arts-and-crafts era windows have been celebrated by experts in the field for decades. Judson’s work with Frank Lloyd Wright on Hollyhock House in the 1920s was recently re-saluted when the house was named to the UNESCO World Heritage Sites list. Established in Pasadena during the heyday of the Arroyo Culture, headquarters of Judson Studios are still housed in the original Craftsman-era home and studio of patriarch William Lees Judson.
*$10 Presentation only – Members (Pay Below with small Paypal fee)
*$15 Presentation only – Non Members (Pay Below with small Paypal fee)
$76 Presentation and hardcover book including shipping, Member price.
$81 Presentation and hardcover book including shipping, Non-Member price.
*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.
And
Angel City Press
Present
Judson: Innovation in Stained Glass
by David Judson
May 12, 2021 at 7pm
JUDSON: Innovation in Stained Glass by David Judson and Steffie Nelson is a history of the world-renowned family of artisans who began crafting stained glass windows in Los Angeles in 1897.
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 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