Dr. Winter Award 2018
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The perfect setting for your many Blinn House Foundation wedding celebrations! Dr. Robert Winter Award Champagne Brunch HONORING Ellen and Harvey Knell 2018 Dr. Robert Winter Awardees Sunday, May 20, 2018 The Blinn House Home of the Women’s City Club of Pasadena 160 North Oakland Avenue Pasadena, CA 91101 Photography by Honey, Honey Photography (above left) and Eye Wander Photo (above right and bottom). Program Welcome Rachimah “Rae” Magnuson Executive Director Women’s City Club of Pasadena Introduction Brian Alan Baker President Blinn House Foundation In Memoriam Dr. Floraline Stevens Jeane Ward Former President Blinn House Foundation Presentation of Award Edward “Ted” Bosley James N. Gamble Director Gamble House 2007 Dr. Winter Awardee MomMom andand DadDad Awardees response Ellen and Harvey Knell CongratulationsCongratulations onon receivingreceiving thethe 2018 Dr. Winter Awardees Dr.Dr. RobertRobert WinterWinter Award!Award! Certificates of Recognition Mayor Terry Tornek Assemblyman Chris Holden WeWe’’rere soso proudproud ofof youyou andand Senator Anthony Portantino Congresswoman Judy Chu youryour accomplishments!accomplishments! Dr. Winter Comments Dr. Robert Winter Professor Emeritus and Author 2004 and 2014 Dr. Winter Awardee EdEd PeterPeter LorinLorin AnnieAnnie BeckyBecky AmyAmy Closing Remarks Brian Alan Baker GabrielGabriel President MiloMilo BenjaminBenjamin Blinn House Foundation AliceAlice RachaelRachael AviAvi The Dr. Robert Winter Award Since 2004, the Blinn House Foundation has recognized individuals within our community with the distinguished Dr. Robert Winter Award in acknowledgement of their commitment to our local history and preservation of our historic assets. About Dr. Robert Winter Dr. Robert Winter received his B.A. in 1947 from Dartmouth and his Ph.D. in 1957 from Johns Hopkins University. He settled at Occidental College in 1963, where he is now the Arthur G. Coons professor of the History of Ideas, Emeritus. Dr. Winter is probably best known as co-author of the Guide to Architecture in Los Angeles and Southern California, which has a reputation as the “bible” of L.A. architecture. In addition to his architectural guide to L.A., his publications include a guide to architecture of San Francisco and Northern California, and books including The California Bungalow, The Social History of Museum Space and Towards a Simpler Way of Life: The Arts and Crafts Architects of California. Dr. Winter participated in the development of the Cultural Heritage Ordinance of the City of Pasadena, one of the first in the State of California. He was a member of the first Commission established by the ordinance, which designated the Blinn House as Cultural Heritage Landmark No. 16 of the City of Pasadena in 1977. Past Dr. Robert Winter Awardees & Event Co-hosts 2004 Dr. Robert Winter 2011 Peyton Hall 2005 Claire Bogaard 2012 Dr. Robert Kneisel (dec) 2006 Sue Mossman John Merritt (dec) 2007 Edward Bosley 2013 John Ripley 2008 William W. Ellinger III 2014 Dr. Robert Winter 2009 Mic Hansen 2015 Timothy Gregory Congratulations Ellen and Harvey Knell 2010 Ann Scheid 2017 James Ipekjian Thank you for stewardship of one of Pasadena’s many architectural treasures! 2018 Dr. Robert Winter Awardees Ellen and Harvey Knell This year’s honorees, Harvey and Ellen Knell, were chosen in recognition of their contribution to historic preservation for the restoration of the 1907 Robert Roe Blacker House. By the time the Knells purchased the home in 1994, it was long suffering from deferred maintenance. Additionally, original Greene and Greene designed furniture, art glass, and lighting fixtures had been sold, and the surrounding gardens significantly reduced after portions of the original five acre estate were sold. One of the "Ultimate Bungalow" masterpieces by Greene and Greene clearly needed the intervention of these dedicated stewards. "It was immediately obvious when you walked in and saw the naked light bulbs. In a funny way, that was what motivated me to buy it. The house needed to be saved." said Ellen in an article published in Old House Interiors. With the help of many skilled craftsmen, including last year's Dr. Winter Award Honoree, Jim Ipekjian, they resurrected and restored the home to its original splendor. A Special “Thank You” to our Sponsors! Blinn House Foundation Stabilization Project For over 100 years, the western foundation of the Blinn House has been settling. —— Benefactor —— As a result there is noticeable damage to walls, windows, floors, and other features. Stabilization of the foundation under the Garden Room is necessary to Ellen and Harvey Knell prevent further damage. In late 2016, the Blinn House Foundation commissioned a geo-technical —— Sustainer —— investigation. The estimated cost to complete recommended actions is Brian Alan Baker approximately $250,000. This project cannot commence until all anticipated expenses have been secured. Claire Bogaard Your donation to the BHF helps to preserve and protect the Blinn House and ensure that it continues to be a unique place for non-profit organizations, business —— Supporter —— professionals, and thousands of women to gather for years to come. John Ripley Please see the donation card at your table for more details. Marcia and William W. Ellinger III We thank you! Blinn House Foundation Board of Directors John and Patricia Grisinger President Brian Alan Baker Mic Hansen Vice President Kirk Arnold Smith Treasurer William W. Ellinger III Marily and Marty Spiegel Secretary Shannon Cottrell-Bown Director Pauline Field —— Contributor —— The effects of the settling foundation have begun to cause Sue Mossman cracks in signature features of the Blinn House. The broken segmental arch found in the protruding bay windows in the master bedroom profoundly exhibits the impact. Dr. Floraline Stevens April 17, 1934 - January 15, 2018 Dr. Floraline Stevens, fondly known as “Flo”, was a member of the Women's City Club of Pasadena for over 15 years, and involved in many organizations that serve our local community. During her tenure with the Women’s City Club, Flo served on the Blinn House Foundation Board of Directors for over 10 years, first as President and then as Treasurer. She was passionate about preserving the Blinn House, and she was a significant factor in raising funds during her service on the BHF Board. This year we honor Flo and her dedication to the preservation of the Blinn House with a Memorial Tribute Fund. We miss Flo dearly, but her legacy lives on and will continue to be a shining example of a “Leading Lady” who was committed to her friends and family, her local community, and the preservation of a Pasadena Cultural Landmark. ——- Flo Stevens Memorial Tribute ——- Blinn House Foundation Board of Directors Brian Alan Baker Laurie Barlow Jan Carr Shannon Cottrell-Bown William W. Ellinger III Rose Lizcano Rachimah “Rae” Magnuson Dru Mauer Andrea Milam Charlotte Reith Norma Russel Ann Scheid Alice Shulman Bettie Sill Katy Townsend Jeane Ward Women’s City Club of Pasadena Board of Directors The Historic Blinn House The Edmund Blinn House was designed in 1905 by Chicago architect George Washington Maher. Incorporating characteristics of the Prairie Style, and Maher’s own Motif Rhythm Theory of repeating floral motifs and geometric features, the Blinn House’s features include art glass windows and a glass tile fireplace surround depicting a trailing wisteria, and hundreds of “broken” segmental arches. The inclusion of mahogany, oak, and Oregon pine interiors add to Maher’s unity of design. In 1941, Gloria Gartz, an heiress of the Crane Plumbing Company fortune, purchased the home from Mrs. Blinn, and in 1945, she and eight other forward- thinking women founded the Women’s City Club of Pasadena. Since 1945, the Women’s City Club of Pasadena has fulfilled a need within our local community by providing a unique and beautiful meeting space for non-profit organizations, women in leadership, business professionals, and individuals to connect, collaborate and celebrate life. In 1977 the Blinn House was designated as a Pasadena Cultural Heritage Landmark, and in 2001 it was listed on both the National Register of Historic Places and the California Register of Historic Resources. The Blinn House Foundation In 2002, members of the Women’s City Club of Pasadena formed the Blinn House Foundation as a vehicle to support fundraising, and address repair and preservation issues. Lead by a Board of Directors, that includes, but is not limited to members of the Club, fundraising is achieved through donations and events such as the Dr. Winter Award. The Blinn House also hosts guided tours for individuals and groups as part of its community outreach. The Blinn House Foundation is a California non-profit public benefit corporation, tax exempt under federal IRS section 501(c)(3) and corresponding California law. Contributions or gifts to the Foundation are tax-deductible as charitable contributions to the extent allowed by applicable law. .