June 2008 Newsletter G.Indd
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Santa Monica Conservancy ensuring that the past has a future Vol 6 No 2 June 2008 neighborhood Profile whither adelaide? By Ruthann Lehrer Those of you who attended the Santa Monica Conservancy’s May 4th tour on Adelaide Drive have observed the mixture of old and new, historic and modern, that today stands on that street. Tour-goers were invited to visit the inte- riors of three of the most historic homes on the street, and to note that four of the early historic homes are designated as Santa Monica Land- marks. The earliest development on Adelaide took place beginning in 1906, shortly after this tract Above: Christopher Isherwood and Don Bachardy on the patio of their home on Adelaide Drive which was of land was annexed to the city of Santa Mon- included in a painting by their good friend David Hockney. ica. Homes were constructed by wealthy and eminent business leaders – Roy Jones, son of “chris & don, a love story” by Sherrill Kushner the city’s co-founder, Senator John P. Jones; at the aero: bachardy reception: Robert Gillis, owner of the Santa Monica wednesday, june 25 sunday, june 29 Land and Water Company; Isaac Milbank and The Santa Monica Conservancy will host its On Sunday, June 29th , the Conservancy will Henry Weaver, both powerful captains of in- third Aero Theatre screening/fundraiser with host an exclusive reception at the extraordinary dustry. The great Craftsman homes of Adelaide the showing of “Chris & Don: A Love Story,” Santa Monica Canyon home of Don Bachardy belong to this phase of development. With a the true-life story of the Santa Monica icons, on Adelaide Drive. Isherwood and Bachardy lull around the First World War years, develop- British writer Christopher Isherwood (whose fi rst met on the beach in the 1950s. ment resumed in 1919 with the Spanish Colo- Berlin Stories was the basis for the much-be- Their home on Adelaide Drive, nestled in nial Revival home at 316 Adelaide, constructed loved Cabaret) and his partner, the American the hillside of Santa Monica Canyon, became by Henry M. Gorham, a relative and business painter Don Bachardy. the gathering place for artists, writers, musi- associate of Roy Jones , who by then had moved The documentary fi lm covers Isherwood’s cians, and Hollywood celebrities. Colorful away to Los Angeles. This launched an era of years in Weimar-era Germany (the inspira- paintings and intriguing portraits fi ll every space constructing period revival homes, with Span- tion for his most famous work) to his meeting on the walls from the living room to the bed- ish Colonial Revival, Italianate/Mediterranean, Bachardy and their three-decade life together rooms. One corridor, called “Hockney Hall,” and French Norman appearing on the street wherein each nourished the other in their artis- is covered with paintings by artist and friend through 1930. Famous local architect John tic endeavors. Bachardy’s contemporary remi- David Hockney. Even in the small tiled kitchen Byers was responsible for two homes on Ad- at the aero continued on page 3 party with bachardy continued on page 3 elaide...neither of which have survived today. Today, new construction dots the street, in a variety of architectural styles from neo-Spanish Colonial Revival to International Style to Eclec- tic. A mix of old and new is typical of urban development everywhere, but the question for the future is, will the historic structures survive? The 1983 city cultural resource survey found that 22 structures on Adelaide could be con- sidered “contributing” structures to a potential historic district...meaning that they retained their historic architectural features from their time of Some participants on the recent SMC Adelaide Tour enjoy the view on the terrace of the Bishop Conaty House. construction. In 2008, it is more diffi cult to fi nd continued on page 6 www.smconservancy.org page 2 the conservancy Approved at the January Meeting mission statement for the board of directors santa monica conservancy Our board comes from neighborhoods he Santa Monica Conservancy works to promote widespread understanding throughout the city and includes: Tand appreciation of the cultural, social, economic and environmental benefi ts of historic preservation. Through educational programs, assistance and advocacy, Carol Lemlein, President the Conservancy reinforces the importance of preserving the historic resources of Susan McCarthy, Vice President Santa Monica’s unique urban landscape. David Kaplan, Secretary Tom Cleys, Treasurer Marcello Vavala, Past President meet the president by Judy Parsons including growing the membership base, champi- oning historic preservation as a sustainable prac- Joel Brand tice, working with the city of Santa Monica to de- Ken Breisch velop improved incentives for preservation, and Bruce Cameron renovating the shotgun house as a preservation resource center. These are my marching orders” Mike Deasy she laughed. Michael W. Folonis, FAIA As she began her term as president, Carol Nina Fresco wanted to acknowledge others who volunteer Sherrill Kushner their time to the Conservancy. “ I want to thank Marcello Vavala, Past President and Mike Deasy, Ruthann Lehrer former Vice President for their leadership. I am Nancy O’Neill very grateful to them and to all the Board mem- John Zinner bers who continue to serve for all the hard work Carol Lemlein didn’t actually run for president and untold hours they devote to helping the Con- of the Santa Monica Conservancy. “It was more servancy make an impact in historic preservation Membership Dues like I was drafted.” Carol was approached by in Santa Monica.” Individual Membership $35 several board members inquiring if she would be During her three years with the Conservancy, interested in the presidency. She was. Carol was elected to the board in 2007, and Household Membership $45 As president, Carol has a mission. “I see 2008 served as secretary. She has been an active mem- Low Income Membership $15 beginning a major transition from a successful ber of the program committee and co-founder of start-up group to an organization capable of even the popular downtown walking tour. Sustaining Membership $100 greater impact on the community. Last year, the A profi le on Carol appeared in the July 2006 Conservancy Supporter $250 board defi ned strategies to achieve our mission, issue of this newsletter. Those interested in supporting the Conservancy at the highest Patron or Circle city photo quiz levels can learn more by calling our phone number at (310) 496-3146. The News Staff Alice Allen Dick Orton Ruthann Lehrer Nina Fresco Sherrill Kushner Judy Parsons how to contact |the santa monica conservancy Phone us at (310) 496-3146 -and leave a message Website www.smconservancy.org. do you know where this was? E-mail [email protected] This is a little corner of Santa Monica in the mid 1960s and though there are some buildings remaining from those days, the scene looks very different today. Do you know where this was? Mail address: Santa Monica Conservancy See page 7 for the same view today. P.O.Box 653 Santa Monica, CA 90046 page 3 bachardy reception continued from pg. 1 there hangs a 1954 self-portrait by Tennessee Williams, the only one in existence, a gift from the writer. Built in 1925 by Frank Bundy, an early Santa Monica real estate developer, the house overlooks the canyon and beyond to the ocean. Bachardy continues to live there (Isherwood died in 1986). Eventually the house will serve as a writers’ retreat, to be run by the Christo- pher Isherwood Foundation, inspired by the legendary talent that lived there. More details will following in a special mail- ing about these events. Mark your calendar for the screening of “Chris & Don: A Love Story” on Wednesday Christopher Don June 25 and the exclusive reception on Isherwood Bachardy Sunday, June 29. at the aero continued from page 1 niscences are artfully interspersed with archi- Love Story is above all a joyful celebration 1939, the Aero Theatre was originally opened val footage, rare home movies (with glimpses of a most extraordinary couple.The Conser- as a continuous 24-hour movie theater for air- of famous pals W.H. Auden, Igor Stravinsky vancy will present the film at the Aero The- craft workers who worked in shifts around the and Tennessee Williams) and reenactments. ater on Wednesday, June 25 at 7:30 p.m. clock. After a brief closing, the Aero reopened With Isherwood’s status as an out-and- Bachardy and the documentary filmmakers, in January, 2005 by the American Cinema- proud gay maverick, and Bachardy’s eventual Guido Santi and Tina Mascara, will answer theque after a $1 million dollar restoration artistic triumph away from the considerable questions following the film. which saved some original features of the in- shadow of his life partner, Chris & Don: A Built by the Donald Douglas Company in terior and exterior. fall fundraiser september 21 By Ruthann Lehrer We are privileged to invite our members to attend an exclusive fund-raising event, a tour and reception at artist Miriam Wosk’s beautiful home and studio on Adelaide Drive. Originally built in 1926 as a traditional Mediterranean house, it was remodeled in 2000, by award- winning architect Steven Ehrlich. Renovations and additions include the artist’s studio, a spa- cious light-filled work room where you can see the work in progress. The interiors have been transformed into a captivating artistic environ- ment by the owner including mosaic fireplaces, colorful glass and Art Deco chandeliers, sculp- tural furniture, black and white photography and unique ceramic collectables. Paintings created by Ms. Wosk and many other artists, will make visiting this home a very special experience at this rarely open private Marion Woskʼs home/studio blend traditional Mediterranean with a spacious, light-filled modern studio addition.