For Immediate Release Contact: John Bwarie, 213-247-3993 / [email protected] L.A. HERITAGE DAY CELEBRATES SOUTHLAND’S COLORFUL, DIVERSE HISTORY Free Event Includes 500 Years of Fascinating Facts, 250 Organizations, and 7 Museums Sunday, April 27, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historical Monument, Downtown Los Angeles (LOS ANGELES April 8, 2014) – On Sunday, April 27, 2014, from 11am to 4pm the L.A. Heritage Alliance will host the sixth Annual L.A. Heritage Day to share Los Angeles and Southern California’s history through tours, free museums, children’s activities, presentations, food, and more. The entire event and all activities are free and will take place at the birthplace of Los Angeles, adjacent to world-famous Olvera Street inside the Pico House making for a full day of history, food, and fun. “In a region sometimes perceived as lacking ‘real’ history, L.A. Heritage Day is an opportunity for people to learn about and enjoy the fascinating people, places, and events that have shaped our history,” said John Bwarie, Founder of the L.A. Heritage Alliance. “We are joining together to show the diversity of our history and breadth of those heritage groups serving people today throughout Los Angeles County.” More than seventy heritage groups will have booths and activities in and around the historic Pico House. The diverse range of groups represents the native peoples of Los Angeles, cultural groups, preservation organizations, geographically focused organizations from across Southern California, and more. Attendees can also visit seven free museums on site, from the oldest house in Los Angeles to LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes and América Tropical Interpretive Center. Also featured is the “L.A. Heat” exhibit at the Chinese American Museum. This year’s L.A. Heritage Day will feature an expanded children’s activity area with activities from photo booths to craft making. A dozen experts will make free presentations on topics ranging from Leo Politi (noted artist who captured the communities in and around Olvera Street) to Hollywoodland and the world’s most famous sign to the history (and importance) of L.A.’s Backyard BBQs, among many others. Costumed historians and reactors will be entertain attendees, historic cars will be on display, and entertainment will fill the plaza. “With so many groups attending this event, there will be something for everyone,” said Chris Espinosa, General Manager of El Pueblo Historical Monument. “The legacy of the Mexican, Chinese, Italian, Spanish and African immigrant communities, along with our region's indigenous people, will be honored for their role in making Los Angeles the diverse metropolis it is today.” L.A. Heritage Day takes place inside the historic Pico House and in the Plaza at El Pueblo Historical Monument (http://elpueblo.lacity.org/) at 424 N Main St, Los Angeles, CA 90012, adjacent to Olvera Street and across the street from Union Station in downtown Los Angeles. El Pueblo is the birthplace of L.A., the site of the early pueblo where the city was founded in 1781. Special tours of Olvera Street, Avila Adobe, Chinese American Museum, and Plaza Firehouse Museum will be available, as well as the Museum of Social Justice. 1 Parking is available in surrounding paid lots, and attendees are also encouraged to bike or take public transportation. Metro provides Bus and Rail transportation via the Metro Red, Purple, or Gold Lines to Union Station, just across Alameda Street from El Pueblo Historical Monument. For best route or more info, visit the Metro Trip Planner at metro.net or call (323) Go Metro (466.3876). You can also plan your visit via experiencela.com/laheritage. L.A. Heritage Day is presented by the L.A. Heritage Alliance and El Pueblo Historical Monument, in association with the El Pueblo Park Association (EPPA). Admission is free, including tours and activities. The event is made possible through support from the Office of L.A. City Councilman Tom LaBonge and Future Studio Los Angeles. Current L.A. Heritage Day Participants include: African American Firefighter Museum African American Pioneer Society Alhambra Preservation Group American Cinematheque Angels Flight® Railway Arcadia Historical Society Art Deco Society of Los Angeles Beverly Hills Heritage Campo de Cahuenga Historical Memorial Association Chinese American Museum Chinese Historical Society of Southern California City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs Conference of California Historical Societies Culinary Historians of Southern California Dominguez Rancho Adobe Museum Eagle Rock Valley Historical Society El Pueblo Park Association (EPPA) Filipino American Museum of Culture & History Friends of Banning Museum Friends of Griffith Park Friends of the Michael White Adobe Gabrieleno Band of Mission Indians - Kizh Nation Genealogical Society of Hispanic America - Southern California Heritage Square Museum Highland Park Heritage Trust Historical Society of Centinela Valley Historical Society of Southern California Hollywood Chapter - Daughters of the American Revolution Hollywood Heritage Italian American Museum of Los Angeles LA as Subject LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes Lanterman House Las Angelitas del Pueblo Leonis Adobe Museum Little Landers Historical Society Little Tokyo Historical Society Long Beach Heritage Museum 2 Los Angeles City Historical Society Los Angeles Conservancy Los Angeles Historic Theatre Foundation Los Encinos Docent Association Los Pobladores 200 Lummis Day Community Foundation Manhattan Beach-Cultural Heritage Conservancy Monrovia Historic Preservation Group Muckenthaler Cultural Center Mural Conservancy of Los Angeles Museum of Social Justice Museum of the San Fernando Valley Pasadena Heritage Photo Friends of the Los Angeles Public Library Point Fermin Lighthouse Society Public Art Initiative, The Museum of the San Fernando Valley Rancho Los Cerritos Historic Site SAH/SCC - Society of Architectural Historians, Southern California Chapter San Fernando Valley Historical Society San Marino Historical Society Santa Monica Conservancy Santa Monica History Museum Soldados y Californios de SoCal Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War Southern California Genealogical Society Topanga Historical Society USC Pacific Asia Museum Venice Heritage Foundation Venice Historical Society West Adams Heritage Association West Hollywood Preservation Alliance Western Educators, Shooters & Troopers Yesteryears Dancers For an updated list of participating groups or for more information and updates, visit https://www.facebook.com/LosAngelesHeritage. About the L.A. Heritage Alliance The L.A. Heritage Alliance was formed in 2008 to unify and leverage the efforts of more than 250 organizations in Greater Los Angeles dedicated to preserving this area’s rich history. The Alliance works throughout the year with organizations to help create relevance provide resources and develop the capacity of the region's historic network. # # # 3 .