Discussion: History and Preservation of 1960s Cultural Landscapes

Union Bank Plaza landscape by Garrett Eckbo. Photo courtesy The Cultural Landscape Foundation.

Wednesday, March 24, 7:30 p.m.
The Proud Bird Restaurant
11022 South Aviation Boulevard, Westchester

Tickets available at the door: $15 for Conservancy members, $20 for the general public, and $5 for students

The Los Angeles Conservancy is proud to partner with The Cultural Landscape Foundation to present an expert discussion of the history and preservation of 1960s cultural landscapes. Our special guests are Charles Birnbaum and Alan Hess (see below).

Los Angeles boasts a wealth of ex­ceptional landscape architecture from the 1960s, including master works by such famed designers as Thomas Church and Garrett Eckbo. As with historic buildings, cultural landscapes reveal aspects of our region’s his­tory and development, and reflect our evolving relationships with the natural world. These works of art express our regional identity, particularly in sunny Southern California. Ultimately, these landscapes are an important part of our built environment and a vital facet of the historic preservation movement.

The Frey House in Palm Springs. Photo courtesy The Cultural Landscape Foundation.

Charles A. Birnbaum, FASLA, FAAR, is the founder and president of The Cultural Landscape Foundation, a nonprofit that seeks to increase the public’s awareness of U.S. landscapes. Mr. Birnbaum has authored and edited numerous works, including Preserving Modern Landscape Architecture. He will speak on the significance of sixties cultural landscapes and the importance of their thoughtful stewardship.

Alan Hess is a preeminent author­ity on the mid-twentieth-century archi­tectural history of Southern California. As a practicing architect and historian, Mr. Hess documents the emerging suburban metropolises of the West. His many books include Googie Redux: Ultramodern Roadside Architecture. He will particularly address the integration of sixties architecture with cultural landscapes.

The program begins at 7:30 p.m. and will be held at The Proud Bird Restaurant (1967) in Westchester, a site on the Conservancy's 2009 It's a Mod, Mod, Mod, Mod City tour. Admission is $15 for Conservancy members, $20 for the general public, and $5 for students. Tickets will be available at the door. Light refreshments will be served following the program.