Andrea Thabet, Ph.D. historic preservation, LACMA, Los Angeles, Los Angeles Times, Museums, Uncategorized

Who Was Mary Louise Schmidt?

In 1936, little-known housing advocate and shrewd businesswoman Mary Louise Schmidt organized what might be the most significant architecture show of the 20th century — right here in Los Angeles. Long before the celebrated Case Study House program of the postwar years, Schmidt utilized her extensive knowledge of the architectural industry and new federal housing policy … Continue reading Who Was Mary Louise Schmidt?

Andrea Thabet, Ph.D. Bunker Hill, Civic Leadership, Dorothy Chandler, Future of Cities, LA Music Center, LA Politics, Los Angeles, Los Angeles Times, Museums, urban renewal

Channeling Dorothy Chandler: Voices From the Past and the Future of Los Angeles

Dorothy Chandler (1922-1997) was arguably the most powerful woman in Los Angeles during the 1960s - presiding over the city's most elite social circles, and appearing on the cover of Time Magazine in honor of her unprecedented cultural fundraising efforts. Yet, few Angelenos know who she is other than a name on a Music Center building downtown. So why … Continue reading Channeling Dorothy Chandler: Voices From the Past and the Future of Los Angeles

Andrea Thabet, Ph.D. Bunker Hill, CicLAvia, Civic Leadership, Committee of 25, Future of Cities, LA Music Center, LA Politics, LA River, LACMA, Los Angeles, Los Angeles Times, Uncategorized, urban renewal

Is L.A. Designed to Work?

Outgoing L.A. Deputy Mayor Rick Cole recently remarked that "L.A. is not designed to work." Could he be right? Is L.A. too big for true civic engagement? Or do projects like CicLAvia and the L.A. River Revitalization prove this contention wrong? Before I delve into my opinion regarding this question, let me provide a little context for Cole's remark. … Continue reading Is L.A. Designed to Work?

Andrea Thabet, Ph.D. Chavez Ravine, Civic Leadership, Dodger Stadium, Elysian Park, Grace Simons, historic preservation, LA Convention Center, LA Politics, Los Angeles, Los Angeles Dodgers, Los Angeles Times, Recreation and Parks, Uncategorized, urban renewal

The Day Angelenos Lost Elysian Park…Almost

March 10, 1965: The L.A. City Council votes in favor of a proposal to construct a convention center and exhibit hall in Elysian Park, on 63 acres of the park's most popular play and picnic grounds, which include the recreation lodge and the Avenue of the Palms. At the Council Meeting, retired journalist Grace E. Simons vehemently … Continue reading The Day Angelenos Lost Elysian Park…Almost

Andrea Thabet, Ph.D. Bunker Hill, Civic Leadership, Committee of 25, Dorothy Chandler, LA Music Center, LA Philharmonic, LA Politics, Los Angeles, Los Angeles Times, Uncategorized, urban renewal

The L.A. Music Center Turns 50!

 The Music Center is…both highly accessible and highly visible, giving Los Angeles a new visual axis….the center is recognized as a milestone in the city’s cultural aspirations….[making the city] a new center of culture that has passed Chicago and is getting ready to challenge New York. [1]  - Time Magazine, 1964 Los Angeles…is a center of … Continue reading The L.A. Music Center Turns 50!

Andrea Thabet, Ph.D. Chavez Ravine, Civic Leadership, Committee of 25, Dodger Stadium, Elysian Park, Grace Simons, LA Convention Center, LA Politics, Los Angeles, Los Angeles Dodgers, Los Angeles Times, Recreation and Parks, Uncategorized, urban renewal

The L.A. Convention Center in Elysian Park? The Importance of Studying ‘Never Built’ Projects

This week's post was written for a guest blog post on American Planning Association-L.A. section's blog, found here.  What if the L.A. City Council had followed through with a plan to build a convention center in Elysian Park? What would the park look like today? How would it have affected traffic, especially during baseball season? And what … Continue reading The L.A. Convention Center in Elysian Park? The Importance of Studying ‘Never Built’ Projects

Andrea Thabet, Ph.D. LAPL Central Library, Los Angeles, Los Angeles Times, Uncategorized

The best photography collection in Los Angeles?

I was doing a little research on L.A.'s cultural history and came across a blog post about Dorothy Chandler's cultural leadership. The highlight? The fantastic photos--all from Los Angeles Public Library (LAPL) photo collection. LAPL's Central Library in downtown began collecting photographs prior to World War II, and since then has amassed millions--yes millions--of photographs that emphasize the history … Continue reading The best photography collection in Los Angeles?

Andrea Thabet, Ph.D. Bunker Hill, Civic Leadership, Committee of 25, Dorothy Chandler, LA Music Center, LA Philharmonic, LA Politics, Los Angeles, Los Angeles Times, Uncategorized

Castro, Kennedy, and Chandler – How the Cuban Missile Crisis stole L.A.’s Big Moment

The L.A. Music Center is celebrating its 50th anniversary this season with a number of commemorative events--including a rededication ceremony on October 1st to "celebrate the transformative role of the performing arts center in Los Angeles." [1] So what does this have to do with the Cuban Missile Crisis? Few people, if any, know that President Kennedy … Continue reading Castro, Kennedy, and Chandler – How the Cuban Missile Crisis stole L.A.’s Big Moment

Andrea Thabet, Ph.D. Chavez Ravine, Civic Leadership, Dodger Stadium, Elysian Park, Grace Simons, LA Politics, Los Angeles, Los Angeles Dodgers, Los Angeles Times, Recreation and Parks, Uncategorized, urban renewal

The L.A. Dodgers and Elysian Park

On Wednesday night, I was among the sold-out crowd of 58,000+ Angelenos who watched the Los Angeles Dodgers clinch the NL West title with a 9-1 victory over the San Francisco Giants. It was an exciting game that featured a high-scoring sixth inning and a few fancy tricks by Dodgers standout pitcher Clayton Kershaw. As you … Continue reading The L.A. Dodgers and Elysian Park