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March 2025 Preservation ePost | |
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Women in Architecture
To celebrate Women’s History Month, the Office of Historic Preservation highlights women's contributions to architecture in California. One of the most prominent names in architecture is Julia Morgan, who designed over 700 buildings. Her work includes Hearst Castle, the Fairmont Hotel, and the Herald Examiner Building in Los Angeles, which was recently renovated as part of the Federal Historic Preservation Tax Credit program.
However, Morgan is just one of a long list of women who contributed to the design of businesses, schools, housing, communities, and gardens throughout the state. Below is a highlight of some of the contributions made by women in California.
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The first African American woman to be a fellow at the American Institute of Architects (AIA), Sklarek contributed to the designs of buildings throughout California, including the San Bernardino City Hall and Los Angeles International Airport's Terminal 1 (as part of the firm Welton Becket Associates). Sklarek co-founded Sklarek, Siegel, and Diamond, which became the country's biggest female-only architecture firm.
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This multi-AIA award-winning architect designed buildings and homes for the Rancho Sante Fe planned community (CA Landmark 982) as part of the firm Requa and Jackson. Rice also designed the Marth Kinsey House in La Jolla and the ZLAC Rowing Clubhouse in San Diego.
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One of California's most decorated architects, receiving the AIA California Council Lifetime Achievement Award in 2017, Willis designed several residential and commercial buildings in California. Most notably, the Union Street Shops, a conversion of three Victorian buildings into a multi-story shopping complex in San Franciso. This project earned her the Governor of California Award for Exceptional Distinction in Environmental Design for Adaptive Reuse in 1967.
Willis also designed the San Francisco Ballet Building, working closely with the company's director, Michael Smuin, making it the first building designed for the specific use of a ballet company. This design would become the prototype for the design of ballet company buildings.
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LA Recovery Efforts
As more is known about the extent of the devastation of the Los Angeles Fires, state and local preservation partners continue to provide information and seek expertise.
LA County Planning has information on fire relief and resources for county landmarks and Mills Act contract properties.
Los Angeles Conservancy has information for residential and commercial property owners and is looking for preservation architects and structural engineers to lend their expertise.
Altadena Heritage is posting continued updates for the community.
Do you have Architectural/ Planning Skills you can contribute?
The Los Angeles AIA has a resources page to connect professionals with projects: Wildfire Response and Resources
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The Office of Historic Preservation is hiring for multiple roles:
Please read the job posting for more information on how to apply, the qualifications required, contact information, and application deadlines.
We look forward to hearing from you!
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New Exam Open from the Department of Parks & Recreation | |
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Are you an architect with historical restoration or preservation experience? Are you interested in helping to support the continued preservation of historic buildings in California? Check out this new exam from the Department of Parks and Recreation:
Click the exam link above for more information about minimum qualifications, cutoff dates, and testing accommodations. More information on the Restoration Architect classification is available on the CALHR website.
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The TCP Bulletin provides guidance for preparing a nomination of a traditional cultural place (TCP) for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places (National Register). Through feedback from key stakeholders, including Tribes, government agencies, preservation organizations, and the public, the TCP Bulletin has been revised with additional guidance that builds upon (and supersedes) the 1998 edition by using plain language and incorporating extensive examples.
Identifying, Evaluating, and Documenting Traditional Cultural Places National Register Bulletin
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Eli Wilner & Company's funding partners have committed another $225,000 that will be available toward reframing and frame restoration projects for museums and nonprofit institutions of all sizes. The funds can be used for frame restoration, historic frame replication, or mirror replication.
Interested institutions can apply by emailing the details of their reframing or frame restoration needs to info@eliwilner.com. No project is too large.
Additional Funding is Available through 3/15/2025
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Underrecognized California: A Program to Encourage Inclusive Historic Designations
Underrecognized California provides grant support for nominating new sites to historic registers that reflect the diversity and variety of California’s cultural heritage. The program provides a student with paid experience and mentorship to prepare a nomination of historic sites statistically underrepresented in our local, state, and national registers. A student is employed as an intern with an experienced firm or consultant. The student’s work is paid for their work, and 100% of the grant funds go directly to paying the student.
Applications are due: 3/28/2025
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Characterized by clean lines and modern materials, Modern or Modernist Architecture was a prominent style between the 1930s and 1960s. Modern designs were featured in housing, including custom-designed homes like the Eames House, as well as large-scale developments like the Streng Brothers neighborhoods of greater Sacramento. The utilitarian emphasis of "form follows function" made this design style a preferred choice for public spaces and office buildings, such as Frank Lloyd Wright's Marin County Civic Center, the Tramway Gas Station, and the numerous civic buildings constructed by the Public Works Administration as part of the New Deal.
With so many examples of Modern architecture throughout California, selecting just one building to highlight is impossible. Please visit our Historic Context Library to read more about Modern architecture throughout the state.
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News, Education, and More | |
Distance Learning Programs
Visit the National Archives without leaving your school or home! They offer free distance learning opportunities for students and educators in grades K-12. Interactive programs feature historical documents, photographs, maps, posters, and other primary sources.
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Free Introductory Training
The National Preservation Institute offers a free 45-minute, on-demand training course on Finding New Sources of Funding in Challenging Times.
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This virtual conversation hosted by the National Trust for Historic Preservation will tackle the joys and challenges around living in and owning a historic home, how these places create stronger connections to neighborhoods and communities, and how they bring a sense of wonder and fun to the preservation process.
Via Zoom: Mar 13, 2025 10:00 AM
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The 2025 California Preservation Conference
The conference will take place in Sacramento from May 6 to May 10, 2025. This year’s theme centers on Breaking Barriers, Building Bridges, exploring cutting-edge approaches to adaptive reuse, grassroots advocacy, housing, and environmental sustainability.
Attendees will enjoy a dynamic mix of workshops, tours, and networking opportunities throughout the Sacramento region and culminating in the prestigious California Preservation Awards at the California Museum.
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Learning Opportunities from the TPS
The Technical Preservation Services (TPS) division of the National Park Service offers a series of free online trainings on a variety of topics, including Sustainability Guidelines, Rehabilitation Guidelines, Incentives, Local Historic Districts, and more. TPS also offers an extensive series of publications that provide guidance and how-to on a broad range of preservation topics and applications.
| | Items posted in the ePost are presented as an informational courtesy and do not constitute an endorsement by the Office of Historic Preservation. | |
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News from California State Parks
Now through an online news feed, you can keep up on the latest news from California State Parks, our parent department. Subscribe Here.
(This will not affect your subscription to the OHP ePost)
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