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Project
Restore is awarded the prestigious Save America's Treasures Grant to
support the rehabilitation of one of Frank Lloyd Wright's most inspired
buildings.
Los Angeles, CA - December 17,
2009 -
Project Restore, a not-for-profit committed to the restoration and
preservation of buildings that help define the civic and cultural fabric of Los
Angeles, has been awarded $489,000 from the U.S. Department of the Interior to
continue its retrofit and rehabilitation of the Aline Barnsdall Complex, most popularly known as the Hollyhock
House.
The $489,000 grant is the second highest award made in
2009, one of 41 made across the nation, and the only project selected in California this
year. The grant is among the largest
ever made in the program's 10-year history.
"We are honored and
grateful for this incredible investment," shared Edward J. Avila,
president of Project Restore, "This grant will help bring back one of Los Angeles' most
impressive sites, for everyone to enjoy."
The Hollyhock House is one of Southern California's most
celebrated architectural gems, built between 1919 and 1921 for the oil heiress
Aline Barnsdall. The Hollyhock House,
named after the Hollyhock flower that is incorporated into the home's design,
was Wright's first commission in Los
Angeles. It has
remained a popular destination for Angelenos, tourists, and architectural
aficionados alike, and currently serves as the site of the Barnsdall Art
Center. The 1994 Northridge earthquake created
significant structural damage to the building, and since then, the pubic has
enjoyed only limited access. The Save
America's Treasure award will help complete necessary seismic retrofitting and
rehabilitation, making the landmark building much more accessible to the
public.
"Our work on the Hollyhock House is aligned with our
mission," added Avila,
"we seek out projects that will make a real difference to the community. We step in to preserve and restore those buildings
that really speak to our city's history and culture. This award is a testament to that."
The Save America's
Treasures grant program is administered through the National Park Service in
partnership with the President's Committee on the Arts and Humanities, the
National Endowment for the Arts, and the Institute for Museum and Library
Services. Projects are chosen based on
their national significance and extraordinary contribution to the cultural
legacy of the nation. Selected projects
are historic properties or important collections that are recognized as
national historic landmarks or are listed in the national register of historic
places. Other Save America's Treasures recipients include the Rosa Parks Bus
and the Washington
Monument. For more information about the Save America's
Treasures program, visit http://www.nps.gov/history/hps/hpg/index.htm
ABOUT PROJECT RESTORE: Project Restore was established in 1986 to
recapture the splendor of the Public Works Session Room in Los Angeles City Hall
by replicating the original wooden pews that had been removed. That small but
important restoration project gave birth to a series of larger, award-winning
restoration and preservation projects, including the restoration of Los Angeles City Hall
and the Valley Municipal
Building, and more recent projects
such as work on the Watts
Towers site and
innovative urban planning projects, such as Civic Crossroads and FirstNow!
CONTACT:
Kevin Jew, Chief Operating
Officer
Project Restore
200 N. Spring Street, Room 1633
Los Angeles, CA
90012
Main: (213) 978-0283 Fax: (213) 978-0285
www.ProjectRestore.LAcity.org
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