Santa Monica Conservancy

Santa Monica Conservancy https://smconservancy.org/explore-santa-monica/historic-places/map/

In 1921, a group of Black women in Santa Monica came together to create something lasting.The Philomathean Charity Liter...
06/19/2026

In 1921, a group of Black women in Santa Monica came together to create something lasting.

The Philomathean Charity Literary and Art Club became a place for leadership, education, mutual support, and community at a time when opportunities for Black women were often limited. More than a century later, their legacy continues.

In 2024, the Club’s historic headquarters was designated a Santa Monica Landmark, recognizing not only a building, but the generations of women whose work helped shape the city’s civic and cultural life. The Philomathean Club is the oldest African American women’s club in Santa Monica and is believed to be among the oldest in Southern California.

This Juneteenth, we celebrate freedom not only as a moment in history, but as a continuing story of community, resilience, leadership, and remembrance.

Because preserving history means preserving the people, places, and stories that helped build Santa Monica.

The Philomathean Society 🦩 Santa Monica Conservancy

06/17/2026

Get Your Shades Out for the 2026 Summer Garden Tour! 😎

Garden experts Hilda Weiss and Mya Gates return on Sunday, June 28, from 2 to 3:30 pm, with the Summer Garden Tour at the Shotgun House Native Plant Garden! Celebrate the Summer Solstice with an exploration of California native plants and their role in our coastal ecology.

After the tour, enjoy refreshments and explore the calming and clearing properties of Cleveland Sage in our Sage-bundling workshop! Cleveland sage (Salvia celvalandii) is incredibly versatile, useful for aromatherapy, air purification, cleansing, and even pest control. Perfect for an evening cleanse or when you’re ready to wind down.

White sage smudging is a closed, sacred Indigenous tradition used for prayer and spiritual cleansing. To practice smoke cleansing respectfully, we chose Cleveland sage as an alternative because it’s an open practice and offers a soft, grounding experience.

Event Details:
The Shotgun House Native Plant Garden
2520 Second Street
Santa Monica CA 90405

Sunday, June 28
2-3:30 pm
FREE for Conservancy Members
$15 General Admission

RSVP: https://smc.givecloud.co/summer2026gardentour

The Gussie Moran House on 1323 Ocean Avenue is a remnant of the time when Ocean Avenue was developed as a residential s...
06/15/2026

The Gussie Moran House on 1323 Ocean Avenue is a remnant of the time when Ocean Avenue was developed as a residential street. Built around 1887, the house is remarkable both for its Victorian styling and as the longtime residence of tennis champion, Gertrude “Gussie” Moran.

Victorian buildings came in many styles but the Queen Anne variant dominated domestic architecture in the 1880s and 1890s. Visitors will note the steeply pitched roof and the prominent front gable, as well as the expansive L-shaped porch on the ground floor. The Victorian age glorified domesticity and this house proclaims “A man’s home is his castle” with its whimsical tower capped by a conical roof. Both plain and fish scale shingles are used throughout. 

This house is notable as well for its famous resident—Gertrude “Gorgeous Gussie” Moran. Born in Santa Monica, where her family had owned this home since the 1890s, Gussie Moran took up tennis early, won several single and doubles championships and by 1949 was playing on the Centre Court at Wimbledon. In this respect Moran carried on a proud Santa Monica tradition—in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries the city was a renowned tennis capital and produced many extraordinary players, among them several national champions, as well as Wimbledon victors May Sutton and “Bunny” Ryan. 

Moran’s fame, however, was for more than just great tennis. At Wimbledon she created a scandal by wearing a short skirt and matching lace panties visible below the hem. Staid officials demanded her ouster from the tournament (relenting later as attendance soared) while photographers scrambled for the best shots of her risqué attire. Newspapers around the world published the photos and Gussie Moran became known worldwide. Called “one of the great originals” Moran later toured professionally with Bobbie Riggs, appeared with Spencer Tracy and Katherine Hepburn in a film (as herself), and worked as a radio host. She lived here until 1986.



International Tennis Hall of Fame @ Santa Monica, California Tennis Legend Los Angeles Conservancy Discover Los Angeles Downtown Santa Monica

Some of Santa Monica’s most fascinating places are the ones hiding in plain sight.Tomorrow, the doors of the historic Ma...
06/13/2026

Some of Santa Monica’s most fascinating places are the ones hiding in plain sight.

Tomorrow, the doors of the historic Masonic Lodge will open for a special gathering for Santa Monica Conservancy members, offering a rare opportunity to step inside a landmark that has quietly watched over the city for more than a century. Beyond its striking architecture and rich history, the Annual Meeting is a chance to connect with fellow advocates, celebrate the places that make Santa Monica unique, and hear the stories that continue to shape our community.

The afternoon will feature a special presentation from Route 66 historian Ian Bowen, who will explore Santa Monica’s role as the western terminus of America’s most iconic highway—a reminder that our city has long been a destination, a crossroads, and a place where history continues to unfold.

If you’ve been looking for a reason to get more involved, learn something new, or simply experience a remarkable historic space that few people ever get to see, this is it.

Registration closes soon. We hope to see you tomorrow.

Register through the link in our bio.



Santa Monica Conservancy City of Santa Monica downtownsantamonica Preservation Action The US National Trust

This Sunday step inside a hidden Santa Monica landmark.Most people have driven past the Masonic Lodge No. 307 countless ...
06/12/2026

This Sunday step inside a hidden Santa Monica landmark.

Most people have driven past the Masonic Lodge No. 307 countless times. Few have ever been inside.

This Sunday, the Santa Monica Conservancy’s Annual Meeting offers a rare opportunity to experience one of the city’s most intriguing and least accessible historic buildings.

Built in 1923, the Lodge has long been a fixture of Santa Monica Boulevard, yet its ceremonial spaces remain largely unseen by the public. From its grand lodge room to its rich architectural detailing, the building is a reminder of an era when civic institutions were designed to inspire.

Following the meeting, Route 66 historian Ian Bowen will explore the story of America’s most iconic highway and its lasting connection to Santa Monica— the western terminus of the Mother Road.

Join us for an afternoon of , architecture, preservation, and community.

Masonic Lodge No. 307
Sunday, June 14
Doors Open: 1:30 PM
Program Begins: 2:00 PM

Members can register through the link in our bio. Not yet a member? There’s still time to join.

Santa Monica Conservancy Ian Bowen U.S. Route 66 Centennial City of Santa Monica 66 to Cali

CALLING ALL MEMBERS.This Sunday, join the Santa Monica Conservancy for an afternoon inside one of Santa Monica’s most fa...
06/10/2026

CALLING ALL MEMBERS.

This Sunday, join the Santa Monica Conservancy for an afternoon inside one of Santa Monica’s most fascinating and rarely accessible architectural landmarks, the Masonic Lodge No. 307.

Built in 1923 and rarely open to the public, the Lodge will host our Annual Meeting as we reflect on a year of preservation in action— from advocacy and education to tours, partnerships, and the stories that connect us to Santa Monica’s past.

Following the meeting, Route 66 historian Ian Bowen will explore the enduring connection between Santa Monica and America’s most iconic highway, before we gather for wine, hors d’oeuvres, and conversation with fellow preservation advocates, historians, architects, and community members.

This is more than an annual meeting, it’s an opportunity to experience a remarkable building, connect with a passionate community, and celebrate the work of preserving Santa Monica’s unique character.

If you’ve been thinking about becoming a member, now is the time. Join today and experience firsthand what the Conservancy is all about.

Members can register, and new members can join through the link in our bio.

Masonic Lodge No. 307
Sunday, June 14
Doors Open: 1:30 PM
Program Begins: 2:00 PM



Preservation does not stop at city limits. Through Preservation Next, the Santa Monica Conservancy looks beyond our own ...
06/08/2026

Preservation does not stop at city limits. Through Preservation Next, the Santa Monica Conservancy looks beyond our own boundaries to explore the architectural, cultural, and preservation stories that connect Santa Monica to the greater Los Angeles region.

Join us on Wednesday, June 10 at 5:30 PM for a special tour of the Neutra VDL Studio and Residences, one of Los Angeles’ most significant modernist landmarks.

Designed by Richard Neutra as his experimental home and studio, VDL became a place where ideas about architecture, climate, light, landscape, and modern living were tested, refined, and reimagined. More than a historic house, it remains a living laboratory for design and preservation.

Today, the house is stewarded by Cal Poly Pomona’s College of Environmental Design and Department of Architecture, continuing its legacy as a site for education, public engagement, and architectural discovery. Our tour will be led by Director Noam Saragosti, who will share insight into the history of the house, its ongoing care, and its continued relevance today.

After the tour, we’ll keep the conversation going nearby over drinks at The Red Lion Tavern.

Come connect with fellow preservation-minded Angelenos, experience an iconic piece of Los Angeles modernism, and explore how historic places across the region can continue to inspire, teach, and evolve.

Wednesday, June 10
5:30 PM
Neutra VDL Studio and Residences
2300 Silver Lake Boulevard, Los Angeles

Drinks to follow at The Red Lion Tavern
2366 Glendale Boulevard, Los Angeles

RSVP / learn more at the link in bio.

Towering above Ocean Avenue, Shepard Fairey’s The Pierside Mural is more than a landmark. It’s a visual collage of the p...
06/06/2026

Towering above Ocean Avenue, Shepard Fairey’s The Pierside Mural is more than a landmark. It’s a visual collage of the people, places, and cultural influences that have shaped Santa Monica over generations.

Completed in 2023, the 16-story mural brings together references to surf culture, music, art, the historic Pacific Ocean Park, and the city’s creative spirit. At its center is a powerful figure representing strength, optimism, and the diverse communities that continue to define Santa Monica.

As you explore the Coastal Crossroads Tour, you’ll discover how public art can tell stories, celebrate local identity, and connect the past with the present.

The Pierside Mural
Artist: Shepard Fairey
Part of the Coastal Crossroads Self-Guided Tour

What details can you spot hidden within the mural?



Most people have seen Santa Monica City Hall. Few know the stories it holds.Completed in 1939, this Art Deco landmark ha...
06/06/2026

Most people have seen Santa Monica City Hall. Few know the stories it holds.

Completed in 1939, this Art Deco landmark has served as the backdrop for nearly a century of civic life. From moments of celebration and progress to challenges that shaped the future of the city, generations of Santa Monicans have passed through its doors.

But City Hall is more than a government building. It’s a symbol of how communities come together to shape the places they call home.

As you explore the Coastal Crossroads Tour this Sunday, you’ll uncover the people, places, art, and architecture that tell Santa Monica’s story. Some are well-known landmarks. Others are hidden in plain sight. Together, they reveal a city shaped by creativity, community, and change.

Stop #18: Santa Monica City Hall

Explore the Coastal Crossroads Self-Guided Tour and discover the stories behind the landmarks you thought you knew.

ArtDeco

What happens when art, history, and public space intersect?One of the stops along the Coastal Crossroads Tour is Chain R...
06/06/2026

What happens when art, history, and public space intersect?

One of the stops along the Coastal Crossroads Tour is Chain Reaction, the monumental sculpture by Pulitzer Prize-winning cartoonist and artist Paul Conrad.

Installed in Santa Monica in 1991, the sculpture has become one of the city’s most recognizable public artworks and a lasting symbol of how individual actions can create far-reaching consequences.

Standing more than 25 feet tall and constructed from hundreds of linked chain forms, Chain Reaction invites visitors to reflect on the connections between people, places, and events that shape our communities.

As you explore the Coastal Crossroads Tour, you’ll discover artworks, landmarks, and stories that reveal the many layers of Santa Monica’s cultural landscape and the people who helped shape it.

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2520 2nd Street
Santa Monica, CA
90405

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+13104963146

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