2008 LBH Preservation Awards

Olson Residence-727 Cedar
Tom and Juliette Olson

The residence of Tom and Juliette Olson, at 727 Cedar Avenue, is receiving a Preservation Award for the magnificent restoration job that they have completed following a two year ordeal as a result of a trial by fire – literally.

The commodious American Foursquare style home was built in 1907 for The Reverend Hugh Walker, pastor of the First Presbyterian Church. It was originally a “three-flat” so the Reverend could take on boarders. The residence is known most for its affiliation with its third owners who bought it in 1923: Gayheart Mehrens and his wife Lucy from Omaha, Nebraska. Their daughter, Tressa, married Ross Van Liew in 1908. They had a son named Clyde who inherited the Cedar Avenue house and sold it to the Olsons in June of 1999. Because the house had remained in the same family, there was very little alteration to the original.

The Olsons settled in happily until a disastrous fire occurred in August of 2005. A portable air conditioner in the second floor master bedroom caught fire and burned through the attic and the roof. The damages were unfathomable. The walls and woodwork on the second floor that escaped the fire were almost destroyed by the water used to fight the fire. Everything on the first floor was affected as well. Because of the soot and water damage, all of the plaster was removed. The extensive oak woodwork and the oak floors had to be restored. Rather than raze the house, the Olsons began an extensive restoration on both the interior and exterior. The results are amazing. When the home was built it contained a number of very unusual features. All of the woodwork is a fine grained oak, even in the closets. Most of the rooms have built-in cabinets and window seats. There are an unusually large number of windows for the period as well. The vast living room is dominated by a double stairwell that cascades into the room. At the landing the stairway rises in two opposite directions, and at the second floor there is a balcony which encircles the stairwell.

The first floor consists of a very large dining room with built-in buffet, a reading nook, an impressive granite fireplace and bookcases and built-in benches. A unique feature in the living room is a supporting pillar with banquette that partially supports the second floor. Old photographs reveal combination gas and electric lights. The right side of the house contains four rooms in tandem that are small but beautifully finished in the same oak woodwork as the rest of the house. The large kitchen and several service rooms complete the first floor.

Although every historic home is a “work in progress” the Olsons have restored this great landmark against seemingly insurmountable odds, and I am very happy to present this Preservation Award to Tom and Juliette Olson.

SEGELHORST RESIDENCE - 2828 EAST 1st street
Helena and Elbert Segelhorst

This Preservation Award is being presented to Helena and Elbert Segelhorst for the sympathetic addition to an existing historic structure. Their intent was to create more ground floor space through additions which would not replicate the original style of the home. As our photos will attest, this project involved a great deal more. The total restoration of the house was also accomplished.

The house was constructed by C. T. McGrew in a late Victorian Queen Anne style in 1908 in the Alamitos Beach Tract. It was purchased in 1967 by the Segelhorsts who subsequently established themselves as preeminent preservationists in the Bluff Park Historic District.

For this project they hired Kevin Motschall as architect and Peter Devereaux as the contractor. Michael Caponigro was the color consultant. The resultant addition reflects a typical and appropriate expansion which might have been designed in the 1920s to accomodate extended families living in the same house.


As the Segelhorsts were required to move out of the house during the two year project, it was a logical time to restore the interior. All of the interior fir woodwork was stripped and refinished. A new oak floor was installed as well. Some of the most dramatic improvements involved the modification and installation of the Segelhorst’s impressive collection of stained glass windows throughout the house. The windows were restored and reworked to fit existing spaces as well as new fenestration.

The additions themselves are works of art. The east wing contains a hall, large bathroom with period appropriate fixtures, tiling, and architectural details. The southern end of the wing contains a very large bedroom.

The west wind is primarily a very large family room with a fireplace and Victorian mantel. The size was enhanced through the use of a tray ceiling. Both additions receive the afternoon sun and contain windows on three sides which provide a pleasant aspect. Between the wings is a large deck of Ipe wood. The kitchen as well as the wings let onto this deck which overlooks the large rear yard.

One of the most interesting aspects of the project involved moving the entire gabled two story end of the house eight feet to the
 

VON HEMERT RESIDENCE– 121 BELMONT AVENUE
Barry and Sue Von Hemert

A preservation award is being presented to Barry and Sue Von Hemert for their home at 121 Belmont Avenue in Belmont Heights. The Italian Renaissance Revival style home was built in 1923 by William Hosking, business manager of the Press-Telegram, and his wife, Mary Lou.

During the last decade the house has undergone an amazing transformation. The façade of the house received some period style iron balconies and a full railing over the entrance which is an arched recess flanked by engaged pilasters with a tripartite entry. A full terrace was constructed to enjoy the views. Period appropriate awnings were added as well as a cornice. The unique restoration was performed by the previous owners, Gary Paterno and his partner, Jay Stanbridge.

The living room and dining room are formal and most resemble the original appearance. The living room is anchored by a spectacular Victorian Renaissance Revival mantel of walnut, circa 1880, with eleven tiles by Minton which illustrate the story of “Rob Roy.” The staircase is in a separate hall and has been completely restored to the original finish. The stair landing is enhanced by a seven by three foot stained glass widow believed to have been made by Tiffany studios and rescued from an 1889 mansion in Rhode Island. In the master bedroom on the second floor is a pair of impressive stained glass doors which came from a house in New Jersey. Almost every room in the house has an antique chandelier in styles ranging from 18th century classic and unique Victorian to an Art Deco fixture from the Wiltern Theater.

Most rooms retain their original 1923 appearance with dramatic enhancements. The kitchen, however, was completely redesigned with solid cherry cabinets and black granite countertops. There is also an addition at the rear of the house which serves as a family room. With its arched windows and period faithful fireplace, as well as a tremendous columned arch of oak which was designed and built by Gary Paterno, it serves as a logical addition to the house. There is also an intriguing room at the rear which is framed in Moorish columns and arches with a domed ceiling, a Moorish brass light fixture, and tiled dado walls which were installed by the Von Hemerts. The lush gardens and plantings at the rear of the home include an outdoor fireplace, period pergolas and a large Koi pond. The original garage remains at the rear enveloped in vines with a free-standing columned installation for interest. We are proud to present this award for a most unusual preservation project.

LONG BEACH FIREFIGHTERS’ MUSEUM

Long Beach Heritage is pleased to select the Long Beach Firefighter’s Museum for a Merit Award.

The Long Beach Firefighter’s Museum is a working museum and the equipment on display is in varying stages of restoration. At the present time there are over 10 persons credited with serving the museum’s restoration efforts. Visitors of the museum are greeted by retired fire fighters and given a detailed and interesting tour as to the history and vintage equipment used by the Long Beach Fire Department.

The museum and the excellent expels of fire fighting equipment would not exist without the efforts and vision of Herb Bramley. For over 60 years, Herb has collected vintage items and donated to the museum. Herb’s stories and memories provide that “human’ experience for all of us to share as we tour the museum and its wonderful archives. Because of Herb’s dedication and ability to collect vintage memorabilia of LBFD, a wonderful book entitled Images of America, Long Beach Fire Department was published. Documents complied by Glen Goodrich and the LBFDM is presented in the book for those to enjoy the rich and wonderful history of one of the most progressive fire departments in the world.

The LBFD Museum is a great example of the pride, vision and dedication of the proud profession of fire fighting and service. Herb Bramley, Glen Goodrich and the members of the Long Beach Fire Department who have worked to create and sustain the LBFDM are our local heroes! You can support the LBFDM by donating to their restoration efforts by contacting the museum office or checking out their web site.

Long Beach Deco
Suzanne Tarbell Cooper, John Thomas, and Christopher Launi

This award is being presented to Suzanne Tarbell Cooper, John Thomas, and Christopher Launi for their book, Long Beach Art Deco. It was published in 2006 as part of the “Images of America” series. The book is copiously illustrated with both contemporary photographs by Christopher Launi and period images from the Long Beach Public Library, the Historical Society of Long Beach, and other collections. Suzanne Tarbell Cooper and John Thomas conducted the research and wrote the book, which is an illustrated survey of buildings and artifacts from the 1920s and 1930s. Long Beach Art Deco contains pictures of commercial, residential, entertainment, theatrical, public, educational, and domestic structures, accompanied by pertinent information about each one.

Suzanne Tarbell Cooper is a member of the Board of Directors of the Art Deco Society of Los Angeles, studied photography at the art Center College of Design, and was co-author of Los Angeles Art Deco, published in 2005, another book in the “Images of America” series. It also includes sections on Long Beach, Pasadena, and Glendale. Suzanne has recently completed still another book titled Los Angeles Theaters, which will be published in January, and is currently working on a book about West Adams, where she lives in a 1909 bungalow.

John Thomas, Vice President for Advocacy and President Elect of Long Beach Heritage, is actively involved in many preservation efforts here in our city. He is also the Vice President of the Art Deco Society of Los Angeles, a member of the Board of Directors of the Historical Society of Long Beach, and is appointed to the Long Beach Redevelopment Agency. He collects Art Deco furnishings and ephemera and his home, which was recently featured on the television program, “Long Beach Treasures,” is a veritable repository of antiques from the twenties and thirties. John has led numerous tours of art Deco buildings and the Queen Mary. In fact, some people call him “Mr. Art Deco.”

J. Christopher Launi is a self taught photographer whose work has won various regional and national awards. He also serves as the photographer for Long Beach Heritage. His images have appeared in publications that include National Geographic Traveler, Westways Magazine and American Heritage Magazine. Better known for his photographs of the Southern California coastline, his work has shifted to include structures and unique architectural details of historic related subject matter. His involvement with several cultural and historic preservation groups has created awareness toward archiving buildings and their architectural features. Chris is currently working on another book of regional photography and long Beach will be proudly portrayed!

BEMBRIDGE HOUSE
MAGNUM BUILDERS

When I first saw the conditions of the Bembridge Carriage House, I knew it was going to be a huge challenge to restore it. The structure was not only sagging and collapsing from its own weight; it was also leaning and twisting from its brick foundation. Structural expert, Dave Breiholz created a structural solution, which did not obstruct, or modify existing historical framing. New steel support posts were designed in the four corners, allowing the existing wood framing to remain relatively untouched. The design stabilized and supported the entire structure while allowing all the original wood framing to remain as a classic example of early 1900’s wood framing methods. Once the City Engineers approved the structural drawings, the challenge was to find a competent, experienced contractor to perform the modifications. I searched and interviewed numerous contractors to provide bid proposals on the rehabilitation work. Every contractor who met me onsite turned and ran away as fast as they could after seeing the condition of the Carriage House. Then, Dave Breiholz introduced me to Magnum Builders. Jim Leonard and Ernie Magana met me onsite and did not run away! They actually did a very detailed inspection of the conditions and were very excited about becoming involved in the project. As most of you know, historical restoration of residential properties is not a huge profit making activity – in fact, profits turn to losses quickly with all the unforeseen situations that arise. Magnum Builders provided a fixed bid price and a fixed time schedule for the construction work. They completed the project on time and on budget. In fact, they even threw in hundreds, if not thousands of dollars of extras, in order to make the project truly replicate its original splendor. Even though Magnum is a full-service general contractor specializing in tenant improvements and commercial building renovation, they have a true soft spot for historical buildings.

Magnum is receiving the Merit Award for Outstanding Workmanship and Preservation Technology in the Rehabilitation and Reconstruction of the Failing Carriage House. They performed a seismic retrofit and complete restoration of the Carriage House and an accurate reconstruction of the driveway. In addition, they have done numerous additional restoration improvements to the Main House. When it was time to remove and replace the old hazardous driveway, Jim and his concrete subcontractor, Dale with Precision Concrete met me onsite numerous times to develop a technique to replicate the finish and color of the existing concrete before installing the new concrete. The driveway, as you see it today, is an exact replica of the original driveway. The finish surface texture, the color and the unique round curbing edge detail all match the original driveway. The restoration of the wood siding and windows on the Carriage House were completed with the same hands on attention to detail. Magnum has performed numerous construction and structural evaluation projects on historically significant buildings throughout Southern California. Some of their preservation projects include the Van de Kamp Bakery Building in Los Angeles, the Grand Central Arts Building in Santa Ana, “Mother Grape Vine” Mission in San Gabriel, the 257th Street Cottages in Lomita – and closer to home – 110 and 115 Pine Avenue, the Madison and Allegria Restaurants. Magnum’s offices in Lomita at 25419 Narbonne are even located in a historical building. Magnum Builders truly has a commitment to the preservation of our local history.

MEIGHAN MAGUIRE

A Merit Award is being presented to Meighan Maguire, PhD who is an Educational Projects Specialist at Rancho Los Cerritos, for her invaluable and innovative project Handling History: Exploring Daily Life on the Rancho in the 1840s. The project began as the school district and the Rancho both recognized that the pivotal decade of the 1840s, when the California economy depended on cattle ranching, was under-represented in the curriculum. With funding from the Long Beach Unified School District and the Miller Foundation, Rancho Los Cerritos Foundation sponsored the research and development of the Curriculum Guide, as well as assemblage of thirty trunks. Twenty-five of the trunks were placed in local fourth grade classrooms, and five are available for teachers to borrow from the Rancho. One is on display here tonight. The “Handling History” Curriculum Guide includes five integrated, comprehensive units that enable students to understand what daily life was actually like on the ranchos during the 1840s. The accompanying trunks contain an assortment of historic artifacts, period maps and images, and interactive media products that help fourth grade students learn about rancho history in an immediate and engaging manner. Meighan found a blacksmith to make branding irons, a woodworker to make adobe brick forms, and a historical organization to make tallow candles and soap. Instructions and objects allow students to create adobe bricks, make tortillas, or pan for gold. Each kit also contains a CD showing the re-enactment of debates for California’s first constitution and a music CD with instructions for learning early California dances. By combining classroom activities that are closely tied to the state content standards for education, “Handling History” enables fourth grade teachers to share our state history in an interdisciplinary and meaningful way that is both comprehensible and compelling. Although the project was developed for the fourth grade curriculum, it is presented in a sophisticated manner to be used at higher levels, as well. We are proud to present this award to Meighan Maguire for her outstanding project.

PAUL REVERE WILLIAMS DOCUMENTARY
ADVANCED MEDIA PRODUCTION DEPARTMENT - CSULB

Paul Revere Williams lived through considerable social and economic changes 1894 – 1980. Williams was California’s first licensed black architect and a member of the American Institute of Architects. He became highly successful and well recognized in the very segregated 1920s and 30s. He designed more than 3000 structures including the Long Beach Naval Station and custom homes in “new” developments known as Park Estates and Virginia Country Club. Williams was lead architect on numerous mansions for famous entertainers and corporate moguls. He became known as the “Architect to the Stars” and designed elegant homes for Cary Grant, Lon Chaney, Humphrey Bogart, Lucy and Desi and many others. However, he also made affordable housing for people who were not of privilege a paramount concern. Williams also directed a lot of energy toward the common working man, young families and veterans returning from the war. He was involved with many public housing projects. Williams managed to overcome many societal obstacles while becoming one of the most successful architects in California history.

David Kelly and the Advanced Media Production Department at Cal State Long Beach have done an excellent job of capturing the philosophy and design ideas of Paul Revere Williams in this film capsule of his life and accomplishments. The field documentary entitled “Paul Revere Williams: A legend in Architecture” is approximately 30 minutes in length and encapsulates the architect’s family life, career and accomplishments. Even though Williams was a prolific designer throughout the country and especially Southern California, the film focuses on work he did in Long Beach and the impact he had in this city. David Kelly wrote, produced and narrated the project with great insight. The production team included videographer, Dave Ohl, who also did graphics and post-production; engineer Jeff Williams, who also provided technical and lighting assistance; and digital systems specialist, Craig Walker, who provided technical and lighting assistance along with coordination of a companion website. The film was funded by the Navy Trust in last year’s grant cycle.

RANCHO LOS ALAMITOS HISTORIC RANCH GARDENS

Largely developed between 1920 and 1945 under the guiding hand and vision of Florence Bixby, the gardens at Rancho Los Alamitos are recognized today on a national level because of the designers associated with the landscape. Most notable is the Olmsted Brothers Firm who designed most of the gardens and whose founder created Central Park. The records for the gardens are housed at the Library of Congress and the National Olmsted Archive.

Rancho Los Alamitos Foundation operates the site on behalf of its owner, the City of Long Beach. Since 1989 the Foundation has steadily executed a program of meticulous research and restoration of the landscape, based on their award winning Master Plan and Garden Restoration Plan.

The first significant landscape project was the restoration of the south gardens, comprising the Geranium Walk, Rose Gazebo, Rose Garden, Oleander Walk, Cypress Patio and Cutting Garden. This was the first major garden restoration ever funded by the State Office of Historic Preservation. The Geranium Walk and Rose Gazebo were designed by Florence Yoch, the creator of the outdoor sets for “Gone with the Wind”, while the remainder of the spaces were designed by the Olmsted Firm. Photos and documentation chronicle the gardens over time. When the Foundation arrived, the gardens had become deteriorated and much of their original character was slipping away. Using the Olmsted plans and other archival resources, the south gardens were carefully restored to meet the federal standards for the treatment of significant cultural landscapes.

Undertaking the seismic strengthening of the ranch house foundations provided exactly the right opportunity to restore the Secret Garden (again an Olmsted design), and the Back Patio designed by Paul Howard. Original plans, photos, and construction notes were used as the basis for the restoration.

The most ambitious and lengthy garden restoration is the Native Garden, also attributed to Olmsted. The project includes an extensive restoration of the complex rocky stream and waterfall system which winds through the garden. The garden is scheduled to reopen this Fall.

Currently underway is the restoration of the Tennis Court area, including the Jacaranda Pergola, Grape Arbor and Friendly Garden, another Olmsted design.

The restoration and ongoing preservation of the gardens plays a vital educational role in helping the public understand the manmade landscape around them. The landscape reveals to us the relationship between culture and environment, people and place over time. It also underscores the vital role of water in our benign Mediterranean climate where almost anything can - and does - grow. A case in point - the magnificent pair of Moreton Bay Fig trees that are native to Australia, but which were recently designated “Horticultural Heroes of the United States”.