Tour Host Pick of the Month

by Sheri Leigh

This month's Pick is a bit different from most, as it is an organization dedicated to historical preservation, rather than a typical tour company. But their dedication to the architectural history of Los Angeles and specifically it's little know Broadway Theater District, made quite an impression on me.

Growing up in LA, I thought the entire culture of California was yogurt. I've been to museums all over the world, but like Dorothy, I did not appreciate the many wonders in my own backyard. I think too many of us take the familiar for granted, while the visitor looks at it through different eyes, taking advantage of all the possibilities available in a short time.

Over the last five years as I delve into detailed research for this magazine, I realize that anyplace, familiar or exotic, holds wonders if you open your mind. The Los Angeles Conservancy and their work is just one of the many unsung wonders of modern Los Angeles.

To educate and inspire, The Conservancy offers over a dozen walking tours to Los Angeles" historic sites including such tours as Angelino Heights, Art Deco, The Historic Core, Little Tokyo and Historic Spring Street: Wall Street of the West. For all these great offerings, it is their ambitious Broadway Initiative and weekly Broadway Theaters tour that brought this great intuition to my attention.

Each year The Conservancy runs a program called Last Remaining Seats showing classic movies in the historic theaters on Broadway normally not open for movies. This a great way for classic movie fans to see the original films in the elaborate settings they were designed and a great way to help insure that these wonderful pieces of Los Angeles and indeed American history are preserved.

Their web site features loads of timely information about Los Angeles historic preservation and areas of special concern as well as great details about the Broadway Theaters themselves. A self guided walking tour is also available for those travelers wishing to take a look at the fabulous historic architecture hidden among today's LA.