PROTECT - PRESERVE - RESTORE - SUSTAIN
The Los Angeles Historic Theatre Foundation (LAHTF) is a non-profit, tax-exempt organization dedicated to protecting, preserving, restoring and sustaining the operation of Southern California’s historic theatres.
Help Save and Use Los Angeles’ Great Historic Theatres
Learn what you can do to help LAHTF and the communities working to save their historic theatres. Your help can be instrumental in preserving these important landmarks. Our goal is to insure all historic theatre structures in the region receive the greatest degree of landmark protection available under the law. More than 20 theatres have been landmarked by the LAHTF. Many more need this protection. You can help! Learn more about L.A.’s theatres at: cinematreasures.org
LAHTF Achivements
Founded in 1987 by the creators of the LA Conservancy's first Last Remaining Seats series and officially registered by the State of California in 1988, the LAHTF is chartered to address the complex challenges of theatre preservation - including ownership, management, programming, preservation, education and advocacy.
Our many achievements include active participation in broad based campaigns to save and restore the El Capitan, Alex, Egyptian, United Artists (University Cathedral), Warner Grand San Pedro, Golden Gate, Belasco, Raymond and the Mayan among many others.
Thanks our involvement and the dynamic leadership of Councilmember Jose Huizar, our current focus - the revitalization of the Broadway Historic Theatre District – is a high priority with his Bringing Back Broadway initiative bringingbackbroadway.com. The Los Angeles Theatre and Palace are to be restored and re-activated in the near future! These extraordinary developments are possible because of your support and involvement. There is much, much more remaining to do.
Photo Courtsey of Wendell Benedetti
Single Screen Theatres in Crisis
Early in the 21st Century, more Los Angeles historic theatres are imperiled than at any time since the great Depression. Even the most famous movie palace in the world – Grauman’s Chinese – is on the market and faces an uncertain future. The Chinese is the last purpose-built palace in the U.S showing first-run features since its opening. Mann’s Village and Bruin in Westwood may close as first run theatres in March of 2010. The Fairfax Theatre faces demolition, with plans for it to be replaced by condominiums and parking. The Golden Gate, now in deplorable condition due to lax code enforcement and owner neglect, may be converted into a drugstore. The LAHTF is actively engaged in making certain this interim adaptive re-use is reversible and stabilizes the remaining historic fabric.
These, and even more complex and daunting challenges loom ahead.
YOUR SUPPORT AND INVOLVEMENT WILL MAKE A DIFFERENCE!
How Volunteers Can Help Save Los Angeles Historic Theatres
Volunteers from our Landmarking Crew successfully prepare nominations and secure Cultural Heritage Monument designation for dozens of theatres. Our goal is to insure all historic theatre structures in the region receive the greatest degree of landmark protection available under the law.
LAHTF Theatre Watch volunteers monitor neglected and endangered theatre structures to prevent illegal alterations and demolition.
LAHTF Programming Committee members help create, plan, produce and present entertainment on historic stages and screens.
There are many, many other volunteer opportunities as we grow to meet the challenges and opportunities before us.
Who Should Support LAHTF? Why?
All of the achievements listed above and what’s sure to be more to come grow from a large and diverse membership and support base. Whether you wish to become actively involved in our many activities, volunteer, attend meetings, tours and special events or simply want to become better informed, we encourage you to join our Contact list to learn more and make a contribution today. Your support in the LAHTF makes all we do possible.
Contact LAHTF and find out what you can do!
LAHTF All About… Docu-Tours
LAHTF All About… docu-tours, held on the 3rd Saturday monthly, provide comprehensive history presentations by theatre historian Ed Kelsey and take the public on behind-the-scenes insider’s tours of great theatres all over Los Angeles.
