Past Virtual Events

“We Were Americans” Film Presentation with Q&A

Commissioned in 2018 by ReflectSpace Gallery under the direction of Ara Oshagan, the documentary “We Were Americans” was filmed on location at the relocation center ruins in Poston, AZ, and was directed, produced and edited by filmmaker Avo Kambourian.

Join TGHS members Katherine and Glenn Yamada in conversation with Ara Oshagan and Avo Kambourian on “We Were Americans.”

Raising the Bar(n) with the Stone Barn Vineyard Conservancy

Virtual wine tasting and discussion with Stone Barn Vineyard Conservancy

Join Raising the Bar ringleader Laura Crook and vintner Stuart Byles of the Stone Barn Vineyard Conservancy and the Historical Society of the Crescenta Valley on a journey of local wine history, plus a guided tasting of Dunsmore Creek, Alicante Bouschet. Immediately following the presentation, you will have an opportunity to socialize with other TGHS members and friends.

A Paranormal Investigation of the Doctors House Museum

One of the most frequently asked questions during a Doctors House tour is whether or not it is haunted. We've asked historical researcher and ghost expert Craig Owens to find out the answer once and for all. Join museum director Laura Crook as she and Mr. Owens discuss why Victorian architecture is often presumed to be haunted and whether or not that assumption applies to our very own 1890's house museum. Here we will share the findings and analyze the audio evidence found from two recent investigations. Is there indeed a doctor lingering in the house?

Hidden in Plain Sight with MONA

In this presentation MONA Executive Director Corrie Siegel will use neon art from Glendale and surrounding areas as a model to consider what we save and build from as we rewrite our past and present.

Art in Times of War with She Loves Collective

She Loves Collective, an alliance of female artists who share a strong belief in the power of creating social change through art, present a recap of MY RELIC (three pop-up exhibits on display April 11th-May 2nd on Artsakh Avenue) and HER RELIC (an immersive installation on display June 3rd- August 15th at ReflectSpace Gallery). Both pieces came together in the wake of unprovoked aggressions and destruction waged by Azerbaijan and its closest ally, Turkey, against the Armenian enclave of Artsakh and the Armenian people. With the majority of the collective members identifying as Armenian- in a time of unrest and uncertainty the female “artivists” channeled their trauma, pain, and anger through their art.

Rockhaven Sanitarium: Gracious Past and Uncertain Future

A documentary on Rockhaven Sanitarium, one of Glendale's greatest and least-known treasures. Beginning in 1923, Rockhaven provided dignified care for mentally ill women. Owned and operated by women, it was groundbreaking both in women's history and in the history of the treatment of mental illness. This beautifully filmed and produced movie lovingly details the story of Rockhaven Sanitarium, from its vital past to its current abandoned present.

Neil Parsons, Author of Clicko the Wild Dancing Bushman

“In Conversation with Neil Parsons.” Dr. Parsons is the author of, Clicko: The Wild Dancing Bushman, which tells the remarkable story of Franz Taibosh. Mr. Taibosh, originally from South Africa, traveled the world as a performer with Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus. Dr. Parsons will discuss how Mr. Taibosh found his way to Glendale during a time racial policies forced him to hide from his white neighbors.

Joe Ackerman’s Life in Glendale

Julie (Ackerman) Anderson, presenting her new book The Golden Age of Hollywood Through the Lens of Joe Ackerman.

Julie’s father, Joe Ackerman, moved to Glendale in the 1940’s and started collecting autographs and celebrity photos that he took himself over several decades, amassing a huge collection. For the past 10 years, the collection has resided at the Hollywood Museum and is considered one of the greatest autograph collections in the world.

Master Architects of Southern California 1920-1940: Paul R. Williams

Writer, historian, and television producer Stephen Gee discusses the work and innovation of celebrated Los Angeles architect Paul Revere Williams, FAIA. During his presentation, the author of Master Architects of Southern California 1920-1940: Paul R. Williams (Tailwater Press/Angel City Press, 2021) will focus on the improbable career of the pioneering architect, the first African American member of the American Institute of Architects and the organization’s first African-American Fellow and Gold Medalist. In his six-decade career, Williams worked on more than 3,000 projects ranging from modest affordable housing to mansions for Hollywood celebrities. He also earned plaudits for his commercial and civic work, including the luxurious department store Saks Fifth Avenue (with John and Donald B. Parkinson, 1937) and the Music Corporation of America building (1940), both in Beverly Hills.

Brand Fly-in Centennial
Raising the Bar

Join our 20’s Prohibition bartenders, Peter Rusch and Scott Halloran, at “The Cockpit Club” as they walk you through and discuss the history behind four classic cocktails. These libations are sure to be the perfect concoctions for raising a lively toast to Leslie Brand and his flying machines!

Also featured as we imbibe: a special premiere and sneak peek at an upcoming documentary, which will further explore this historic event and Mr. Brand’s forays into Glendale’s up-and-coming enterprises: filmmaking and aviation.

Native Tile & Ceramics - A Virtual Studio Tour

Enter the magical world of Native Tile & Ceramics as you tour the quaint studio for a unique virtual learning experience led by master ceramic artisan Diana Mausser. Immerse yourselves in the artistry of tile-making inspired by the legacy of the early 20th century historic California masters. Diana Mausser will give a brief introduction of how she began her journey as a ceramic tile craftsperson and business owner. She will then demonstrate a few of the tile-making processes, interspersed with videos to present a complete picture of all of the processes involved in creating Native Tile’s beautiful hand-made treasures.

Stories of Black Residents in Glendale: Past and Present

Arlene Vidor discussed what made Glendale the poster child for racism, even in a racist climate. Even among 100 or so towns in California that imposed Sundown practices to discriminate against Black people, Glendale distinguished itself as being one of the most racist. Find out what historically made Glendale notorious and how it is addressing its legacy.

Next, Tara Peterson interviewed members from Black in Glendale about their personal experiences.

Life, Death, and Medicine in the Victorian Age

Living in the Victorian Age brought with it challenges that are distant to our modern world. Travel back in time with our panel of historical authors as they discuss daily hazards like gunshot wounds and concussions, treatment by medical doctors and indigenous healers, the establishment of poor farms for the mentally ill and indigents, mourning etiquette, and more.

Sweet Holiday Traditions from Cultures Near and Far

It’s TGHS’s Virtual Holiday Party! Take your sweet tooth on a global tour with Glendale author Krystina Castella, who will serve up delights from around the world. She will share selected recipes for the holidays along with unique cultural insights from her latest cookbook, “A World of Cake: 150 Recipes for Sweet Traditions from Near and Far.”

If you are interested in purchasing any of Krystina's books click here to email her directly. A portion of all proceeds will be donated to Ascencia.

Shining a Spotlight on the Alex Theatre: Past and Present

The historic Alex Theatre is lauded as an icon, a cultural landmark, and is one of the most impressive theatres of its kind. In September, The Alex celebrated its 95th Birthday. A virtual fundraiser was created which featured an informative and entertaining tour entitled “An Architectural and Historical Tour of the Alex” with Musical Theatre Guild Member, Jason Graae, serving as its host. The Glendale Historical Society presented and funded the tour in partnership with Glendale Arts. We are proud to present to the membership a screening of the Alex tour, along with an introduction by the managing director of the Alex Theatre, Nina Crowe. An opportunity for TGHS members to support The Alex in order to raise the funds needed to ensure its future during these challenging times is encouraged during the presentation. Click here to make a donation to the Alex.

In addition to the Alex tour a special “Behind the Scenes” short of the 2019 TGHS event “Thanks for the Memories” celebrating film, people, and Glendale history, hosted by NPR personality Adam Felber, will be presented. The short will also include an interview with the events director, Vice President of the Alex Film Society, Randy Carter.

Hidden Gems: A Behind-the-Scenes Look at the Art of Forest Lawn

For more than 100 years, art has been a central part of the Forest Lawn story. James Fishburne, Director of Forest Lawn Museum, offers an inside look at objects from the collection that have never before been exhibited. The presentation will examine a variety of artworks and artifacts, including original architectural renderings for buildings that were never constructed, oil on canvas sketches for large-scale mosaic murals, and glass “magic lantern” slides from the early twentieth century. The objects are visually stunning and offer fascinating insights into the history of Forest Lawn.

Treasures of Adams Hill with Arlene Vidor

A pictorial look at Glendale’s Adams Hill neighborhood — past and present. Formerly part of Tropico, a mythologized city that existed for only seven years, Adams Hill evolved into Glendale’s most bohemian and architecturally distinctive neighborhood with an eclectic mix of homes piled up on the hills, many apartment buildings and a quaint business district that includes a historic gas station repurposed as an art space. Adams Hill marches to its own tune with both an urban and small town vibe. Click here for Arlene’s walking map of Adams Hill

Our Favorite Features

Join us as six of our TGHS members take you on a virtual journey through their homes which explores and introduces their favorite features. Along with a presentation of their home’s highlights, each mini tour will also uncover the dwelling’s first residents, builders and each neighborhood’s fascinating historic past. The importance and value of conducting a historical research study of your home, and the pride in the restoration and preservation of its original features are illustrated in each presentation.

In the spirit of our in person annual home tour each “features" tour includes a live interactive Q&A session with attendees and the tour hosts. The event host and moderator is actor, writer, Historic Preservation Chair for the Rossmoyne/Mountain Homeowners Association and Preservation Advocacy Committee Member, Robin Fey. Robin and her family reside in a beautiful 1915 Craftsman which is listed in the Glendale Register of Historic Resources.

“Our Favorite Features” Tour Hosts:
Anita Rinaldi-Harnden & Russell Harnden III
Joemy Wilson & Jon Harvey
Patricia Messina & Terrance Hines

Bringing History to Light with The Museum of Neon Art

An illuminating journey through the history of neon signage and art.

Join Corrie Siegel, Executive Director of the Museum of Neon Art (MONA) and Ani Mnatsakanyan, Curator of Education and Engagement, for an illuminating journey through the history of neon signage and art, from the scientific discoveries that made this transfixing medium possible, to the brilliant ways it can shed light on our communal stories. The technology involved in creating the distinctive glow of neon remains mostly unchanged since its development in the 1920s. Neon is an intimately handcrafted medium; all neon tubing for signs and artworks is bent by a highly skilled individual, who has tested their craft for many years over an open flame. Examples of historic signage from Glendale and greater Los Angeles will show how neon can be a beacon for communities and can spark new understanding about our role in history. Download Glowing Glendale walking tour here.

“How to Research your Historic Home” with Tim Gregory

Historian Tim Gregory presents an interactive seminar on how to investigate the history of your home. A written step-by-step guide will be supplied in advance - everything you need to be your own house detective! Click here to download the document Tim Gregory is referring to.

"Early Glendale" with Arlene Vidor

“Early Glendale” is an entertaining pictorial adventure from the Spanish rancho period through the first half of the 20th century, as Glendale became known as ‘the fastest growing city in America’. What attracted people to this place? How did the city gain notoriety? What is unique about Glendale and what does it have in common with other urban centers? There are some surprises along the way. But the city’s history is also exemplary of the growing pains, turbulence and precipitous changes that define America, itself. So sit back, relax and enjoy the journey with us. Click here to download the document associated with this presentation.

Judson Studios Virtual Tour and Presentation

Judson is a world-renowned family of artisans who began crafting stained glass windows in Los Angeles in 1897. Five generations have worked with artists, architects and designers to create Old-World-style stained glass whose quality and craftsmanship has often been compared to the work of Louis Tiffany. Judson Studios is famed for its Craftsman glass. Their work with Frank Lloyd Wright on Hollyhock House in the 1920s was recently re-saluted when the house was named to the UNESCO World Heritage Sites list.