Alex Coolman
GLENDALE -- The tricky thing about looking for historical buildings,
in Andrea Humberger's mind, is that they're moving targets: A structure
that seems irrelevant or even ugly at one time can look, just a few
decades later, like a cultural treasure in need of preservation.
"We have to keep adjusting our minds to it and we have to start to be
able to see what it is about that time period that makes it unique or
interesting or have merit," said Humberger, a past president of the
Glendale Historical Society.
Glendale residents, for too long, have failed to do that for their own
built heritage, Humberger said. The result is that much of that heritage
is no longer around.
"With the exception of a few single buildings like The Alex Theatre or
the Masonic temple or the GlenFed building, Glendale has pretty much
destroyed its architectural heritage in the commercial district."
But there are still many historical buildings in the city, and at a
Thursday forum at the Brand Library and Art Center residents can learn
more about recognizing and preserving those pieces of the city's
heritage.
The program, "Preserving the Character and Historic Integrity of your
Glendale Home and Neighborhood," will focus primarily on domestic
buildings, said Suzanne McKay, a Glendale Historical Society member who
helped to coordinate the evening.
"This slide show will help educate them to appreciate the different
styles" that are present in the city -- from crafstman-style bungalows to
mid-century modern.
Some of these buildings, said Historical Society Preservation Liaison
Rosemarie Ibanez, are so recent that their owners may not realize the
structures' historical value.
"We're in the 21st century now, so those '50s buildings are reaching
that cusp," she said.
LOOKING FOR HISTORY
WHAT: "Preserving the Character and Historic Integrity of your
Glendale Home and Neighborhood."
WHERE: Brand Library and Art Center, 1601 W. Mountain St.
WHEN: 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday.
HOW MUCH: free.
TELEPHONE: 242-7447. See also www.glendalehistorical.org.
