About Us
Discover how we pursue the best for Pasadena through advocacy, education, and the protection of Pasadena’s unique historic resources.
PASADENA HERITAGE
About Us
Pasadena Heritage was incorporated in 1977 as a 501(c) (3) non-profit historic preservation organization. Since inception, we have grown from a grass-roots group of concerned citizens to one of the largest preservation organization in California. Our programs directly benefit the City of Pasadena and attract a broad regional audience.
We advocate for the protection and preservation of the historic resources of Pasadena and provide educational programming and events showcasing the city’s rich history and extraordinary architectural legacy.
PASADENA HERITAGE
Our Mission
The mission of Pasadena Heritage is to identify, preserve and protect the historic, architectural and cultural resources of the City of Pasadena through advocacy and education.
PASADENA HERITAGE
Our Home: The Blinn House
The Blinn House was designed in 1905 by renowned Chicago architect George Washington Maher and is the only known Maher residential structure built west of the Mississippi River. Featuring finely detailed woodwork and paneling, beautiful fireplaces, and hardwood floors, the Blinn House is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, both individually and as part of the Ford Place Historic District. The Blinn House is also a Pasadena Cultural Landmark and is listed on the California Register of Historical Resources.
In 2021, after more than 75 years of service to its members and the Pasadena community, the Women’s City Club of Pasadena decided to dissolve and transfer ownership of the Edmund Blinn House to Pasadena Heritage and serves as our offices and remains a meeting space for local community groups.
Photo by Tavo Olmos and Dennis Hill
PASADENA HERITAGE
Historic Preservation
Pasadena Heritage holds more than 80 historic preservation easements (the largest easement program west of the Mississippi), and has a revolving Preservation Fund to assist with hands-on preservation projects. We are best known for the preservation of Old Pasadena, which became a model for preservation planning nationwide, and for the preservation fo the Colorado Street Bridge where we host our biennial Bridge Party.
Major focuses of the organization in the past two years have been the update of the Historic Preservation Ordinance which was strengthened and modernized, the designation of the Pasadena Avenue Historic District to the National Register, and continued advocacy on Pasadena’s Specific Plans and other zoning issues to ensure compatibility with historic resources.
JOIN US
Join us and make a historic impact!
Help preserve Pasadena’s history, save endangered buildings, structures and places, and defend Pasadena’s storied legacy.
