WHAT WE DO
Pasadena Heritage works to protect Pasadena’s architectural and cultural resources; advocates for endangered buildings; offers tours, workshops, lectures and other educational programs; and provides consultation and referral services for members.
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 is one of the oldest historic preservation groups in Southern California and the second largest in the state. With more than 1,400 members, it is also one of the City of Pasadena’s largest membership organizations. Pasadena Heritage has played a leading role in such preservation efforts as saving Old Pasadena (the city’s oldest commercial district, once derelict and now one of the greatest downtown revitalization success stories in the country), the Colorado Street Bridge, the Huntington Hotel, the 710 Freeway and the historic houses in its path, the Civic Center, and the Blacker House. It also works regularly to protect and enhance individual properties and historic neighborhoods.
Pasadena Heritage offers serveral public educational programs each year. Its Old Pasadena Walking Tours, customer bus tours, and Annual Spring Home Tour attract hundreds of visitors annually. The Craftsman Weekend, a three-day event held in October, focuses on the American Arts & Crafts Movement and its expression in Pasadena. Activities include lectures, restoration furnishings of this popular period in the arts and architecture. More than 4,000 people participated in the 2014 Craftsman Weekend.
Every summer, the community celebrates with Pasadena Heritage at its evening gala on the historic Colorado Street Bridge, one of the world’s most beautiful bridges and a preservation success story.
The organization has nominated more than 2,000 buildings to the National Register of Historic Places and holds more than 67 preservation easements. Through its revolving Preservation Fund, Pasadena Hertiage has completed several award-winning restoration and rehabilitation projects, including the Easton House, Gartz Court and the Charlotte Perkins Gilman House.
Through the Pasadena Heritage Oral History Project, the personal histories of long-time residents are recorded, transcribed and published. The project seeks to broaden the understanding of community life from a variety of perspectives and document the experiences and memories of Pasadenans from all walks of life.
Pasadena Heritage is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization supported by membership dues and other funds raised in the community. Membership is open to all. Join us today!