The grand opening will include music, refreshments, tours of the house and nearby landmarks, as well as activities for children.
“This event marks the culmination of many years of effort to save an important part of Santa Monica history and give it a purpose that meets contemporary needs. Members of the Conservancy worked tirelessly, building on the efforts of concerned residents, the former Ocean Park Community Organization (OPCO), the Church in Ocean Park and City officials to prevent demolition the turn-of-the-20th-century shotgun house, said Carol Lemlein, Conservancy president.
“The Conservancy developed an adaptive reuse plan, raised funds for its rehabilitation and oversaw its transformation into the Preservation Resource Center,” Lemlein said.
The Center will provide residents and visitors the opportunity to experience the kind of structures used by early tourists and settlers along with a wealth of information about other historic resources in Santa Monica and the methods and benefits of preserving older buildings. Docents will offer tours and assistance in using a library of preservation resources, and workshops will be held for home and business owners contemplating a preservation project.
The Preservation Resource Center will be open Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays from 11am to2 pm, and by appointment.
For more information about the Center as well as other Conservancy programs and membership, go to smconservancy.org.
The Grand Opening is free to the public. Reservations via email to rsvp@smconservancy.org or by leaving a message at 310.496.3146.
In case of rain, the event will take place at the same time on Saturday, January 30.
