Activities
Historic Lecture Series
Our stimulating and informative Lectures are chosen for the history of Early California and have covered the Rancho Era, Spanish Adobe and Colonial Architecture, Malibu Tile, the history of filmmaking on Rancho lands; How and why so many Los Angeles Streets bear Saint’s names.
Tales of Former Residents of the Hacienda
The stories these thick walls could tell: The “Mexican Valentino” followed by the flamboyant Anita Loos set the pattern for residents of entertaining personalities and accomplishments. Mary Loos and Lyle Wheeler filled that mold and then some. Good fortune caused all their stories to be passed down through oral history to this generation for preservation.
Films, Films and More Films
In La Señora’s Teatro del Canyon we screen some of the over 600 Classic Films made by former residents of the Hacienda. Yes, there are the films with Academy Awards…lots of them. But we also have Mary Loos’ film that “saved” a scenic railroad, even as it showcased Marilyn Monroe in her first movie role as a chorus girl.
Concerts
Jose Mojica was an opera star, but he also sang the songs of the land; Anita Loos’ guests included Cole Porter and ‘the Gershwin Boys’ who played piano during soirees. A Mexican neighborhood of course brought Latin dances.
Research Projects
Our research programs are conducted at three levels, all designed to interact with each other to enhance educational opportunities.
La Señora engages in Work/Study Programs: Graduate and undergraduate student interns from local universities perform historic research and fact checking for our educational activities. These interns work with the support of La Señora’s Historian to capture and present historical data in an entertaining and easily absorbed way .
Educational Programs
The goal of our educational programs is to captivate the imagination, invigorate scholarly research on a little known Era, and deepen our understanding of our cultural heritage.
Botanical Gardens
Air orchids, plaintains, bromeliads, brought from Mexico by Mojica to dwell alongside Santa Monica Creek ferns and sycamores, all are found in abundance in this mini ecosystem. Botany classes and Garden Tours are available. On April 26, 2009 our gardens were part of the Pacific Palisades Historical Society Garden Tour.
