It was one of those “you had to have been there moments.” Dozens of West Hollywood residents turned out at a ceremony at Plummer Park’s Great Hall / Long Hall last night for an annual celebration of the city’s efforts at preserving its historic buildings. There were speeches by elected officials such as Councilmember Lauren Meister and by former members of the city’s Historic Preservation Commission such as Marc Yeber. Attendees admired the plaque newly attached to the front of Great Hall / Long Hall claiming its designation as historically significant on the National Register of Historic Places.
But what really sparked cheers and applause was an unanticipated serenade by John Duran, a member of the West Hollywood City Council and the L.A. Gay Men’s Chorus. Surrounded by a mariachi band, Duran sang in Spanish, with the audience cheering and clapping. There is no official video of the performance, but Stephanie Harker quickly moved to capture part of it on her iPad and generously shared it with WEHOville.com and our readers. Jon Viscott also photographed Duran’s performance and other aspects of the event.
Now, can it be repaired???
They are incredible buildings that the city neglected for decades. Now it’s time to bring them back to their original charm. I hope this means we can count on Duran’s support now. The rest of the city is being bulldozed; isn’t that enough?
I keep asking the usual choir of cranks their credentials but have never gotten an answer. They would have been miserable last night because the fiesta was a celebration of historic preservation in the only city-owned property in the National Register. The photograph on the outside brick fireplace of a 1939 (?) Fiesta with Eugenio Plummer, the original owner of the Plummer Rancho, standing in front of that very fireplace was a powerful reminder of the history of this park and these buildings. John Duran’s mariachi performance was indeed impressive and oddly appropriate, I hope he will repeat it at… Read more »
A truly lovely evening. History abounds! Tis’ tres obvious the commenters above did not attend. Blog Snipers…afraid to show their faces in public for fear of being identified as ignorant. Their loss. Thank you to the City of West Hollywood for putting on a great event.
The National Register of Historic Places found it to be historical enough to be placed on their register. Who knows better, you guys or them?
It is a WPA building. It is historical. It is worthy. You three are obviously John Heilman groupies.
Truly a hideous event space.
I agree Don…and it should be moved to make way for more green space.
Sorry but WHY? There are many other sites in our city that should be recognized if not designated as historical..not sure why this one is. “Architectually” it isn’t much to get excited about. Function is wonderful of course. But …..