September 25, 2006

Dear Neighbor,
In 2005, a small handful of local history buffs and architecture enthusiasts started casually meeting in each other’s homes seeking to promote an appreciation for the mid-20th Century architecture in our area. We call our group the Foothill Moderns.

The Little Landers Historical Society recently approved our proposal to mount an exhibit at Bolton Hall focusing on the mid-20th Century modern architecture in Sunland-Tujunga. The exhibit will run from March 10, 2007 through August 28, 2007. Our exhibit will overlap the annual Sunland-Tujunga Home Tour in May, and we plan to tie-in to this event with a special off-site presentation staged at a mid-century era home.

Local homes designed by some of the more famous architects of the era such as Neutra, Koenig, Lautner and Weston will be highlighted. We will also be concentrating on two unique tracts built in the post & beam style by visionary local developer Victor Sease; the Descanso Tract which includes Haines Canyon and Apperson north of Foothill, and the Crystal Springs Tract, which takes in Haines Canyon south of Foothill. If you are receiving this letter, you very likely live in one of these special homes, and we need your help!
We seek to personalize the exhibit with “house histories” – items from the era in the form of photographs, blueprints, letters, and memorabilia -- to give a sense of the people who inhabited these homes when they were constructed in the early-to-mid 1950s. In addition, we are interested in video-taping or audio-taping any long-time residents who have memories they wish to share with us. Those neighbors who recall the construction of these homes, or who knew the developers or architects personally are implored to come forward and share your recollections!

Please rest assured that all personal belongings loaned to us will be handled with great care.
We will keep papers and photographs just as long as it takes to scan or duplicate them. Original 2-dimensional and 3-dimensional objects loaned for the exhibit will be kept in locked display cases at Bolton Hall. These items will need to stay with the exhibit for its six-month duration. All loans or donations will be gratefully acknowledged in the exhibition, as well as in the printed exhibit program.

Enclosed is a postcard with a stamped envelope. If you have any research or exhibit materials to loan, or would like to become involved in any aspect of planning this exhibit, please let us know as soon as possible. There is much to do and we welcome your participation in any form!

We have set-up a web site where you can post information, participate in a discussion, share a memory, upload a photo, get updates, etc. Please visit us at: http://foothillmoderns.blogspot.com.

If you have any questions, please contact us: 818-293-2234.

We look forward to hearing from you!
Best wishes,

Marsha Perloff – 6818 Apperson Street Bridget Murnane – 6824 Apperson Street

 
Name: ___________________________________________________
Address: _________________________________________________
Phone: ________________________ Email: ___________________________
Years in this home? _______ Years in Sunland-Tujunga community? ________
Would you be interested in offering an oral history? Yes No
If you have any materials to loan for the exhibition, please describe:
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
Can you help in any of the following ways (please check all that apply):
Publicity Fundraising Research Print/Graphics Exhibit
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