In a region that is constantly evolving, we partner with community residents who celebrate Los Angeles' rich layers of history -- by preserving the architectural and cultural heritage of previous generations, and by adding their own contributions to their neighborhoods' history and way of life.

Ultimately, we want to broaden the scope of historic preservation so that it reflects and restores the urban social history of Latinos within the cultural landscape and architectural heritage of Los Angeles County.

Bolstered by a Partners in the Field grant from the National Trust for Historic Preservation, our Latina/o outreach includes technical assistance, program development, relationship-building, and assistance with specific preservation issues.

Wyvernwood Garden Apartments

Wyvernwood residents show their support. Photo by Adrian Scott Fine/ L.A. Conservancy.

We've been working for years with residents, neighborhood groups, and elected officials to protect the 1939 Wyvernwood Garden Apartments in Boyle Heights. The first garden apartment complex in Los Angeles, Wyvernwood is a unique historic community that faces replacement with a $2 billion mixed-use development project.

More About Wyvernwood

Self Help Graphics & Art Building

Photo courtesy Historic Resources Group.

We've also worked for several years with community members to recognize and protect the former East Los Angeles home of Self Help Graphics & Art. The site has a rich, layered history as the longtime home of the renowned Chicana/o arts organization, as well as the Catholic Youth Organization and musicians who developed the legendary East L.A. sound.

More About Self Help Graphics & Art Building

Maravilla Handball Court

Maravilla community kids playing handball at the court. Photo by Conservancy staff.

We're working with the Maravilla Historical Society to preserve and revitalize the oldest handball court in East L.A., built brick by brick by residents in 1923.

More About Maravilla Handball Court

Guide to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)

In 2010, we produced a bilingual guide to using the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) to protect historic places, including practical tips and case studies from various communities.

Utilización de la ley CEQA para proteger a su comunidad (PDF, en Español)

Using CEQA to Protect Your Community (PDF, English)

Celebrating Historic Boyle Heights

Photo by Omar Gonzalez.

In January 2011, we worked with several partners on a free community event celebrating the rich history of Boyle Heights. More than 150 people attended the combination of community fair, SurveyLA findings presentation, and walking tour.

Celebrating Historic Boyle Heights

Pico-Union: Layers of History

Photo by Conservancy staff.

Another partner event in 2009 kicked off a new self-guided walking tour of historic Pico-Union with a community fair and guided tour of the neighborhood.

Pico-Union: Layers of History

An Evening with the Salas Brothers

Photo Courtesy SalasBros.com.

In August 2010, the Conservancy partnered with Levitt Pavilion MacArthur Park to present a free concert with the renowned Salas Brothers, one of the seminal bands from the golden age of Chicano music in East Los Angeles and founders of the Latin funk band Tierra.

The Salas Brothers and the East L.A. Sound