Please help preserve local history

The Board of Directors of the Laguna Beach Historical Society appreciates all the support we have received, but we would appreciate more. We want to encourage people to come to our functions, and to encourage friends and neighbors to become members.

In addition, the board requests donations of historic artifacts and photographs. The board is concerned that every day some of Laguna’s history is being lost. For those with treasured historic photographs or printed material, the Historical Society is happy to scan them electronically and return them to the owners. This way there will be a record preserved for future generations.

The board is most thankful to Wells Fargo Bank for leasing us the Murphy-Smith Bungalow, and to the City of Laguna Beach for its annual $1,000 grant. The top priority of the board is to ensure that the bungalow is open to be enjoyed and experienced by members and the public.

Currently the Murphy-Smith House is opened to the public at no charge Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 1 to 4 p.m. Please come by and step back into 1920s Laguna.

In addition, we plan to have an ongoing series of activities to learn about and explore the history of Laguna Beach. In the past, we have held programs on the 1978 Bluebird Canyon slide, saving Laguna Canyon, the 1993 Laguna wildfire, Villa Rockledge and the history of the Laguna Art Museum.

Our heritage month program will be held at the Laguna Beach City Council Chambers on May 15 from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m.

Financial support is appreciated. Those interested in joining the Laguna Beach Historical Society should send $15 per household or $50 per organization or business to 278 Ocean Ave., Laguna Beach, CA 92651.

There is more information on the society and Laguna history at LagunaHistory.org. Volunteers are needed. Those who’d like to get involved, should contact me at (949) 939-7257 or Gene@Felders.Net.

* Gene Felder is president of the Laguna Beach Historical Society.