Laguna Beach Historical Society Program Monday March 15th Ted Wells to Speak on Architectural Modernism in Laguna Beach

The next Laguna Beach Historical Society program will be Monday, March 15th “Architectural Modernism in Laguna Beach” by Ted Wells. The program is from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. and will be held at the Laguna Beach City Hall Council Chambers, 505 Forest Avenue. The public is invited and there is no charge.

Laguna architecture of the 1960s and 70s has become an important part of our city’s character, even though these buildings have yet to be officially recognized in our historic resource inventory. Wells sees this architecture as expression of a modern approach to design, employing new materials, methods, and innovations in form and siting in relation to the environment.

Laguna Beach has been a proving ground for creative architects such as Lamont Langworthy, Chris Abel, and Fred Briggs, who produced important examples of this modern aesthetic. Wells will discuss the significance of this modern architecture and will present worthy local examples, focusing on the Laguna Beach Library by Briggs, as well as groundbreaking work by other architects whose work in Laguna Beach is often under-appreciated by historians and the public.

Wells predicts the eventual widespread appreciation of modern architecture of the late 1960s and 70s, and that Laguna Beach has a unique place within the legacy of the development of later 20th century modernism in Southern California.

Ted Wells designed the innovative “Rust House” near the hospital, and is not only a talented designer but also an architectural historian and former president of the Southern California Society of Architectural Historians.

There is a new Laguna Beach Sightseeing Catamaran Tour from Dana Point Harbor, Saturdays and Sundays from 12:00pm - 3:00pm that the Society recommends. See www.danawharf.com for details.

The Laguna Beach Historical Society has a new web site to view historic photographs at www.Laguna-Historical-Society.smugmug.com. For those having 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 without the necessity for the owners to relinquish the item. Viewers are invited to leave comments to help the Society better identify or date the photographs. At the web site, prints can also be purchase; for example an 8” by 10” glossy for $6.97 plus tax and shipping.

Step back into 1920s Laguna by visiting the Laguna Beach Historical Society Murphy-Smith Bungalow which located at 278 Ocean Avenue and which is opened to the public at no-charge every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. The Society needs a web master volunteer, as well as volunteers to greet visitors to the Murphy-Smith Bungalow and should call 939-7257.

Those interested in supporting and joining the Laguna Beach Historical Society should send $15 per individual, $25 per household or $50 per business/organization to 278 Ocean Avenue, Laguna Beach CA 92651. The Laguna Beach Historical Society is a section 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Tax ID #33-0519882.