La Cañada Flintridge is receiving three historical artifacts gifted by the La Cañada Unified School District, city officials announced.
LCUSD partnered with the Lanterman Historical Museum Foundation this year to further support its mission to collect, preserve and share artifacts to appreciate and understand La Cañada Flintridge’s diverse history. City officials expressed their “deepest gratitude” to the school district for donating the following items:
- Tea Rose [Portrait of Helen Haskell Thomas], circa 1893. It is an oil portrait by Seymour Thomas of his wife, Helen Haskell Thomas, who was the first schoolteacher in La Cañada.
- Batchelder tile fireplace from the Bullock House, circa 1924. The 12-foot fireplace was made by the Batchelder Tile Company and installed in the living room of the Bullock House on Palm Drive. When the house was demolished, the fireplace was carefully preserved by Amy Green of Silverlake Conservation. Every tile was removed, cleaned, numbered and individually packed away. Batchelder tiles are prized today by collectors. The tile company famously started in humble beginnings in the backyard of Ernest Batchelder’s house in the Arroyo Seco, a mere 10 miles away from the Bullock House.
- Entrance gates to the Bullock House, made by Huntington Ironworks, circa 1924. The gates were created by local blacksmith Jim Huntington, crafted for the entrance of the country retreat located on Palm Drive. Huntington settled in La Cañada in 1914, crafting decorative ironwork for the luxurious homes in the Flintridge development as well as the former Flintridge Country Club and the Flintridge Hotel (now Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy).
“On behalf of the city, we are deeply grateful to LCUSD for their generous donation of these priceless gifts. LCF is committed to preserving and learning from our history, and these artifacts will allow us to connect with our past and inspire future generations.” said City Manager Daniel Jordan. “We are grateful that our city has a treasure like the Lanterman Historical Museum Foundation that gives our residents the opportunity to learn about and reflect on the development of La Cañada Flintridge.”
The items add to the city’s existing collection of historical artifacts. Representatives of LCUSD and Lanterman Historical Museum Foundation are attending the City Council meeting on June 18 to bestow the gifts and give further recognition.
The city is working with the Lanterman House to determine the best way to display the artifacts for the appreciation and enjoyment of La Cañada Flintridge residents and visitors. For more information on the Lanterman Historical Museum Foundation, visit LantermanHouse.org.
First published in the May 30 print issue of the Outlook Valley Sun.
