Area Institutions Provide Palisades Fire Updates

By SARAH SHMERLING | Editor-in-Chief

Area institutions—which have housed art, historical items and more for decades in Pacific Palisades—have provided updates on their spaces during and following the Palisades fire.

Getty Villa

The Getty Villa in Castellammare remained “safe and intact,” according to a post shared on Instagram on January 8—the day after the fire began.

“While trees and vegetation on the property have burned, Getty structures have been unaffected, and thankfully, both staff and the collections are safe,” the post continued.

Getty Villa released a story on January 27, detailing how the site was spared from the fire’s destruction, beginning with Getty Emergency Preparedness Specialist Les Borsay being in the middle of routine testing of the museum’s fire alarm system the morning it began—offering a “window into how seriously Getty takes emergency preparedness.”

“The site’s construction and groundskeeping, as well as strategic efforts by local firefighters, helped spare the Villa from major damage,” read the story. “And when flames popped up in and around the Villa grounds, a front line of staff fought off the flare-ups themselves.”

The walls are built with reinforced concrete, topped with tile roof, according to the story. The buildings also feature fire separations, with fire-rated doors that can “stop the spread of smoke or fire throughout the rest of the site.”

The full story is available at getty.edu/news.

Will Rogers State Historic Park and Topanga State Park

The Palisades fire destroyed historic buildings and structures at two California State Parks: Will Rogers State Historic Park and Topanga State Park.

Among the destroyed structures were Will Rogers’ historic ranch house and other buildings at the park, Topanga Ranch Motel and all concessions, and State Park employee residences. There were more than 30 structural losses reported between Topanga and Will Rogers.

“California State Parks mourns the loss of these treasured natural and cultural resources,” State Parks Director Armando Quintero said in a statement January 8, “and our hearts go out to everyone impacted by the devastating fires in the Los Angeles area.”

Eames House

The Eames Foundation posted a series of updates regarding the historic Eames House museum on Chautauqua Boulevard.

“We are relieved that as of Thursday, January 23, the Palisades fire is no longer a direct threat to the Eames House and that the Eames Foundation now has ongoing access to the site,” read a statement. “The building is structurally in good condition but was impacted by the secondary effects of the fire and storm. The foundation is currently having the building and site assessed by fire mitigation and conservation experts in order to initiate the necessary safety and conservation measures.”

Designed and constructed by husband and wife Charles and Ray Eames to serve as their home and studio, Eames House is described as a “landmark of mid-20th century modern architecture.”

“The Charles and Ray Eames House Preservation Foundation, Inc. was established in 2004 in order to preserve and protect the Eames House and to provide educational experiences that celebrate the creative legacy of Charles and Ray Eames,” according to its website.

Throughout the year, the house hosts several types of events, from “cocktail parties and dinners to think tanks in the studio and other events.”

More information can be found at eamesfoundation.org.

Villa Aurora and Thomas Mann House

Executive Director of Villa Aurora on Paseo Miramar and Thomas Mann House on San Remo Drive Dr. Jakob Scherer reported in a newsletter on February 5 that Villa Aurora had not been visibly damaged in the fire, though it did reach its gardens, and Thomas Mann House “appears to be unscathed.”

“We are very relieved that all fellows and staff members of Villa Aurora and the Thomas Mann House could be quickly evacuated and brought to safety,” Scherer wrote. “This was our highest priority.”

A detailed damage assessment of the interior furnishings and smoke damage on the two houses still needs to be completed, according to Scherer. The stability of the hillside on which Villa Aurora sits will need to be evaluated for stability.

Villa Aurora serves as an artist residence, housing visual artists, writers, filmmakers, composers and performance artists. Thomas Mann Fellowship recipients “initiate debates about fundamental global issues confronting society both now and in the future.”

“We expect the earliest date for Villa Aurora to resume hosting fellows to be July 2025,” Scherer wrote. “The Thomas Mann House may be able to resume operations at an earlier date.”

Current calls for applications for next year for both houses “will continue without restrictions,” though “flexible and individual solutions” will be developed for fellows “who cannot take up their residency because of the current situation.”

Updates are available at vatmh.org.