PRESERVATION... PRESERVATION... PRESERVATION

GONE WITH THE WIND

Last night the Preservation Foundation audience watched, enthralled, the first part (of two parts) of “Gone With the Wind”.  Even if we’d seen it before, we were on the edge of our seats.  Somehow the battles in the film and scenes of the wounded particularly hit home right now.  The  backgrounds, customs and clothing were most interesting.

Tonight is part two, and you should see it.  Non-members are free… do come and join us.  The Preservation Foundation is a private, nonprofit membership organization dedicated to the preservation of the historic, architectural, and cultural heritage of Palm Beach, Florida.  Gone With the Wind is about the preservation of a fine plantation which has been under siege.

6-8 pm, doors close at 6:15.  Must reserve at 561-832-0731.  311 Peruvian Ave, Palm Beach.  One block north of Worth Avenue. Bice Restaurant is right across the street.

VENICE: GLORIOUS ARCHITECTURE THEN, EVEN MORE GLAMOUROUS NOW

ALL seats spoken for at Palm Beach Preservation Foundation’s Venice evening.  “Summertime was shown but the real stars were the buildings, wall murals, exquisite tile work & statues. 

If you have been to Venice, or not, “Summertime” takes you there like it is. The first short showed the gondolas and ferries in fast motion, and made us wonder how there were no accidents on the Grand Canal.  The movie was most romantic and highly scenic.

 

The Foundation building at 311 Peruvian Avenue in downtown Palm Beach is a work of art itself, and worthy of your study.  The appropriateness of the movie for our crowd echoed the mission of the Foundation. 

 

Over 30 years, the Preservation Foundation of Palm Beach has

 

• given millions of dollars for the preservation and restoration of historic properties
• worked advocating for over 290 landmark properties
• recognized numerous architects, owners, and properties with awards
• educated hundreds of thousands of children about the architectural, cultural and environmental legacy of Palm Beach
• saved thousands of archival documents in its library, among many other accomplishments.

 

It is awesome to preserve historical treasures for future study and enjoyment. 

WATER, WATER EVERYWHERE... and Preservation Foundation of Palm Beach brings water usage to our attention!

Four years of continuing drought in California has brought water conservation and use enforcement to the forefront of the news.  Some solutions are building new dams and water-storage facilities and water market approaches re pricing, as well as seeking water elsewhere.

Preservation Foundation President Alexander Ives presented this past week Part 1 of the movie, Cadillac Desert-Mulholland’s Dream, about the role of water in the history of Los Angeles.  The exploding population was using up the water supply so LA Water Department Chief William Mulholland set about seeking water to bring in.  His agents quietly purchased water rights to a lake 230 miles to the east, soon depriving local farmers in Owens Valley the water they needed for their farms and animals from the Owens River.  What followed was havoc, building pipelines that farmers dynamited and otherwise sabotaged.  Nevertheless, the water was transported through the pipelines to Los Angeles creating new neighborhoods, the benefits from which politicians thrived.  This happened in the late 1920’s.

It was a truly timely presentation as Los Angeles struggles today with water conservation and perhaps plans again to divert water from elsewhere.  With an endless ocean right there, one wonders why that water can’t be converted for public use.  Hopefully, someone is working on overcoming whatever obstacles there are to this obvious potential solution.

Marc Reisner, author of Cadillac Desert, describes in his book the economics, history, politics and ecology of water in the reclaiming of the American West.  He was featured in the film.

If Mr. Ives focus is alerting us to our environment and making us aware of what is happening with our natural elements, he is succeeding very well.

GRAND OLD' GULFSTREAM HOTEL IN LAKE WORTH GETTING A NEW LIFE

A historic building on the National Register of Historic Places has been involved in a long-running foreclosure lawsuit.  Sitting at the west end of the Lake Worth Bridge, the hotel looks forlorn when you drive by, with memories of wonderful meals there. 

The 106-room hotel, built in 1923, reportedly defaulted on a loan for $16.7MM.This is the only remaining Grand Hotel of Palm Beach’s “Roaring 20’s” era.

New owners say that the historic façade will remain as is.  They are looking for a top-notch restauranteur and a brand to manage the hotel.  Rooms and the interior will be upgraded but no architect has been selected yet.  The deal included two vacant acres, and plans have not yet been made for what to build on that land.  How about a theatre on the style of the Kravis and Broward Centers?  Plenty of room for a parking garage.  That would make it a fine destination for weekend or week long visitors, and the dining room would overflow.

Intracoastal views are spectacular.  80% of it rooms face the water.  Other features include

• 7.5 miles to Palm Beach, FL
• 13 miles to Delray Beach, FL
• 5 minutes walking to Lake Worth Beach
• Private parking in the same building
• Roof top bar
  Looking forward to their reopening and this may just give Lake Worth a shot-in-the-arm for more cultural venues to buy into the area.  Good news indeed!