Lucky Baldwin’s San Gabriel Valley

Exclusive Zoom talk for members

This history Zoom presentation by Mitchell Hearns Bishop, Curator of Historical Collections at the Arboretum, is designed especially for members only. Reservations required. Please register here.  To become an Arboretum member, click here.

In the late 19th century, the vast open vistas of the San Gabriel Valley captured the imagination of newcomers and beckoned wealthy speculators such as Elias J. “Lucky” Baldwin who built the Queen Anne Cottage and Coach Barn. The sprawling Rancho Santa Anita and Baldwin Ranch preceded the Arboretum and played major roles in the development and prosperity of the valley.

The region became widely known for its agricultural gems ranging from oranges to exotic plants. Trainloads of tourists disembarked to experience the storied West and meet local celebrities. Who were the Brown boys? Some visitors sought curative relief of the dry weather for their respiratory ailments. Register for talk here.

Bishop is a Fellow of the AIC and was a long-term employee of the J. Paul Getty Trust before his arrival at the Arboretum. His areas of research and publication include the conservation of matte painted surfaces, the preservation and management of historic buildings, landscapes and gardens and the historic use of plants in material culture. Mitchell is also a past president of the Western Association for Art Conservation.

The Autumn Lecture Series is sponsored by MonteCedro.