BARNSDALL PARK & HOLLYHOCK HOUSE
OFFER L.A. HISTORY AND A QUIET, WELCOME GETAWAY…
AND WINE TASTING FRIDAYS!

Apparently last Thursday was my L.A. culture day, as after a nice afternoon visit to the impressive Norton Simon Museum, I ventured over to East Hollywood’s Barnsdall Park for a guided tour of Hollyhock House.

Designed by acclaimed American architect Frank Lloyd Wright, Hollyhock House was Wright's first Los Angeles project. Built between 1919 and 1921, it represents his earliest efforts to develop a regionally appropriate style of architecture for Southern California. Wright himself referred to it as ‘California Romanza,’ using a musical term meaning "freedom to make one's own form.”

Taking advantage of Los Angeles' dry, temperate climate, Hollyhock House is a remarkable combination of house and gardens. In addition to the central garden court, each major interior space adjoins an equivalent exterior space, connected either by glass doors, a porch, pergola or colonnade. A series of rooftop terraces further extend the living space and provide magnificent views of the Los Angeles basin and the Hollywood Hills.

Home to oil heiress Aline Barnsdall, an unconventional, independent woman with a passion for the arts who actually donated the final $5,000 to help build the Hollywood Bowl, client and architect were often at odds as to how the house should be built. I found the tour fascinating and the house equally impressive.

The home takes its name from the favorite flower of Aline Barnsdall. At her request, hollyhocks were incorporated into the decorative program of the house, and stylized representations of the flower may be found on the roofline, walls, columns planters and furnishings.

Today, surrounded by a modern theater and art galleries, Hollyhock House comes closer to realizing its original purpose as the centerpiece of a functioning arts complex.

And with summer now upon us, Barnsdall Art Park and Hollyhock House, along with Silverlake Wine, will present four selections of boutique, small production, artisanal wines from around the globe every Friday night.

Tickets will be $20 and available ONLINE ONLY. All profits from the wine tasting will benefit Barnsdall Art Park Foundation programs and projects, such as Free Sunday Art Classes for children and families in the community, as well as capital projects like the Monument Sign.

Also, the Coolhaus truck will be selling unique and delicious ice cream sandwiches, including a special Barnsdall flavor, Honeyhock Ice Cream. And the famous Let’s Be Frank hot dog truck will also be selling their 100% grass-fed beef hot dogs and family-farmed pork sausages.

Summer nights just got a little better.

Hollyhock House is located at 4800 Hollywood Boulevard at Barnsdall Park. Guided tours are offered Wednesdays through Sundays at 12:30pm, 1:30pm, 2:30pm & 3:30pm. Cost is $7 for adults, $3 for seniors and $2 for 17 and under or if accompanied by an adult for free. Free parking.

Photos By: Denise Chacon