Inventing the Southwest: The Architectural Significance of El Alisal

Thursday, August 21 | 7:00 pm

Join PMH Visitor Services and Outreach Manager, Christian Rodriguez, who is also the Curator of El Alisal, as he explores the life and enduring legacy of Charles F. Lummis (1859-1928) through the lens of his remarkable home, El Alisal. Designed and built by Lummis beginning in 1897, El Alisal was more than just a residence, it serves as an architectural manifesto— one of the earliest and most influential examples of the Arts and Crafts movement in Southern California. We will examine the home’s lasting architectural significance, arguing for its foundational role in shaping regional styles not only in Los Angeles but across the American Southwest, and explore the history of the home’s preservation and how it has been maintained as a museum and cultural landmark to this day.

Presentation will begin at 7:00 pm; PMH Galleries will be open for viewing at 6:00 pm.

Space is limited; advance reservations required.

An Open House visit to El Alisal – The Charles F. Lummis Home and Gardens is scheduled for Saturday, August 23 from 4:00 to 6:00 pm. Tickets are sold separately. For tickets and information, click .

Image: Charles F. Lummis sitting in the Museo at El Alisal, 1928 - El Alisal Collection

Host or Publisher Pasadena Museum of History