Ah, the Hollywood Heritage Museum. Nestled behind the parking lot of the Hollywood Bowl, it looks like the little house from that depressing conservationist picture book…you know, the one that came out in 1942 as a critique of urban sprawl? The museum looks like this because it is extremely under-funded—a fact that astounds me, given the nature of The Academy and its self-masturbatory…errr self-congratulatory…tendencies (Jill?! Are you reading this?! What I meant to say is unchecked self-admiration). One can’t help but wonder: what does it mean that this organization, which loves to celebrate itself, hasn’t bothered to honor such a fundamental part of its history? What does that say about the Academy’s priorities? This wayside gem—within which resides a cache of archival photographs, movie props, historic documents, wax figures, and TWO functional kinetoscopes—is somewhat neglected, yet a must-see. 

The building that would eventually become “The Lasky-DeMille Barn” was constructed in 1895, back when Hollywood, California was populated by avocado farmers and well-dressed rancheros. In 1913, however, it was purchased by two men who began renting it as a film location. In December of that same year, Cecil B. DeMille leased the barn and studio facilities for $250.00 a month to begin filming The Squaw Man: the very first feature film EVER EVER EVER produced in Los Angeles. And everything thereafter was sunshine and rainbows and equal representation! KIDDING! The sexual-violence obstacle course known as Hollywood was born, becoming more than just the nucleus of an industry…it was a concept, a way of life—nay, AN EMPIRE.

Eventually, the barn was moved to where present-day Paramount was later built. It lived several lives as a film set, research library, conference area, and even the Paramount gym before Hollywood Heritage, Inc. acquired it and converted it into a museum in 1983. So, even if Hollywood history puts you to sleep in class, I  recommend you stop by this under-appreciated spot. Go meet the quirky ex-union tour guide who tells tales about the age of Valentino; or try a kinetoscope and remind your anxious, overstimulated brain that before Avengers there was “Boxing Cats.” It’s well worth the visit 🙂

Until next time,

-Mari