LACHS Annual Gala
Los Angeles is a treasure trove of historic sites. For its annual awards ceremony LACHS endeavors to select venues which are centrally located within miles of the city’s center and City Hall. These have included Doheny Library at USC, First Congregational Church of Los Angeles and the Police Academy.
2020 - The Dunbar Hotel
Photo: Security Pacific National Bank Collection /
Los Angeles Public Library
On March 8, 2020, the 2019 LACHS Awards were presented at a sold out Gala Jazz Brunch and Awards Ceremony held at the Dunbar Hotel. The following awards were presented:
David G. Cameron Preservation Award:
Susan Orlean for The Library Book, her history of the restoration of Los Angeles Public Library after the 1986 fire.
J. Thomas Owen History Award:
Los Angeles Police Museum for the Los Angeles Police Department 150th Anniversary book.
Miriam Matthews Ethnic History Award:
Dr. Alison Rose Jefferson for her book Living the California Dream: African American Leisure Sites during the Jim Crow Era.
A special award was also presented to former LACHS board member Alma Carlisle.
2019 - Wilson Harding Club House
Photo: Los Angeles Herald Examiner Photo Collection / Los Angeles Public Library
On March 10, 2019, the 2018 LACHS Awards were presented at our Gala Brunch and Awards Ceremony held at the Wilson Harding Club House in Griffith Park. The following awards were presented:
David G. Cameron Preservation Award:
Center for the Study of Political Graphics
J. Thomas Owen History Award:
Thomas Pinney, PhD
Miriam Matthews Ethnic History Award:
Marne L. Campbell, PhD
Honorary Life Member Award:
Alan Hess
Archives Education and Advocacy Award:
Xaviera Flores Schmied
Los Angeles Community Empowerment Award:
Self Help Graphics & Art
2016 - Huffington Center at THE Saint Sophia Cathedral
Photo: Michael Locke
Awards were presented and dinner served in the Huffington Center of Saint Sophia Greek Orthodox Cathedral on November 15 & the evening included a tour of the ornate sanctuary.
2015 - Bullocks Wilshire (Southwestern Law SchooL)
Photo: Michael Locke
Brunch was served in the Louis XVI Room of the former Bullocks Wilshire Department Store, today’s Southwestern School of Law, on November 15.
2014 - Yamashiro Hollywood
Photo: Michael Locke
Hollywood’s hillside Yamashiro Restaurant was the setting December 3 when outgoing City Councilmember Tom LaBonge was honored.
2013 - Wilshire Boulevard Temple
Photo: Michael Locke
Wilshire Boulevard Temple’s multimillion dollar renovation brought the Society to its sanctuary and banquet rooms on December 10.
2012 - Los Angeles Fire Department Museum
Photo: Michael Locke
On December 11, six awards were presented at a dinner at the Los Angeles Fire Department Historical Society’s Hollywood Museum.
2011 - Doheny Memorial Library (AT USC)
Photo: Michael Locke
The December 13 evening was held at USC’s Edward L. Doheny Jr. Library & drew a sellout crowd.
2010 - Pilgrim School
On December 14, cocktails in the new Fine Arts Center at Pilgrim School and dinner in the Barnum Room of First Congregational Church of Los Angeles, both at 6th Street and Commonwealth Avenue.
2009 - Los Angeles Police MUSEUM
Los Angeles Times writer Bill Boyarsky spoke on his book “Inventing L.A.” at the Police Academy on December 8.