Hollywood Heritage Museum

Hollywood Heritage Museum. Housed within the historic Lasky-DeMille Barn, the museum is dedicated to preserving and presenting the early history of the American film industry in Hollywood, Los Angeles. Operated by the non-profit Hollywood Heritage, Inc., it stands on the original site of the Jesse L. Lasky Feature Play Company, where the first feature-length Hollywood film, *The Squaw Man*, was produced in 1913. The institution serves as a vital cultural landmark, focusing on the pioneering era of silent film and the foundational figures of American cinema.

● History

The museum's history is intrinsically linked to the barn structure itself, which was originally a horse stable and later a livery building at the corner of Selma Avenue and Vine Street. In 1913, it was leased by filmmaker Cecil B. DeMille and producer Jesse L. Lasky, along with his brother-in-law Samuel Goldwyn, as the first studio for their fledgling company. This site witnessed the production of *The Squaw Man*, directed by DeMille and Oscar Apfel, marking a pivotal moment in the westward migration of the film industry from New York City and Fort Lee, New Jersey. After the studio moved to larger facilities, the barn was used for various purposes, including storage for Paramount Pictures, and faced demolition in the late 1970s. A preservation campaign led by Hollywood Heritage, Inc., founded by Mickey Rooney and others, successfully relocated the barn to its current site at Hollywood Bowl in 1983. It was restored and opened as a museum in 1985, with ongoing stewardship by the organization.

● Collections

The permanent collection is centered on artifacts, memorabilia, and technology from the silent film era and early Hollywood. Key holdings include original cameras and projection equipment from the 1910s and 1920s, such as models from Bell & Howell and Mitchell Camera Corporation. The museum possesses a significant archive of photographs, documents, and personal effects related to Cecil B. DeMille, Jesse L. Lasky, and Samuel Goldwyn, as well as costumes and props from early productions. A notable piece is the original desk used by DeMille during the making of *The Squaw Man*. The collection also features vintage posters, sheet music for film scores, and technical apparatus like early motion picture projectors and editing devices, illustrating the technological evolution of filmmaking.

● Exhibitions

Exhibitions are primarily displayed within the restored barn, utilizing its authentic space to create immersive historical environments. The main exhibit chronicles the barn's own story and the making of *The Squaw Man*, featuring set recreations, script pages, and behind-the-scenes photography. Rotating and temporary exhibits often focus on specific themes, such as the work of early Hollywood studios like Paramount Pictures and Universal Pictures, or the contributions of pioneering figures such as Mary Pickford, Douglas Fairbanks, and D. W. Griffith. The museum also hosts screenings of classic films and lectures, frequently in partnership with institutions like the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and the University of Southern California.

● Architecture

The building is a classic example of early 20th-century California vernacular architecture, specifically a simple, utilitarian barn design. Constructed primarily of wood with a gabled roof, its architecture reflects its original purpose as an agricultural building repurposed for industrial use. The interior was adapted for film production, with spaces converted into a dressing room, a lab, and an office for Cecil B. DeMille. The restoration in the 1980s, guided by the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation, carefully preserved these historic fabric and spatial configurations. Its current location within the Hollywood Bowl area places it near other historic sites like the Hollywood Walk of Fame and the Hollywood Sign.

● Conservation Efforts

The institution is a proactive force in the broader preservation of Hollywood's cinematic heritage. Its operations are fundamentally a conservation effort, maintaining the physical integrity of the Lasky-DeMille Barn as a Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument and a contributing property to the Hollywood Boulevard Commercial and Entertainment District. Advocacy by Hollywood Heritage, Inc. extends beyond the museum, involving campaigns to protect other endangered historic sites, such as the Egyptian Theatre and the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel. The museum educates the public on preservation issues through its programs and collaborates with entities like the National Trust for Historic Preservation and the City of Los Angeles to promote the protection of cultural resources associated with the film industry.

Category:Museums in Los Angeles Category:Film museums in the United States Category:History museums in California Category:Hollywood, Los Angeles Category:1985 establishments in California