Preparations are underway as the Monrovia Historic Preservation Group prepares to host its 36th annual tour of local homes. The tour will be held on Sunday, May 6, 2018, from 10 am to 4 pm. This year's offerings include six homes and the two local museums. The homes represent a variety of the vintage character homes that lace the neighborhoods in Monrovia, including Queen Anne Victorian, Spanish Colonial Revival, Craftsman, Tudor, and Minimal Traditional.
Advance tickets can be ordered through the Online Store or at the following locations in town:
Dollmakers' Kattywompus, 412 S. Myrtle Ave., Monrovia
Monrovia Chamber of Commerce, 620 S. Myrtle Ave., Monrovia
Advance Ticket Prices
Adults  $20
Seniors (65+)  $15
Teens  $10
12 and under are free
(Please note: Online advance ticket sales end Friday, May 4, at 10 pm. Tickets at Dollmakers' Kattywompus can be purchased until midday on May 5. On the day of the tour, tickets will only be sold at the Monrovia Historical Museum, 742 E. Lemon Ave, starting at 9:30 am)
Below are pictures of the homes and museums that will be open for viewing on the tour.

                                                                                                           Photography by Larry Marotta

MOHPG is proud to present the 36th edition of the Historic Homes Tour on Sunday, May 6, 2018, from 10 am to 4 pm. Complete information including pictures of the homes and ticket information will be available on this website in early March.

On Friday, January 19, 2018, the Anderson House Museum will be open to the public from 10 am - 11:30 am for a special tour of the inside of this 1886 Queen Anne Victorian.  The tour will be led by City Historian Steve Baker and is free of charge.  If you plan on attending, be sure to arrive on time so as not to miss any of the history of this home.

The MOHPG Board of Directors decided on November 5 that it would make the organization's newsletter a public document.  Beginning with the January issue, you will be able to follow items of Monrovia interest in the field of preservation.
Also, beginning with the January newsletter we will be accepting business card sized ads for the newsletter (no more than 8) at a cost of $100 for 11 issues (no newsletter in August).  If you are interested, use the Contact Us feature at the left, and we will provide the full details.

Do you know why Monrovia was the 4th city to become incorporated in LA County?  Only one public vote in Monrovia's history was unanimous - what was it over? 
Learn the answers to these questions and lots more during a two hour walk through downtown Monrovia with MOHPG.  The cost is only $5 per person.  Meet at the southeast corner of Palm and Myrtle Avenues on Saturday, November 4, at 10 am.

The City of Monrovia invites you to an informational meeting to view the initial report of a historical context statement for Monrovia.  What is a context statement?
"A robust historic context is the foundation for identifying, evaluating, and handling historic properties and will help us make land use decisions."
Day and Date:  Thursday, August 24, 2017
Time:  5:30 - 7:30 pm
Place:  Community Room, Monrovia Public Library
This statement is the next logical step in our decades long effort to protect and preserve our architectural heritage.

To see the full text of the city's invitation, view the document below.

The Monrovia Historic Preservation Group, in partnership with the Monrovia Fire Department, will be sponsoring a workshop on earthquake preparedness for residents of Monrovia.
WHEN:  Saturday, September 9, 2017
TIME:  11:00 am to 2 pm
PLACE:  Community Room, Monrovia Public Library, 321 S. Myrtle Ave.​

      The guest speaker will be Margaret Vinci who is currently the manager of the Office of Earthquake Programs at the California Institute of Technology.  Her presentation will include:​

• ​Sharing the latest understanding of our earthquake hazards and potential losses.
•  Providing resources and information for home, work, and business.
• Empowering listeners to be ready for the next large earthquake.

If you would like to attend, you must RSVP.  Seating is limited.
As if Thursday, August 31, all the spaces at the workshop have been reserved, and it is no longer possible to take additional reservations.

The signs marking the boundary of the newest historic district in Monrovia, the North Encinitas Historic District, were unveiled at the dedication ceremony held on Thursday, July 27, 2017, at the corner of Encinitas and Greystone Avenues.  A large crowd was on hand to celebrate this latest preservation achievement, an effort that was entirely driven by the residents of the 100 and 200 blocks of North Encinitas.

Monrovia's second historic district, the North Encinitas Historic District, will be officially dedicated on Thursday, July 27, 2017, at 5 pm.  And YOU are invited!!

​To see a video produced by North Encinitas resident Dennis Sanchez showing the houses on the street (it has been posted on YouTube), click here.

Balloons lining the street from Foothill to Encinitas (two blocks), short house histories posted outside homes NOT on the tour, a barbershop quartet harmonizing with melodies reminiscent of another time, vintage cars out in force - the 35th annual MOHPG Historic Homes Tour provided something for everything on Sunday, May 7.

Even a little rain in the afternoon (first time in 35 years!) failed to dampen spirits as visitors marveled at the homes within Monrovia's newest historic district, just over one month old.  Crowds were a bit smaller, caused no doubt by the rain threat.
If you missed out this time, set your calendar now for the next home tour, coming May 6, 2018.