About MOHPG

The Monrovia Historic Preservation Group is one of the largest non-profit organizations in Monrovia with an active membership of nearly 200 households. Members work to make a tangible difference in the appearance and livability of our community. 

If you’re not yet a member, we hope that you will consider joining us on our mission. You can visit our Online Store to purchase a membership and become an active participant in helping us continue to restore, preserve and maintain the character of the wonderful city of Monrovia.

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Benefits of Membership

MOHPG Mission Statement:  The Monrovia Historic Preservation Group is entrusted with Monrovia’s heritage through preservation, education, and community involvement.

When you become a member, you will receive a regular newsletter with current information about the group and its activities, and you can attend monthly meetings which cover a wide-ranging list of topics and interests.  Recent meetings have included a visit to Tired Iron Works in Monrovia (a high-end car restoration business); a meeting at the Monrovia Library to hear Sierra Madre resident Joe Feeney speak on California's "Second" Gold Rush; a beer-tasting at Pacific Plate Brewery, a Monrovia craft brewery; and a tour of the Southwest Museum in Highland Park.  Meetings are also held in members' homes with a speaker presenting a topic relevant to the interests of the membership (Within the past year they have included a history of beads and a view of several vintage music boxes; a visit to a Monrovia Mid-Century Modern home; a presentation on Batchelder tile reproductions by Cha-Rie Tang, designer of the Monrovia Gold Line platform; and a talk by Rachel Wing on wildfire safety for Monrovia's historic homes).  Occasionally, meetings are open to the public if the topic is appropriate.

Members have access to the Resource Directory, a listing of businesses and craftsmen whose skills are in demand for homeowners restoring their vintage homes. The only way to be included in the directory is by referral from an MOHPG member.

Become a member now and support preservation efforts in Monrovia!

2014 Mother's Day Home Tour

Excitement is building as plans for the MOHPG 32nd annual home tour develop.  Drive your car to the various locations or use the trolleys (free).  Docents will be present to provide additional information about the house and its history.The tour will be held on Mother's Day, Sunday, May 11, 2014, from 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m.  The following homes/buildings will be open for viewing:

Tickets are on sale now on this website (click on Online Store).  Beginning April 1, tickets may be purchased at the following locations: 

Dollmakers
412 S./ Myrtle Ave.
Monrovia

Monrovia Chamber of Commerce
620 S. Myrtle Ave.
Monrovia

Curves
1159 E. Huntington Dr.
Duarte

Pre-tour prices:  Adults $20;  Seniors(65+) $15; Teens (13-19) $10; 12 and under free.

Tickets will also be sold at the MOHPG booth (corner Myrtle Ave and Colorado Blvd. in downtown Monrovia) on Friday evenings from 5-9 p.m. from April 4 to May 9.

On Sunday, May 11, tickets will be sold at only one location, starting at 9:30 a.m. - Monrovia Historical Museum, 742 E. Lemon Ave.  This will also be the location of Will Call tickets.
Day of Tour prices:  Adults $25;  Seniors(65+) $20; Teens (13-19) $15; 12 and under free.

Add One More to the Landmark List

For the second time in five months, a vintage home has been added to the list of landmarked properties in Monrovia.  At the November 19,2013, meeting, the Monrovia City Council voted to approve the 1926 Spanish Colonial Revival, located at 505 N. Alta Vista Ave, as Historic Landmark #129. The owners were also granted a Mills Act Contract.

Besides embodying  characteristics of Baroque, Moorish Revvival and Mexican Churrigueresque architecture, the residence was home to John McBratney, owner of McBratney's "Irish Linen Store," a business on Myrtle Avenue for 60 years. 

Carriage Barn Reconstruction

Follow the progress as Monrovia's oldest carriage barn is reassembled at its new location

To recap:  The carriage barn originally located behind the 1889 Queen Anne Victorian on Greystone Avenue was dismantled in April, 2013.  The cost of the dismantling and removal to its new location was born by the 29 donors who contributed to the project.  The cost of the reconstruction will be born by the family on whose property the barn will be re-erected.  Work on this effort is being overseen by MOHPG member Jimi Hendrix.

10/7/13

The majority of the steel framework and footings are complete.

3/6/14

Work leading to the installation of the sides of the barn began today.  Angle iron will be attached to the panels that will support the sides of the barn, eliminating the need to sheath the sides in plywood to provide stability.

Above:  Once the angle iron is attached to the sides, they will be lifted by
the crane and attached to the framework.

Above:  Work on the cupola is nearing completion.  Copper panels were
fabricated for the roof and patina applied.

Make That Two More

Two vintage homes soon to be demolished

     The good news for homeowners is that with the economy starting to rebound, housing prices are on the rise for the first time since 2008.  The bad news for the community is that some of our vintage homes are being sold, and that increases the potential for them to be torn down, to be replaced with structures that may or may not blend into the neighborhood.
     Pictured below are two homes recently slated to be torn down.

The house on the left was torn down the first week of December, 2013.

     The home on the left was built in 1924 and is a 1012 square foot, single story modest home.  The home on the right was originally a Victorian home built in 1888.  The columns were added later.  In both cases it was determined that neither house was "worthy" enough to be saved.  Unfortunately, the current preservation ordinances in Monrovia do little to protect homes not already landmarked or those on the list of potential landmarks (to view homes on both lists, see the sidebar at the left).