Monrovia Historic Preservation Group

Monrovia, California - Incorporated 1887

It all began back in 1980. Bruce and Lyn Carter, living in a 1917 Craftsman bungalow, were out walking one evening and happened to meet Charles and Janet Manning who were living in an 1888 Victorian. That chance meeting revealed that the two couples were struggling with the same problems in attempting to restore their vintage homes. Were there other homeowners with similar interests facing those same obstacles? To find out, a meeting date and location were soon agreed upon. Flyers were put out on porches, and on February 10, 1980, approximately 40 people met to discuss whether to form a "preservation/restoration" group.

The Monrovia Old House Preservation Group (formed as an "independent committee of the Monrovia Historical Society") was the result. Bruce Carter and Charles Manning shard duties as the first "co-chairmen" of MOHPG. Four objectives were originally listed as concerns for the group:
   1. Meetings were held to discuss restoration / remodeling of old houses.
   2. The group would provide sources for needed services.
   3. Researching historical information on members' old houses was encouraged.
   4. The group planned to provide a library of information and hold social events   such as tours.

To raise money for mailings and meeting refreshments, the group held a yard sale on November 1, 1980. In those early years, numerous newspaper articles in the Monrovia News Post, the San Gabriel Valley Tribune, and the Los Angeles Times chronicled the groups' efforts to preserve, restore and display their historic dwellings.

The first home tour by MOHPG was held March 7, 1982, and included five homes and the Anderson House museum (plus five "drive by" houses). The tour was only for the Santa Anita Model A Club and the Foothill Division of the Vintage Chevrolet club; it had between 75-80 people in attendance and netted the group $118. The next year the tour was held on May 22, 1983, in conjunction with the Monrovia Days activities. It was co-sponsored by the L.A. Conservancy, and the proceeds ($1,888.27) were shared by MOHPG and the Conservancy. The first Mother's Day tour was held in 1986.

In 1986 MOHPG began its highly popular grant program which continues to this day. Proceeds from the Mother's Day Tour are used to fund projects ranging from porch work to replacement of floors to updating plumbing and electrical systems. In its inception, projects were judged on their "worth" by a panel of judges not affiliated with MOHPG. Then in 1999 a lottery system was implemented so that every applicant had an equal chance of winning. In addition, the program was opened to the entire community (not just MOHPG members) and could include any structure in Monrovia build prior to 1930. Winners of the drawing have 9 months to complete their project. Structured as a matching grant, winners must spend at least $750 to be entitled to the full $750 offered by MOHPG.

MOHPG is also highly visible in various community activities, including Make-A-Difference Day, sponsoring a session for the summer music series in Library Park, and providing entries in the Monrovia Days and Holiday parades. In 2004, the group completed production of a self-guided Motor Home Tour (available for purchase at our on-line store) - allowing people to drive around town and see some of the more significant structures while learning about them on an audio CD or cassette playing in their car. In February 2006 the group sponsored a workshop on the Mills Act and Home Landmarking - attended by over 50 people in the community.

After updating its mission statement a few years ago, the group changed its name to the MONROVIA HISTORICAL PRESERVATION GROUP (keeping the MOHPG acronym), to recognize the organization's interest in dealing with all areas of preservation in the community. In 2003, MOHPG became the stewards of the Boxx Jewlers clock on Myrtle Avenue in the downtown shopping district. MOHPG is responsible for maintaining the clock in working order and making sure the time is correct.

A further foray into preservation beyond buildings has been the pending actions to have the mural in the Monrovia Post Office basement conserved and placed on public display in the community. The mural was painted by prominent California artist Helen Katherine Forbes in 1940 under the auspices of the Federal Arts Project. The scene depicts four bear cubs - painted on a canvas three feet high by over sixteen feet long (a second an much smaller mural of the mother bear is known to have existed - but its whereabouts is as yet unknown).

The mural has resided in the basement of the Monrovia Post Office since 1958 when the interior of the building was remodeled. In May, 2004, MOHPG hired a conservator to examine the mural and make recommendations for repair / conservation. While significant steps in this restoration effort still remain, MOHPG is hopeful that the mural can regain a place of honor in the town.

Today, MOHPG remains one of the largest non-profit organizations in Monrovia with an active membership of nearly 300 households. Members continue to 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 this mission. You can visit our on-line store to purchase a membership to help us continue restoring, preserving and maintaining our wonderful city.

Thank you in advance for your generous support.