Friends Of Robinson Gardens Inc

TO PRESERVE AND PROMOTE THE HISTORICALLY SIGNIFICANT FIRST ESTATE OF BEVERLY HILLS FOR THE EDUCATION AND ENJOYMENT OF THE GENERAL PUBLIC.

RESTORATION - THE ORGANIZATION RAISES MONEY FOR THE RESTORATION AND MAINTENANCE OF THE VIRGINIA ROBINSON GARDENS ESTATE. DURING THE FISCAL YEAR THAT ENDED JUNE 30, 2023, THE ORGANIZATION INSTALLED A NEW DRIP IRRIGATION SYSTEM IN THE ITALIAN TERRACE GARDEN AND LAWN IN FRONT OF THE MAIN HOUSE, REFRESHED THE KITCHEN COURTYARD WITH NEW CITRUS TREES AND POTTED SUCCULENTS, AND BROUGHT IN GARDENING CREWS FOR SEVERAL DAYS TO ASSIST WITH EXTENSIVE WEEDING, NEW PLANTING, AND MULCHING AFTER THE RECORD-BREAKING RAIN IN EARLY 2023. THE ORGANIZATION PAID FOR THE PURCHASE AND INSTALLATION OF SHADES FOR THE BILLIARD ROOM IN THE POOL PAVILION AND THE KITCHEN, THE RESTORATION OF SOME FURNITURE PIECES AND THE MURAL AND TROMPE L'OEILL ON THE WALL OF THE CARD ROOM, AND REPAIRS FOR THE HISTORIC GRANDFATHER CLOCK IN THE ENTRY HALL OF THE MAIN HOUSE. THE ORGANIZATION RESTORED THE PLANTERS AND REPLACED THE POTS ON THE ROOF OF THE POOL PAVILION AND HAD REPAIRS DONE TO THE MARBLE STEPS LEADING TO THE LOGGIA IN THE MAIN HOUSE AND TO THE ORIGINAL BRICK WALLS OF THE WINE CELLAR. ANNUAL MAINTENANCE, SUCH AS TREE TRIMMING AND SERVICING OF WATER FEATURES, AND NUMEROUS SMALL REPAIR PROJECTS CONTINUED TO BE UNDERWRITTEN BY THE ORGANIZATION. ADDITIONALLY, THE ORGANIZATION COMPLETED THE HISTORIC AMERICAN LANDSCAPE SURVEY (HALS). THE ORGANIZATION IS IN THE PROCESS OF APPLYING FOR MUSEUM CERTIFICATION. THE HALS REPORT WILL PROVIDE THE LANDSCAPE DOCUMENTATION NECESSARY FOR THE MUSEUM STATUS APPLICATION.

EDUCATION - AT THE REQUEST OF THE COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES, THE ORGANIZATION PROVIDES THE EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING AVAILABLE AT THE VIRGINIA ROBINSON GARDENS. THE PROGRAMS ARE OFFERED TO THE FRIENDS AND TO THE COMMUNITY AT LARGE. THERE ARE THREE TYPES OF PROGRAMS: BOTANICAL ILLUSTRATION CLASSES, HOW-TO GARDENING CLASSES, AND LECTURES ON TOPICS RANGING FROM LANDSCAPE DESIGN, INTERIOR DESIGN, THE ARTS, JEWELRY, BIOGRAPHIES, AND THE HISTORY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA.

CHILDREN'S OUTREACH PROGRAMS - DURING THE 2022-2023 SCHOOL YEAR, WHICH CORRESPONDS TO THE ORGANIZATION'S FISCAL YEAR, THE ORGANIZATION DELIVERED 3,000 UNITS OF ITS CHILDREN'S SCIENCE PROGRAM TO STUDENTS IN THE THIRD AND FOURTH GRADES, PRIMARILY IN TITLE ONE SCHOOLS AND GROUP HOMES. THE PROGRAM CONSISTS OF THREE MODULES: NUTRITION AND HEALTHY YOU, PLANTS AND OUR WORLD, AND THE ECOSYSTEM OF A POND & DEVELOPMENT OF THE FROG. THIS REDESIGNED PROGRAM HAS BEEN ENTHUSIASTICALLY RECEIVED BY STUDENTS AND TEACHERS WHO LOVE THE INTERACTIVE ACTIVITIES AND BRIGHTLY COLORED GRAPHICS AND VIDEO. FIELD TRIPS BY TITLE ONE SCHOOLS TO ROBINSON GARDENS RESUMED ALTHOUGH THE RAIN CAUSED THE CANCELLATION OF SEVERAL PLANNED TRIPS. THE ORGANIZATION PAYS FOR THE BUSES THAT TRANSPORT TITLE ONE SCHOOL CHILDREN TO ROBINSON GARDENS.

MEMBERSHIP - THE ORGANIZATION IS A DUES-BASED MEMBERSHIP WITH SIX LEVELS OF INCREASINGLY HIGHER DUES REQUIREMENTS AND BENEFITS. THERE ARE SMALL EVENTS FOR ALL MEMBERS. THE HIGHER LEVEL MEMBERS RECEIVE INVITATIONS TO SPECIAL TOURS AND LECTURES; OUT-OF-TOWN TRIPS TO MUSEUMS, HISTORIC ESTATES, AND BOTANICAL GARDENS; AND AN ANNUAL THANK-YOU DINNER.