As 2024 comes to a close and we prepare to welcome 2025, I am so grateful for the many of you who have supported The Virginia Robinson Gardens and the work of the Friends of Robinson Gardens. Simply stated, our mission is to preserve this historic estate and share its rich history with the public. This translates into education events, school trips, and our many docent-led tours. Our fundraising efforts returned to full speed this year with our first post-COVID Gala this past September. Paired with our other major fundraiser, the Annual Garden Tour held in May, and the generous support from many of you, we can commence with renovations to the estate that have been on hiatus since before COVID.

By the end of 2025, we will have replaced the upholstery in the dining room, library, and possibly Virginia's bedroom, much of which has shredded with age. We also hope to refinish or replace the terrazzo on the front porch in 2025 if our funds can support it, as well as many maintenance projects in the gardens and around the house. Anyone who owns a house knows it is a continuous project to maintain it, and a home built in 1911 demands a great deal. Just writing this makes me tired but filled with great anticipation for the coming year.

We invite you to visit the Gardens for our many classes and events. It's inspiring to be surrounded by the vastness of nature, and we love sharing the Old Grand Dame with all who come. We are especially grateful for all of you who support the Friends' efforts to keep Virginia's house and gardens alive. Without your support, we would not be here.

A toast to all for a great New Year in 2025. Hopefully, we will have the chance to see you here.

Gratefully,
Lynn Whitaker
President, The Friends of Robinson Gardens

Looking for Docent Volunteers!

Love history? The Virginia Robinson Gardens is looking for volunteers to join our Docent team. NO prior experience is necessary, just your passion and commitment to sharing the history of the First Estate of Beverly Hills.

  • Volunteers are required to attend a 2-hour training session
  • Be prepared to guide groups of up to 15 guests throughout the house and garden for a 90-minute tour
  • Docents must commit to giving one tour a month
  • Scripts will be provided to help inform our volunteers

    • If you are interested, please contact April Walton at [email protected] or (310) 550-2040.

    Look forward to hearing from you!

    Mission Statement

    The purpose of the Virginia Robinson Gardens is to preserve and promote this historically significant first estate of
    Beverly Hills for the education and enjoyment of the general public.
    To help continue the mission of the Friends, please visit our Donate page.