Tim Lindsay and the History of the Virginia Robinson Gardens
On January 16, 2020, our amazing Superintendent Timothy Lindsay gave a presentation on the rich history of Virginia Robinson Gardens. Before the talk, the guests mingled with each other while enjoying scrumptious tea sandwiches and desserts in the Pool Pavilion. Betty Goldstein, Chair of the Membership Committee who organized this special event, pointed out that the miniature chocolate muffins are from one of the recipes Virginia used for entertaining. The recipe came from the Ideal Cookery Book by M.A. Fairclough, published in 1911. (Betty added that the muffins need a little more flavor. Elaine Stein, who is also on the Membership Committee, made these muffins and recommended the addition of a little more sugar, salt, and vanilla to enhance the taste. The recipe was given to all those present). Our wonderful President of the Friends Patti Reinstein then introduced Tim, saying, “Tim has been here for 22 years and has…
Spotlight on Wendy Wintrob
Each month we spotlight a volunteer, staff member, docent, donor, or sponsor of Virginia Robinson Gardens (VRG) — those that have made an impact on the organization. We want to let you know about these wonderful people and corporations that give so much to the Virginia Robinson Gardens and to the community, and what they do that is so impactful. This month, we spotlight Wendy Wintrob, a dedicated Friend of Robinson Gardens Board Member. Wendy along with Janice Jerde is in charge of Premier Events for the Fellows, helping Fellows Chair Jeanne Anderson. Wendy has organized terrific outings to museums where superb curator-led tours and luncheon tables creatively decorated to the theme of the exhibition enchant all who attend. We asked her these three questions: 1. How did you first learn about VRG, and what inspired you to become a Friend? Many years ago, my friend Margy Hudson was a…
Dr. Toni Bowers on Charlie Chaplin in Beverly Hills
Dr. Toni Bowers gave a wonderfully enlightening talk on Charlie Chaplin, focusing on his years in Beverly Hills, that fascinated and delighted the attendees at the Virginia Robinson Gardens on January 14, 2020. Education co-chair Cindy Fields introduced Dr. Bowers. A Professor of English literature at the University of Pennsylvania, she studied at the University of Southern California and Houghton College and received her doctorate from Stanford University. She publishes on and teaches about 17th and 18th century British writings by and about women. Dr. Bowers related that when Charlie Chaplin came to live in Beverly Hills in 1922 at the age of 33, his home on Summit Drive was very close to that of Virginia and Harry Robinson. He enjoyed being their neighbor, and played a lot of tennis with Virginia even as late as 1972 when they were both over 80. According to Chaplin’s son, Charles Chaplin, Jr.,…
‘Shirin Neshat: I Will Greet the Sun Again’
We kicked off the new decade with a Robinson Gardens Fellows special program at The Broad museum. It was a great beginning. On January 8, we took a guided tour of the special exhibition: ‘Shirin Neshat: I Will Greet the Sun Again.’ We learned about the background and remarkable work of Shirin Neshat. Unlike many other contemporary artists on display at The Broad and elsewhere, many of us didn’t know much about Neshat. Her work focuses on what it’s like to be an Iranian woman, and she expresses her views with her amazing photographs and videos. Neshat was born in Qazvin, Iran, a small city two hours from Tehran in 1957. She made her way to New York and has focused her efforts on visual art. She is known primarily for her work in videos and photography. Many of her pieces explore the relationship between women and the religious and…
Virginia and Harry Robinson’s Birdcage Automaton
A unique toy in Virginia and Harry Robinson’s home is a gilt-metal 19th century birdcage which contains four taxidermied iridescent hummingbirds who sit on branches and move their heads while they sing. Virginia and Harry must have thought that the automaton was sufficiently entertaining as it still occupies a place of honor in their home. This toy for the well-appointed home reflects the Robinsons’ elevated social placement in Los Angeles’ cultural hierarchy. Harry and Virginia’s pedigrees show that both came from important families who moved to Los Angeles and left their mark on their nascent community. The automaton reflects Virginia and Harry’s desire for novel experiences in the same way their decision to build their dream home in 1911 on a remote barren piece of land was extremely adventurous. It was five years before this area became the City of Beverly Hills, recognized today as the “Garden Capital of the…
Harper’s Bazaar: The Luxury Guide to Beverly Hills
Take a breather by visiting one of LA’s hidden gems – the beautiful Virginia Robinson Gardens. Built in 1911, the Robinson mansion (home to Virginia and Harry Robinson of the Robinson department stores) was one of the first ever luxury homes in Beverly Hills, playing host to legendary parties regularly frequented by the Hollywood elite – from Charlie Chaplin and Elvis Presley to Fred Astaire and Sophia Loren. Today, the unique estate hosts private events, weddings, photoshoots and tours of the spectacular grounds; featuring a breathtaking array of flora and fauna. Following the passing of Virginia Robinson, the estate was left to the County of Los Angeles and is now part of the Department of Parks and Recreation. The County, along with the non-profit organisation Friends of Robinson Gardens, works to maintain the estate in the elegant manner in-keeping with the living traditions of the early twentieth century. Read the…
The New York Times: Fives Places to Visit in Beverly Hills
FIVE PLACES TO VISIT IN BEVERLY HILLS By Alex Schechter, January 4, 2019 Beverly Hills is an expensive place with a village-like charm, but it pays to know where to go. Cash Black, a bartender at one of its hot spots, shares his favorites. Beverly Hills is more approachable than you might expect for a ZIP code typically associated with Lamborghinis and reality stars. It has a surprising number of sidewalk cafes and swaths of greenery. That village-like charm, coupled with residents’ famously refined palates, is what attracted Cash Black to the area seven years ago. “Jewelry. Cars. Wine. Beverly Hills has the best of the best. You don’t get to be here unless you really know what you’re doing,” said Mr. Black, a Las Vegas native, who began as a valet and worked his way up to head bartender at £10, a high-end Scotch bar tucked in the back…