Groundbreaking Ceremony for the Children’s Wildlife Pond

Front row:  left to right — President of the Friends of Robinson Gardens Patti Reinstein, Founder Joan Selwyn Back row:  left to right — Members Clare Wagner, VP Betty Goldstein, Robin Blake, Elaine Stein, Superintendent Tim Lindsay, former Presidents Maralee Beck, Kerstin Royce, Ellisa Bregman, Julia Klein, and member Keeley Smith

On Tuesday, September 24, 2019, a celebration took place in the King Palm Forest of the Virginia Robinson Estate. A gold shovel, held by Patti Reinstein, the President of the Friends of Robinson Gardens and Joan Selwyn, its Founder, scooped up soil signifying the start of the construction of … Read More

Message from Superintendent Timothy Lindsay

This fall we started to build a “Children’s Wildlife Pond.” It is the first new design element in the garden since Virginia’s passing. This body of water will be a rich ecosystem perfect for teaching science lessons. Children will be able to get acquainted with tadpoles, frogs, and turtles, along with visiting exotic migratory birds.  Water lilies and cattails will also be grown to study plant and flower anatomy.

Trained docents will teach students using the aquatic plants growing in the pond. The important history of paper made from the papyrus plant will be included in their lesson. Invented … Read More

In Memory of Nancy Thompson Call, Niece of Virginia Robinson

On Saturday, August 17, 2019, at Virginia Robinson Gardens, a memorial was held for Virginia Robinson’s niece, Nancy Thompson. Nancy, a native of Beverly Hills, grew up close to Virginia, up on Benedict Canyon on another 13-acre parcel of land. Most special to Nancy were her horses. On occasion, she was known to ride one of her horses to see her Aunt Gigi.

Virginia and Nancy were both descendants of Leslie Brand of Brand Library in Glendale where Nancy will rest. The same architect designed Brand Library as well as Virginia Robinson’s house. He was Virginia’s father, Nathaniel Dryden.

Nancy … Read More

Spotlight on Dorothy Kamins

 

Each month we spotlight a volunteer, staff member, donor or sponsor of Virginia Robinson Gardens (VRG) — those that have made an impact on the organization. We want to let you know a little bit 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 Dorothy Kamins, our distinguished Patron and Angel member. The Friends are so grateful for her tremendous support for Robinson Gardens.

Mrs. Kamins on numerous occasions has generously opened her beautiful garden for guests … Read More

Beverly Hills Courier: 2019 Patron Gala

 

2019 PATRON GALA – RICK’S CAFÉ AMÉRICAIN

By Laura Coleman, September 19, 2019

 

The warm summer nights provided the perfect accompaniment to two extraordinary galas held this month at Beverly Hills’ first estate, the historic Virginia Robinson Gardens. Built in 1911, the onetime residence of Virginia and Harry Robinson contains a breathtaking array of gorgeous flora stretching across six acres that once provided the backdrop for elegant soirees where Hollywood stars like Fred Astaire, Sophia Loren and Charlie Chaplin sipped champagne well into the wee hours of dawn. This past Saturday the Friends of Robinson Gardens, which are … Read More

Message from President Patti Reinstein

Dear Friends,

I have decided that Summer should be given a speeding ticket! It whisked by us in the blink of an eye. But as we know, lurking behind every summer is a fall just waiting to happen… and with the fall comes a new season for the Friends of Robinson Gardens. I welcome you back and hope that that you are refreshed and recharged and ready to renew your commitment to this incredible estate. In partnership with the County of Los Angeles Department of Parks and Recreation, the Friends has been given the responsibility for the restoration, renovation, and … Read More

Mark Lehner and the Lost City of the Pyramid Builders

Charming and brilliant, renowned archaeologist Mark Lehner gave a fascinating lecture entitled “Finding the People of the Pyramids” on Wednesday, August 18, 2019 at the Virginia Robinson Gardens. Board member Janice Jerde, a close personal and professional friend of Mark for 30 years, introduced him, saying, “Mark’s work in Egypt spans 40 years, and he has sustained his passion, excitement, and enthusiasm from the very beginning.” Mark is the Director and President of Ancient Egypt Research Associates, (AERA), an American nonprofit organization.

In 1984, Mark began the Giza plateau mapping project to understand how the pyramid builders organized and changed … Read More

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