The Banning Museum’s new exhibit examines the legendary vision of Phineas Banning
“All aboard!”
It can’t be soon enough for some people.
There’s a small band of professional and volunteer supporters of the Banning Museum in Wilmington that has been waiting for at least five years to hear those go-ahead words.
And come noon on Aug. 20, the creative engine that’s been under construction in the former basement ballroom for a long time will make its entrance. “Improbable Gateway, the Los Angeles Transportation Legacy” will debut as a hi-tech interactive and visual tribute to the transformation of the city in the mid-1870s.
Everyone involved will be on board, and the entire community is invited to visit what officials call the “much-anticipated new permanent exhibition, which is the story of transportation that has made Los Angeles what it is today.”
Probably no one is more excited about the upcoming event than Mrs. Nancy Banning Call, whose great-grandfather, Phinneas Banning, was responsible for the development of Los Angeles Harbor and for the expansion of several Southern California transportation systems in the mid-1870s.
“He represented that wonderful American spirit of entrepreneurship,” she said during the recent interview from her Pasadena home. “He gave Los Angeles access to the sea.”
Mrs. Call, already a civic leader, said she started the Friends of Banning Museum 28 years ago when City of Los Angeles officials sought her help. “They were interested in a fuller development of the Museum, and wondered whether I was interested in working with them. Of course I said yes.” (The Museum is part of Los Angeles Recreation and Parks Department.)
“As first president of the Friends, I turned to the Junior League of Los Angeles, whose members were very helpful during the first three years,” she went on. Other volunteers and support groups throughout the years brought their energy to the group, whose membership now stands at 285.
“Many institutions as well have been helpful during those years,” she added. As an example, she cited a historically correct model of a genuine Wells Fargo stagecoach on long-term loan from the Natural History Museum in Los Angeles.
During another recent interview in the not-quite-ready-for-business gift shop adjacent to the exhibit space, Michael Sanborn, who’s been director of the Banning Museum for the past 15 years, provided background on the impending new exhibition.
About five years ago, Banning officials approached the City of Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks to finance improvements on museum exhibits that were “starting to show their age,” he said, but the only help “we received came in the form of demolition of undesirable structures.” For example, Sanborn said, the brick used for the front steps of the house in a prior renovation were demolished by the city and replaced with mahogany steps. “Mahogany had been the original material,” he explained. “We had wanted everything to be as authentic as possible.”
The funds had to come from elsewhere, which is when Friends of the Banning Museum, the museum’s non-profit volunteer support group, took charge. It held fund-raisers under the leadership of then-president Lisa Hansen. In addition, a professional fundraiser and the efforts of Mrs. Call supplemented the drive for funds, according to Cherokee Welch, associate director of development, Friends of Banning Museum.
Ed Beall, who replaced Mrs. Hansen as president two years ago and who has agreed to another term as Friends leader during this final stage of the renovation, has continued to guide the project and generate funds.
“Phinneas Banning and his contemporaries had a vision to end Los Angeles’ geographic isolation and turn her into a center of commerce and influence,” he pointed out. “It wasn’t fast. It wasn’t easy, but the results were well worth the effort. We feel the same way about the exhibition,” he went on, “and hope our visitors will too.”
Audrey Dahlgren, a long-time third-grade Peninsula schoolteacher, said she heard about the Banning back in the 1970s. “I took my class there when only the bathroom was complete and the rest of the house was empty,” she said, adding that she went on to become “involved with every part of it” as a docent for 26 years. She was also a member of the Banning Board of Directors for several years.
“I even interested my son, Jeff, in the Banning, and he is now on the board of the Friends,” she said. “I’m glad there’s more interest now to keep it in the public view. When you think about it, it’s the only structure in the area that has a lot of history.”
As a consequence of these varied and sustained efforts, the Friends have underwritten the $2.4 million price tag for “Improbable Journey,” Sanborn said.
Also included in the renovation are the new gift shop and a remodeled freestanding visitor center on the grounds.
So eager to introduce its new look to the community that several activities are being planned for Aug. 20, according to those in charge: a free hot dog barbeque lunch served by United Firefighters of Los Angeles City, Local 112; children’s craft projects; Victorian musical entertainment; an interactive miniature train display; a children’s art show; an exhibit of Los Angeles’ historic Red Cars, and a lecture on the garden’s historic roses.
All these festivities will take place on the grounds of the Banning Museum, 401 East M Street, Wilmington. Hours are from noon to 4 p.m. Beall said he expects as many as 2,000 visitors.
And, for those who might be even more curious about this classic Greek Revival home, the Banning Museum is a City, State and National Historic Landmark.
