Categories
Historic Sites

Morrill-Hearst Residence

HISTORIC SITES

Harry R. Morrill Residence (aka George R. Hearst, Sr. Residence) 701 West Panorama Road, Palm Springs, CA 92262

Featured in a glowing nine-page article in the Spring 1963 issue of Architectural Digest, the Morrill-Hearst Residence is a rare “Roman-inspired” villa by architectural designer James H. McNaughton.  An accomplished pioneering set designer for early television, McNaughton knew how to create impressive visual features and how to do so on a budget.  The Roman columns seen throughout the property are discarded Los Angeles city streetlamps that McNaughton purchased from a salvage yard.  The house was built in 1962 for Harry R. (Rufus) and Willa Pearl Morrill and was purchased by George Randolph Hearst, Sr. and his wife Rosalie in March of 1964.  The land was originally owned by famed film star Adolph Menjou who had wanted to build a grand desert home for himself and his wife, actress Veree Teesdale (those plans ultimately fell through).    

In May of 2025, the Palm Springs Preservation Foundation board of directors assigned the task of writing the Class 1 Historic Resource nomination for the Harry R. Morrill-George Randolph Hearst, Sr. Residence to PSPF board advisor Steve Vaught.

Morrill-Hearst1 PSPF BAM
Morrill-Hearst2 PSPF BAM
Categories
Grants and Sponsorships

Arthur Elrod Film Project

Grants & Sponsorships

Arthur Elrod Film Project GRANT

On February 25, 2026, the 90-minute documentary film “Arthur Elrod: Desert Cool” premiered during Modernism Week 2026.

On March 10, 2025, PSPF awarded a $2,500 grant to author Adele Cygelman to support her efforts to develop a documentary film chronicling the life and career of noted Palm Springs interior designer Arthur Elrod.  To read the letter click here. 

On July 3, 2025, in response to a solicitation from author Adele Cygelman, the Palm Springs Preservation Foundation board of directors voted unanimously to support her film efforts chronicling the life and career of noted Palm Springs interior designer Arthur Elrod.  To read the letter click here.

Courtesy Alan Kramer
Courtesy Alan Kramer
Categories
Historic Sites Nominated

Lloyd and “Tootsie” Simon Residence

HISTORIC SITES

Lloyd and “Tootsie” Simon Residence 388 East Valmonte Norte, Palm Springs, CA 92262

Built in 1936 and designed by the architectural firm of Brewster & Benedict, the Lloyd and “Tootsie” Simon Residence marks a critical moment when Palm Springs was transforming from seasonal resort to permanent residential community, and when Spanish Colonial Revival architecture had evolved from ornamental historicism toward restrained, climate-responsive design.  Because the house remained in the Simon family from 1936 through 2021, it is largely unaltered making it an exceptional document of interwar domestic architecture.

REFERENCES

Read the nomination

On February 7, 2026, the Palm Springs Preservation Foundation (acting as agent for the owners) submitted the 113-page Class 1 Historic Resource nomination for the Simon Residence to the city of Palm Springs.

In October of 2025, the Palm Springs Preservation Foundation board of directors assigned the task of writing the Class 1 Historic Resource nomination for the Lloyd and “Tootsie” Simon Residence to PSPF board member Steven Keylon.

The Simon Residence circa 1940. Courtesy Bryan Mayo
The Simon Residence circa 1940. Courtesy Bryan Mayo
Categories
Historic Sites Nominated

William and Margaret Siemon Residence

HISTORIC SITES

William and Margaret Siemon Residence 755 Camino Norte, Palm Springs, CA 92262

Conceived as a lightly-framed glass pavilion sheltered beneath a remarkably thin horizontal roof plane, the Siemon Residence represents a mature phase of Desert Modernism in which structure, enclosure, and landscape are reduced to their most essential elements.  Designed for William and Margaret Siemon by architect William F. Cody, the residence was built by Siemon in 1967.  Siemon was an established general contractor who developed custom homes, residential tracts, apartment buildings, and commercial properties, primarily in the South Bay and greater Los Angeles region.  The Siemons occupied the home until their deaths in 2001 and 2005, respectively.

REFERENCES

Read the nomination

On March 11, 2026, the Palm Springs Preservation Foundation (acting as agent for the owners) submitted the 67-page Class 1 Historic Resource nomination for the Siemon Residence to the city of Palm Springs.

In August of 2025, the Palm Springs Preservation Foundation board of directors assigned the task of writing the Class 1 Historic Resource nomination for the William and Margaret Siemon Residence to PSPF board member Steven Keylon.

Courtesy Steven Keylon
Courtesy Steven Keylon
Categories
Grants and Sponsorships

Herbert W Burns

Grants & Sponsorships

Herbert W. Burns, Star on the Palm Springs Walk of the Stars SPONSORSHIP

On October 17, 2025, the Palm Springs Preservation Foundation sponsored the 480th star on the Palm Springs Walk of the Stars for architectural designer Herbert W. Burns.  The star is sited on the north side of the Palm Springs Art Museum, Architecture and Design Center.

Herbert Burns had a distinctive “Late Moderne” architectural style and created modernist buildings with a true sense of place.  His buildings were appropriate to the desert surroundings, and perfect for the indoor–outdoor lifestyle people wanted to lead in Palm Springs.  Despite having no formal training, Burns received international press and recognition from the beginning of his career in 1947 with his very first project in Palm Springs, the Town & Desert Apartment Hotel (now “The Hideaway”).  Burns’ work has stood the test of time and many of his buildings have been designated Class 1 Historic Resources by the city of Palm Springs.  PSPF was honored to have many of Burns’ relatives attend the star dedication.  Speeches were made by Burns family members and residents who have the pleasure of owning a Burns-designed home. 

Click the image above to read the entire handout.
Click the image above to read the entire handout.
Categories
Historic Sites

Temple Isaiah

HISTORIC SITES

Temple Isaiah 332 West Alejo Road, Palm Springs, CA 92262

Temple Isaiah is a multi-phase religious complex representing three significant periods of mid-century and contemporary architecture. The original building was designed in 1949-1952 by E. Stewart Williams, expanded in 1960-1962 by Wexler & Harrison, and comprehensively redesigned in 1982-1987 by David Christian. The complex houses internationally significant artwork by kinetic artist Yaacov Agam and has served as the spiritual and cultural center for Palm Springs’ Jewish community for over 75 years, making it an exceptional example of evolving Reform Jewish sacred architecture in Southern California.

REFERENCES

Read the nomination

On May 5, 2026, the city’s Historic Site Preservation Board voted unanimously to recommend to city council approval of the Class 1 Historic Resource designation of Temple Isaiah. Nomination author and PSPF board member Steven Keylon spoke in support of the nomination.

On November 28, 2025, the Palm Springs Preservation Foundation (acting as agent for the owners) submitted the 104-page Class 1 Historic Resource nomination for the Temple Isaiah to the city of Palm Springs.

In August of 2025, the Palm Springs Preservation Foundation board of directors assigned the task of writing the Class 1 Historic Resource nomination for the Temple Isaiah to PSPF board member Steven Keylon.

Palm Springs Art Museum, Architecture and Design Center Archives
Palm Springs Art Museum, Architecture and Design Center Archives

IN THE MEDIA

May 5, 2026, The Palm Springs Post (“Palm Springs preservation board recommends historic designation for Temple Isaiah”)

Categories
Grants and Sponsorships

First Church of Christ, Scientist Restoration (Now Dezart Playhouse)

Grants & Sponsorships

First Church of Christ, Scientist Restoration
(Now Dezart Playhouse)
605 South Riverside Drive, Palm Springs, CA 92264
 GRANT

Designed by famed modernist architect Albert Frey of Frey and Chambers, construction of the church began in October of l956.  The first church service was held on March 17, l957.  The church was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in June of 2016.  Dezart Performs purchased the church in December of 2024, with the intent of converting it into the Dezart Playhouse.  The renovation project, being overseen by PSPF board advisor and preservation architect Susan Secoy Jensen, aims to transform the building into a fully-equipped professional theater with a 150-seat capacity, a rehearsal hall, and other amenities, all while preserving the integrity of the original architecture.   

On April 22, 2026, the Palm Springs city council unanimously (5-0) approved the Class 1 Historic Resource designation of the First Church of Christ, Scientist building (now Dezart Playhouse). The 40-page nomination was written by Peter Moruzzi. The building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2016 as part of “The Architecture of Albert Frey” multiple property listing.

The first of two renovation phases of the church was unveiled on November 13-15, 2025 when the Dezart Playhouse opened with “West Side Story in Concert” (the church and the Tony Award–winning musical both debuted in 1957). Phase 2 of the renovation (and the theater’s most dramatic changes) are scheduled for the Spring of 2026. To read more click here.

In response to a solicitation from Dezart Performs, in September of 2025 the Palm Springs Preservation Foundation board of directors voted unanimously to award a $10,000 grant to that organization with the condition that the expenditure of grant monies be used, “to engage the professional services of an experienced preservation architect.”  The PSPF board’s intention was to maintain the property’s integrity consistent with the needs of a professional theatre company.

To read the PSPF grant letter click here.

Julius Shulman © J. Paul Getty Trust. Getty Research Institute, Los Angeles (2004.R.10)
Julius Shulman © J. Paul Getty Trust. Getty Research Institute, Los Angeles (2004.R.10)
Courtesy Susan Secoy Jensen
Courtesy Susan Secoy Jensen

IN THE MEDIA

November 2, 2025, Palm Springs Life (First Church of Christ, Scientist Restoration)
June 26, 2025, Visit Palm Springs (From Sacred Space to Center Stage)

Categories
Historic Sites

Goulding Estate

HISTORIC SITES

Edmund Goulding Estate 1752 Ridge Road, Palm Springs, CA 92264

The Goulding Estate is one of Palm Springs’ most important early connections to Hollywood’s golden age. Originally constructed circa 1927-28 as part of Edmond Fulford’s pioneering Palm Springs Mesa subdivision, the property was transformed into the internationally renowned “Little White House” compound under the ownership of celebrated film director Edmund Goulding (1935-1941) and served as an unofficial embassy for Hollywood’s elite and European aristocracy.

REFERENCES

Read the nomination

On March 25, 2026, the Palm Springs city council unanimously (5-0) approved the Class 1 Historic Resource designation of the Edmund Goulding Estate. Nomination author and PSPF board member Steven Keylon made persuasive public comment in support of the designation.

On February 3, 2026, the city’s Historic Site Preservation Board voted unanimously to recommend to city council approval of the Class 1 Historic Resource designation of the Edmund Goulding Estate. Nomination author and PSPF board member Steven Keylon spoke in support of the nomination.

On November 4, 2025, the Palm Springs Preservation Foundation (acting as agent for the owners) submitted the 226-page Class 1 Historic Resource nomination for the Goulding Estate to the city of Palm Springs.

In March of 2025, the Palm Springs Preservation Foundation board of directors assigned the task of writing the Class 1 Historic Resource nomination for the Edmund Goulding Estate to PSPF board member Steven Keylon.

Goulding Courtesy PSHS

IN THE MEDIA

February 3, 2026, The Palm Springs Post (“Historic board recommends landmark status for director Edmund Goulding’s ‘Little White House’ estate”)

Categories
Uncategorized

City Fees

Current Advocacies

City Fees for Historic Designation

On November 5, 2025, PSPF received a less positive email response from city manager Scott Stiles, which stated in part, “…Council made some difficult across-the-board decisions to better align user fees, including these ones, with actual costs to…ensure that we are recovering the costs of providing our services.”

On October 29, 2025, PSPF received a very positive email response from council member David Ready, which stated in part, “With regard to waiving the fees as a policy, I think that process has worked well in the past and helped the City achieve its goals with regard to preservation.”

On October 14, 2025, PSPF delivered a letter to Palm Springs city manager Scott Stiles asking that the city reconsider the implementation of new fees for the processing of Class 1 Historic Resource and Historic District nominations.  PSPF coordinated the letter with Modernism Week, Palm Springs Modern Committee, and Palm Springs Architectural Alliance.  The letter states in part “Our concern is that the proposed roll-out of these significant fees will slow the rate of historic nomination submissions, and make them only affordable to the affluent.  We ask the city to re-evaluate the proposed fee schedule recognizing the obvious and significant cultural and economic benefits that accrue from a vibrant historic preservation program.”  To read the PSPF letter click here.

The new fees can be found on page 227 (and elsewhere) of the September 25, 2025 city staff report.  To read the city staff report click here.

wooden-cubes-arrangement
Categories
Grants and Sponsorships

California Digital Newspaper Collection

Grants & Sponsorships

California Digital Newspaper Collection GRANT

On May 27, 2025, the PSPF board of directors voted to award a $5,000.00 grant to the University of California (Riverside) Foundation to help guarantee the continuing operation of the California Digital Newspaper Collection (CDNC).  The CDNC is an indispensable resource for architectural historians and interested researchers and the searchable online database contains vintage California newspapers published from 1846 to the Present.  To read the grant letter click here. 

CNDC