Heritage Square
The Pulse takes you on a tour of the Heritage Square Museum in Los Angeles.
The eight historic structures located at the museum, constructed during the Victorian Era, were saved from demolition and serve as a perfect background to educate the public about the everyday lives of Southern Californians from the close of the 19th Century into the early decades of the 20th Century.
Over the past fifty years, Heritage Square Museum has acquired and begun the restoration on eight historically significant buildings from different Los Angeles neighborhoods.
Located on acres of period appropriate landscaped grounds, the museum is the place where history comes alive! Rumor has it, so do the spirits.
From the simplicity of the Longfellow-Hastings Octagon House to the opulence of the William Perry Mansion, the Museum provides a unique look at the lifestyles of the people who contributed so much to the development of modern Los Angeles.
We talk to Executive Director Kori Capaldi about the museum, the events she is hosting here, and how you can come and experience this amazing park.
We also talk to one of the tour guides, Miles about the history of the Hale House and “Bessie” Hale.
Miles our tour guide
The Hale House was built in 1887 by George W. Morgan, a land speculator and real estate developer, at the foot of Mount Washington just a few blocks from the museum in Highland Park in Los Angeles.
The building is an outstanding example of the Queen Anne and Eastlake styles.
The house was sold many times and was moved from 4501 to 4425 North Pasadena Avenue (now Figueroa Street) before being purchased by James G. Hale in 1906. It remained in the Hale Family until it was acquired by the museum in 1970, as a Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument (No. 40).
The exterior colors of Hale House were reproduced from chips of the original colors found on the house during restoration. The interior has been restored to represent the rooms as they may have appeared in 1899.
The house was purchased by James G. Hale and his newlywed, Beret “Bessie” Hovelsrud, in 1901. James Hale met Bessie, a farm girl from Nebraska, at the Pio Pico House she was waitressing in. The two fell in love, got married, and purchased the Hale House to live in; however, a few years later, the couple separated and Hale died from a heart attack on August 15, 1921, at age 51.
People claim they feel the spirit of Bessie in the house! We felt good energy in here.
Bessie Hale
Bessie retained title to the house. She operated the house as a boarding house until the late 1950s and lived there until she died in 1966 at age 97.
Inside the house
Fun Fact: Legally Blonde filmed one of it’s scenes here at the Perry Mansion! This is the scene!
Location
Heritage Square Museum
3800 Homer Street
Los Angeles, California 90031
Located just north of Downtown Los Angeles off the 110 freeway
Heritage Square Museum is located at 3800 Homer Street, Los Angeles, California, 90031-1530 alongside the 110 Arroyo Seco Parkway (otherwise known as the 110 Pasadena/Harbor Freeway), just north of Dodger Stadium and Downtown Los Angeles.
Hours
Open Saturday & Sunday
General Admission &
Museum Store Hours
11:00 am – 5:00 pm
Guided Tours at
12:00 pm and 3:00 pm
Upcoming events:
