Friends of Robinson Gardens

W e l c o m e t o v I r g I n I a R o b I n s o n G a r d e n s

Claudia Deutsch - President of Friends of Robinson Gardens

Friends of Robinson Gardens

Friends of Robinson Gardens, a volunteer non-profit organization, has the unique and enviable task of helping to preserve one of the most beautiful estates in Beverly Hills.

The ROBINSON GARDENS was the dream home and gardens of HARRY AND VIRGINIA ROBINSON and is presently the only home of its kind open for public viewing in Beverly Hills. FRIENDS OF ROBINSON GARDENS have raised over three million dollars towards the restoration and preservation of the VIRGINIA ROBINSON ESTATE. Our primary fundraiser is the annual GARDEN BENEFIT TOUR held in the spring of each year.

The annual GARDEN BENEFIT TOUR has been called by the press “the most glamorous of its kind in Southern California.” It offers a view of privately owned distinguished gardens presented by their owners and landscape architects. The gardens range from the extremely formal to the frivolous, for children and for the nature lover. They have covered the gambit of all types of design and all areas of horticulture.

The crown jewel on the GARDEN BENEFIT TOUR is the ROBINSON GARDENS AND ESTATE. Bequeathed upon the death of Virginia Robinson to Los Angeles County, the estate is presently part of the Department of Parks and Recreation and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The garden is also the elegant setting for the annual Patron Gala which recreates the beautiful surrounds as Mrs. Robinson might have invited her renowned and celebrated guests to enjoy.

FRIENDS OF ROBINSON GARDENS also sponsor a very active OUTREACH PROGRAM with volunteers hosting an annual HOLIDAY PARTY AND GARDEN TOUR for children from MARYVALE and HATHAWAY CHILDREN’S SERVICES. The Children’s Holiday celebration was started in 1989. This event is enthusiastically planned and attended by Friends and eagerly anticipated by the children. This program is carrying on the tradition of VIRGINIA ROBINSON who was actively involved in many philanthropic activities.

MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT

Debra Shaw

The Friends of Robinson Gardens is a talented group of volunteers dedicated to the preservation and restoration of the Virginia Robinson Estate. It is my honor to serve as president of the Friends. There is great reward in being a part of an effort that makes a difference in the quality of life in our community. Virginia Robinson Gardens is a dynamic and ever evolving institution. Even as we preserve the house and gardens as an historic landmark, there is an obligation to make it part of the world that surrounds it. Our education programs, the garden as envisioned by Tim Lindsay, even the Botanical Art Collection and Study Center fit into that larger picture. It is in relation to the present that we interpret and treasure the past.

We are working to create additional components of the Robinson estate in order that the

community will find interest in returning time and time again. Even repeat out-of-town visitors

should look forward to discovering something new each time they return. By choosing meaningful additions to the residence and the gardens, we will not diminish its historic accuracy, but highlight the spirit and importance of what is original. We start the New Year with a long list of strategic goals and well-defined objectives. We are continuing to focus on the ‘visitor experience’ through marketing and community relations efforts, web site linkages and education programs. Our responsibility is to educate our local community and to forge a stronger, more effective partnership with the local Visitors Bureau.

This is an exciting time to be involved in the Friends of Robinson Gardens. Our partnership with the County of Los Angeles has never been stronger and together we will work toward keeping the Virginia Robinson Gardens a world-class garden and estate of distinction.

We gratefully thank and acknowledge the generosity of the Friends whose hard work and gifts support the preservation, restoration, garden care and maintenance, and outstanding educational programs throughout the year.