SeeCalifornia.com

It is hard to believe that the heart of L.A. is home to not only the state’s tallest building— the 73-story U.S. Bank Tower built in 1989– but also James & Besse Hale House built in 1887. It is located at Heritage Square Museum, a complex of nine historic buildings where the newest methods of construction and restoration are used to preserve the oldest brick & mortar structures on Homer Street.

On December 7 & 8, 2013 Heritage Square introduces guests to nostalgia through the ages at an annual event called Holiday Lamplight Celebration. Witness the past become the present to the glow of Victorian homes lit by the aura of lamplight. Costumed actors reminisce about Christmases of their youth and how they compare to today’s traditions in this annual celebration honoring the museum’s existence. Tickets are limited for the event (see  heritagesquare.org), but you can do an incredibly good deed by making a small donation,  joining or giving a gift membership to your favorite California museum this holiday. Buying merchandise from their catalogs and gift stores also helps support them.  While Salvation Army bell ringers volunteer for special causes, the state’s historical museums are often overlooked as charity recipients. Typically, volunteers dig into their own pockets to help museums stay open and afloat.