Description
This collection consists of .42 linear feet (1 Hollinger box) and documents the construction and opening of the Broadway Spring
Center and the Biddy Mason Memorial Park located in downtown Los Angeles, California. The majority of the content dates to
1988-1989 with one magazine from 1993 The material contains correspondence between Robert Chattel and Donna Graves of The
Power of Place, ephemera, architectural model images, and articles that range from 1988 to 1993 related to the Biddy Mason
Memorial Park and its opening in 1989. Also included are photographs of the construction of the Broadway Spring Center and
detailed images and plans of the relief mural created by Tony Sheets located at the front of the building.
Background
Robert Jay Chattel is an architect based in Los Angeles, California. Chattel has over 40 years of experience in historic preservation
and the rehabilitation and expansion of historic buildings. In 1989, Chattel assisted with the completion of a mixed retail
and parking structure called The Broadway Spring Center and a new public art project made by the organization, The Power of
Place. This center was built at the site of the homestead of Los Angeles pioneer and former slave, Biddy Mason. The Broadway
Spring Center includes a large memorial dedicated to Biddy Mason and an opening ceremony was held on November 16, 1989 for
both the Broadway Spring Center and the Biddy Mason Memorial Park.
Restrictions
Contact the Balch Research Library for information on
publishing or reproducing materials included in these records.
Permission is granted by the Los Angeles County Museum of
Art as the owner of the physical materials, and does not imply
permission from the copyright holder. It is the responsibility of
the researcher to obtain all necessary permissions from the
copyright holder.
Availability
Open for use by qualified researchers and by appointment only through the Balch Research Library, Los Angeles County Museum
of Art. Telephone 323-857-6118 or email library@lacma.org, or by using the Make an Appointment Link at https://www.lacma.org/learn/balch-research-library.
Some institutional records may be unavailable in order to protect the privacy and safety of museum staff, visitors, and collections,
and where prohibited by law.