The Palos Verdes Historical Society and the Palos Verdes Art Center hosted their third annual fundraising Tea on October 20, 2024—a now-iconic event that seems to effortlessly outdo itself year after year. This year’s theme, Hollywood on the Hill, transformed the occasion into a scene of vintage glamour, echoing the opulence of classic Tinseltown. Guests arrived in high style, ready to step into the allure of Hollywood’s golden age.

Amid the warm hum of mingling guests and flutes of sparkling bubbly, the music of a bygone era transported everyone back to the time when legends graced the silver screen. A slideshow of classic actors and scenes filmed on the Peninsula added a nostalgic touch. Daniela Saxa-Kaneko, the Executive Director of the Art Center, welcomed the spirited crowd with her vision of a community steeped in artistry. She spoke of the center’s dedication to nurturing local talent through an array of exhibitions, classes, and creative programs, fostering the next generation of artists and cultural enthusiasts.

Dana Graham, President of the PV Historical Society, passionately addressed the crowd on a cause close to many hearts—the need for a dedicated museum to house the society’s vast collection of precious artifacts. While the society shares its treasures throughout the community—including the intricate Artisan Colony model crafted by Frank Vanderlip in France before World War I, and the historic mastodon tusk unearthed in Malaga Cove during the 1920s—a permanent museum would bring even more of these relics to the public eye. With every guest feeling a connection to the cause, an invitation was extended to join or contribute toward this cultural dream.

Afternoon tea featured an exquisite spread of delicate finger sandwiches, scones dusted with powdered sugar, and an array of decadent desserts, all set against elegant white ostrich feather centerpieces. The decor captured a timeless elegance that perfectly complemented the affair’s nostalgic charm. Guests were gifted beautiful fan pins as favors, featuring a genuine pearl.

Marc Wanamaker, a revered historian and curator of the Bison Archives, then held the audience spellbound with his retrospective on the film industry. Starting with the early days of the Bison Film Company in 1909, Wanamaker’s tales drew from his exceptional archive of over 70,000 photographs—a stunning tribute to the golden age of cinema.

The event was made possible by the generous support of sponsors, including Peninsula Escrow, UCLA Health, Friends of the Banning Museum, Malaga Bank, Palos Verdes Pulse Magazine, Realtor and lifetime PV resident Dana Graham, and Alta K. Graham.

Photographs provided by Simie Seaman, Visual Storyteller and President of the Wilmington Historical Society. 310-713-8176

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Diana R. Starr

Diana is a SoCal native who grew up barefooted on Venice Beach. After college she moved to Phoenix, AZ and then to Seattle, WA where she began her family. After having two busy little boys, she and her family jumped at the opportunity to return home to enjoy the sun and sand. Diana has written several books, likes to volunteer, loves to travel and sample the beautiful things in life.