THE MAGNIFICANT MAGNOLIA HOUSE

CHERISHING OUR VALLEY            2013

The Magnolia House 1982 -  Photographs by Robb Miller - click on image to enlarge them.

At the onset of the 1980s, one of the San Fernando Valley's most successful real estate agents, Jerry Berns, purchased and revitalized the historic Magnolia House in Sherman Oaks. These photographs by Valley architectural photographer Robb Miller show the beautiful old home just after its restoration.

 Entrance drive of the historic Magnolia House 1982 - Photos by Robb Miller

 

 

Living room - Historic Magnolia House - Photo gift to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley from Robb Miller 2013. 

 Foyer - Historic Magnolia House - Restored in 1989 by Jerry Berns.

 Recreation room - Restored Magnolia House - Photo by Robb Miller

Breakfast nook - Magnolia House 1989 - Home of Jerry Berns

ERNIE BANKS - 1984 OLYMPIC GAMES

2010   THE YEAR OF VALLEY ADVENTURES

Item by item, The Museum's collection of artifacts and memorabilia from the two Los Angeles based Olympic Games continues to grow. Here the great American athlete Ernie Banks poses with his wife Bernie, Jeanne Valvo (the chairperson for the silent auction) and Jerry and T.J. Berns, stop for a publicity photo during one of the many events surrounding the 1984 Games. (click on image to enlarge)
Photograph donated to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley in October of 2010 by Jerry Berns of Woodland Hills. 

If you or a friend has memorabilia from the Olympic Games, especially items related to the San Fernando Valley, please consider donating them to the Archives of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley.  1 - (818) 347-9665

SCULPTURE AT MAGUIRE AVIATION

2010    THE YEAR OF VALLEY ADVENTURES

Not many San Fernando Valley adventures will top the experience Jerry Berns arranged for
several of us this last Saturday at sundown - a helicopter exploration of the San Fernando Valley.
 Seeing this wonderful soaring eagle sculpture in the circular drive at Maguire Aviation at the Van Nuys Airport was the perfect way to start our evening.

American eagle leaving it tree perch - sculpture at Maguire Aviation at the Van Nuys Airport - photo gor the Archives of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley by Gerald Fecht - October 2010. (click on image to enlarge).

HISTORIC MAGNOLIA HOUSE IN SHERMAN OAKS

2010   THE YEAR OF VALLEY ADVENTURES

One of the most beautiful treasures of the San Fernando Valley is the historic Magnolia House in Sherman Oaks. Designated Los Angeles Cultural Monument number 293, the grand old house was built during the "roaring 20s" and reflects the passion for Spanish Colonial Revival architecture of the time.  Thanks to the vision of Valley realtor Jerry Berns, the Magnolia House was rescued and restored to some of its original beauty during the 1970s.  

Drawing of the Magnolia House - Gift to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley from Jerry Berns 2010.  (click on image to enlarge).  A detailed history of the Magnolia House, with photographs of its restoration was donated this month to The Museum's archives by Jerry Berns.

Please respect that the home, while a cultural monument, is a private residence and viewable only from the street.  13242 Magnolia Boulevard, Sherman Oaks.

REMEMBER THE SEATTLE WORLD'S FAIR? ENGINEER BILL

2010 THE YEAR OF VALLEY ADVENTURES

Pierce College students Phil Capka and Jerry Berns bicycle from Southern California to Seattle for the World's Fair.
Bill Stulla was a well known host of an afternoon kids show called Engineer Bill. Remember White Front Stores?

1950s BAR MITZVAH IN THE SAN FERNANDO VALLEY

2010 THE YEAR OF VALLEY ADVENTURES

Jerome Bernstein at his Bar Mitzvah in the San Fernando Valley - year and temple location unknown. Years later, as Jerry Berns, he would become one of the most successful realtors in America.

YOUNG MARINES FROM THE VALLEY IN THE VIETNAM WAR

2010 THE YEAR OF VALLEY ADVENTURES

Photo gift to the Archives of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley 2010 by Jerry Berns.

Pierce College Fraternity brothers, Jerry Berns (left) and Dennis Nolet joined the US Marine Corps early during the Vietnam war. The war devastated students organizations. Berns and Nolet's Fraternity, Phi Delta Psi, had as many as 12 young men serving in Vietnam at the same time. Many other Fraternity brothers were deployed across Europe and the United State.
After the war, one time Van Nuys resident Denny Nolet became a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine in Northern California. Jerry Berns created one of the most successful real estate companies in the United States. Jerry Berns is an adviser to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley.

A MEMORY FROM THE VIET NAM WAR BECOMES PART OF VALLEY HISTORY

2010 - The Year of Valley History
When Jerry Berns and Dennis Nolet became friends and fraternity brothers at Pierce College, they could have never dreamed of meeting one day half way around the world in Viet Nam. The ugly disruptions of war sometimes soften with time, and for the average college student today, born long after the Viet Nam war was over, that terrible conflict is seldom talked about and little understood.
This flyer was given to Jerry Berns from Denny Nolet somewhere in Viet Nam. Today Berns contributed it to the archives of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley, where it will soon be translated and made available for scholars and future exhibits.

LOSS OF DANTON BURROUGHS

Llana of Gathol - by Edgar Rice Burroughs - Gift to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley by Jerry Berns - 2008

The sudden death of Danton Burroughs of Tarzana brings before all of us the great importance of historical documentation and preservation of our history. The recent gift to our Museum of a first edition of Llana of Gathol by Edgar Rice Burroughs, illustrated by the great Valley illustrator and photographer John Coleman Burroughs, and inscribed by Danton Burroughs in 1987 presents three generations of the great Burroughs family. The book demonstrates the creative environment of the San Fernando Valley and by being part of the Museum of the San Fernando Valley's collections, will serve to inspire generations of Valley residents and visitors for years to come.

click on photo to enlarge the image.

The San Fernando Valley deserves a great Museum of history and culture.