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Update: Conservancy Seeks Beach House Docents – March 29 Deadline

December 20, 2013

Would you like to join the enthusiastic and dedicated group of volunteers who have been offering guided tours of the Annenberg Community Beach House since it opened in 2009?

For the first time in several years, the Santa Monica Conservancy is opening a new training class for volunteers interested in being a docent at the Annenberg Community Beach House.

Become a Beach House Docent and learn about the three major people connected to the site – William Randolph (WR) Hearst, Marion Davies, and architect Julia Morgan – as well as stories of Hollywood in Santa Monica and the history of the Gold Coast beach.

Marion DaviesPhoto courtesy of Brian Thomas Jones

Docents are expected to work two three-hour shifts per month, offering tours of the Marion Davies guest house and the site. Interested candidates are advised to visit the Beach House and take a tour if they have not already done so. Trainees will attend three lectures in April, followed by on-site training. Prior experience as a docent is not required; one only needs an interest in interacting with people.

Docent training lectures will include the following program:

  • April 5: Writer Cari Beachamp on WR Hearst; historian Marc Wanamaker on Hollywood in Santa Monica and the glory days of Hearst and Davies.
  • April 12: Consultant Christy McAvoy on the history of the ACBH site; architect John Berley of Fred Fisher and Partners Architects, on the transformation of the site.
  • April 19: Film historian Elaina Archer will present her documentary on Marion Davies; docent Kay Pattison will discuss Marion and her relationship with Hearst.

The lectures will be held at Ken Edwards Center, 1527 4th Street from 2 – 4 pm. Parking is available on site as well as at Santa Monica Place. While the lectures are free for docent trainees, the public may attend for a donation of $10 per lecture or $25 for the 3 lecture series.  Space is limited.

The deadline for applications is Saturday, March 29.

To apply, click Docent Application for a form.  Once completed, mail your application form to Santa Monica Conservancy, P.O. Box 653 Santa Monica, California 90406-0653.  For additional questions, please contact [email protected].

 

 

 

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