The Date: June 6, 2010
The Location: Charles F. Lummis Home and Garden
200 East Avenue 43, Los Angeles [MAP]
Note: This event is not hosted by GHOULA. This is just a local (ghost related) event that exists independently that GHOULA wants its members to know about. As such, docents and staff at this event may not wish to discuss this landmark's haunted history.
The Ghost(s):
It is said that Hitler gave orders not to touch the Jewish ghetto in Prague (the only such place not destroyed by the SS). The reason this community was spared was because Hitler was planning to build a museum for "the extinct race" there. Obviously, Hitler never succeeded. However, Charles Lummis did build the American equivalent of that idea (even if this was not its intended purpose), when he started the South West Museum (built not far from his house) using his collection of Native American artifacts.
Although, Charles Lummis was a tireless activist for "Indian" rights, his collection and that museum, sadly is both a treasure trove and a sterile reminder of a culture that really doesn't exist outside of these exhibits (especially back in the museum's hey-day back before the collection was broken up). Legend has it that Native American belongings that were sold to collectors out of desperation, carry with them a curse. Therefore, is it any wonder that this Museum has had a very troubled history of safety issues (located on top of a hill), money issues, and management issues?
Is it also any wonder that both the museum, and the nearby Lummis House are said to have ghosts? Dark figures are said to walk around both properties. The Lummis House was built between 1898-1910, using stones found on the riverbed in the Arroyo Seco. This strange almost folk art-like house is said to be a precursor to the "craftsman" movement in local Architecture. Among the many curiosities of this odd "castle" are the "photo negative" windows, the inaccessible second floor (no stairs or fixed ladders), and the haunted basement (where most of the sighting occur).
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