About Us

Wilshire Ebell Theatre

A historic, elegant venue in Los Angeles, offering versatile rental spaces for performances, events, and celebrations in a timeless setting.

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History Room

The History Room at The Ebell hosts engaging pop-up events that spotlight the rich historical and cultural heritage of Los Angeles in an intimate and immersive setting.

Terrace

A charming outdoor space featuring beautiful landscaping, perfect for ceremonies, receptions, and cocktail hours, offering a peaceful garden atmosphere amid the elegance of this historic venue.

Sunroom

A bright, airy space with large windows that allow for plenty of natural light, making it perfect for intimate gatherings, workspaces, or community events. It has recently been reopened as a community hub, providing a tranquil setting for work or relaxation between meetings.

Library

An intimate and historically rich space, ideal for small gatherings, meetings, or reading sessions, surrounded by elegant wood paneling and vintage books, providing a quiet retreat within the grand Ebell campus. The library reflects the institution's long history of supporting women's education and culture.

The Fine Arts Auditorium

An intimate, historically significant space, used for lectures and cultural events.

The Juniors Room

The French Room

An elegant, intimate space adorned with vintage mirrors and classic decor, perfect for small gatherings, bridal preparations, and other private events, offering a luxurious and timeless atmosphere that reflects the venue's rich history.

The Lounge

A grand, stately space featuring high ceilings, an ornate engraved ceiling, and large windows that fill the room with natural light, making it ideal for formal gatherings, cocktail receptions, or social events.

Dining Room

A versatile space featuring carved archways, a built-in stage, and elegant design elements, making it ideal for large receptions, seated dinners, or formal events.

Salon

An elegant and historic space known for its intricate design, including high ceilings, ornate details, and large windows that create a bright and airy atmosphere.

Garden

The Garden at The Ebell of Los Angeles is a beautifully landscaped outdoor space that provides a serene and picturesque setting for weddings, cocktail receptions, and ceremonies.

Our Founding

The Ebell was founded by Harriet W. R. Strong, Clara Burdette, Alice Parsons, Emmie Parsons and Franklina Bartlett. with Strong serving as its first President. A pioneering entrepreneur, she became the country’s leading walnut producer, earning her the title "Walnut Queen."

1894

1897

Ebell's First Home

The Ebell’s first campus is built at 724 South Broadway. The building is described as a “modified Greek temple.”

Larger Campus Built

Architects Hunt and Eager are commissioned to design a larger campus located at 1719 South Figueroa Street. This location was occupied by the Club until 1927.

1905

1908

LA Red Cross

The Los Angeles Chapter of the California Red Cross is created with the help of the Ebell Club.

Rest Cottage Association

The Ebell’s philanthropic organization, The Rest Cottage Association, is created to provide aid to “women in need of loving care.” The RCA was started in a cottage on West 95th Street.

1918

1919

The Ebell Scholarship Fund

The Ebell Scholarship fund is established to assist students in the Los Angeles community.

Julia Morgan Designs RCA

Julia Morgan, famed architect of San Simeon, designed a new building for the Rest Cottage Association, located at 135 North Park View Street.

1924

1927

Architect Sumner Hunt Design Present Building

Architect Sumner Hunt designs the Club’s present location, located at 4400 Wilshire Boulevard.

Iron Masterpiece By John William Chard

An iron masterpiece designed by John William Chard is placed in position at the campus main entrance.

1928

1929

The Art Salon

The Art Salon is established with the purpose of fostering an atmosphere of art and appreciation. The Art Salon is regarded as one of the first art galleries in Los Angeles.

The Fountain Of Honor

The Fountain of Honor is designed by Henry Lion in memory of Ebell members’ sons, husbands and brothers whose lives were lost in World War I.

1930

1934

Judy Garland Discovered

Baby Frances Gumm, better known as Judy Garland, was discovered on the Wilshire Ebell Theatre stage by MGM producer, George Sidney.

Amelia Earhart

Amelia Earhart gives her last public speech in the Fine Arts Gallery of the Ebell, prior to her ill-fated flight around the world.

1937

1940

War Bonds!

During World War II Ebell members sold more War Bonds than any other women’s club. During this time the Ebell basement is also used as an air-raid shelter and USO dances are held in the Solarium.

Los Angeles Cultural Monument

The Ebell is designated a Los Angeles Cultural Monument

1982

1994

National Register

The Ebell is placed on the National Register of Historic Places

Official American Treasure

The Ebell is named an Official American Treasure by the National Trust for Historic Preservation and the White House Millennium Council

1999

2009

Rita Moreno Lifetime Award

Rita Moreno awarded the Ebell Lifetime Achievement Award

First Lady Michelle Obama And Jill Biden

First Lady, Michelle Obama, and Jill Biden visit The Ebell and Wilshire Ebell Theatre for a special celebratory event, An Evening with Michelle Obama

2010

2019

Ebell Friends

Ebell Friends a 501C3 was founded in 2019 to establish an endowment for the preservation and restoration of our historic building. 

Covid Closure

March 2020 The Ebell campus was closed due to the COVID-19 Pandemic

2020

Debbie Allen Opening Address

Debbie Allen delivered the Opening Day Address for 2020 over Zoom. Allen was chosen for 43rd 2021 Kennedy Center Honors, recognizing her lifetime of achievement in the arts.

Mayor-Elect Karen Bass Holds 1st Press Conference

Karen Bass holds her first press conference as Mayor-Elect at The Ebell on Novemer 17, 2022 with a cheering group of supporters behind her. Bass is Los Angeles's first female Mayor.

2022

2023

Ebell-Comissioned Operetta Debuts At Ebell Theatre

An operetta commissioned by The Ebell celebrated three influential women of the 1920s-30s: Latina actress Dolores del Río, African-American publisher Charlotta Bass, and Asian-American aviator Katherine Cheung.