General Phineas Banning Residence Museum

The Banning Residence Museum is a national, state and city historical landmark and a Los Angeles Recreation and Parks Department Facility. It is the finest example of 19th century Greek Revival domestic architecture in Southern California and houses an extensive collection of late 19th century decorative arts, textiles, and furnishings that are used to interpret the residence.

The House was built in 1864 by General Phineas Banning, a city founder and California State Senator. It is open to the public via docent-let tours. Since 1974, the House interiors have been carefully restored to their Victorian beauty, and today eleven rooms are open to the public. They reflect decorative elements added during the sixty years of family residence and demonstrate the eclectic nature of a home lived in by several generations.

The House and surrounding twenty acres of parkland were acquired by the City of Los Angeles in 1927. The Department of Recreation and Parks manages the facility in cooperation with Friends of Banning Museum, a private, nonprofit corporation. Friends of Banning Museum develops the historical aspects of the Museum, and raises funds for continuing restoration and education programs.