Join the City of West Hollywood and LA County Library for the launch of WeHo Stories: Oral Histories from the First Years of West Hollywood’s Cityhood, a limited-edition coffee table book and companion website that preserves the oral history of West Hollywood through first-person narratives that reflect West Hollywood's formative years and ongoing evolution.
The publication features portraits and edited oral histories drawn from extensive interviews, offering readers insight into the social, political, and cultural forces that influenced West Hollywood’s development. Together, these narratives contribute to a richer understanding of local history by complementing official records with personal experiences and reflections.
The Book Launch event and conversation will feature an engaging discussion moderated by County Librarian and Director Dr. Skye Patrick with WeHo Stories’ creators and contributors:
- Author Barbara Grover
- Supervisor Lindsey P. Horvath of LA County's 3rd District
- Professor Richard Tahvildaran-Jesswein, Co-Director, Santa Monica College Public Policy Institute
The panelists will explore the power of storytelling as a force for community-building, identity, and advocacy, particularly within marginalized communities such as the LGBTQ+ community. Storytelling preserves lived experiences, counters cultural erasure, and reinforces a shared sense of belonging. Through striking portraits and first-person narratives, WeHo Stories documents West Hollywood’s distinctive history and ensures these memories endure.
The event is free and open to the public. Doors open at 6:30 pm. Limited validated parking will be available in the adjacent five-story West Hollywood Park structure.