More Than Just a Barn: Celebrating Hollywood Heritage Museum’s 40th Anniversary

By Goweho Staff | December 7, 2025

The historic Lasky-DeMille Barn traveled along Sunset Boulevard to it’s current home across from the Hollywood Bowl on Feb 13, 1983.

Today it stands as the Hollywood Heritage Museum, which kicked off its 40th anniversary with a new exhibit in December.  The museum is open Saturdays, Sundays and the first Thursday of the month.

The 40th Anniversary exhibit, “The Barn that Made Hollywood,” tells two related stories.

First, how film industry pioneers Jesse Lasky and Cecil B. DeMille landed in Hollywood and made the barn a production facility. Second, how “the barn” survived for 125 years despite numerous moves.

A History of Preservation

Visitors to the museum can also learn about Hollywood Heritage’s history as a preservation advocacy group, founded by five women intent on protecting historic Hollywood and the Lasky DeMille barn. Visitors will also learn about “The Squaw Man” (1913), Lasky and DeMille’s first feature-length film, but also the first feature made in Hollywood.

The humble barn was saved and revered by Hollywood Heritage, standing today as a testament to Hollywood’s origins.

Birth of Paramount Pictures

The museum showcases the key role that the building played in early cinema history, and the birth of the company that became Paramount Pictures in 1916.

There are many stories behind the 1901 barn, but its landmark status was sealed when rented by Lasky and DeMille in 1913.

Find out how the barn became a museum, after years of being moved around Hollywood, including time spent as a gym on the Paramount Studios lot. Meet the many characters in this Hollywood story that spans more than 100 years–40 of them after Hollywood Heritage relocated the barn to its current location on Highland Avenue.

Early 20th Century Structures

In addition to the oldest surviving movie studio in Hollywood, the anniversary exhibit also features some of Hollywood’s last remaining early 20th century residences.

Visitors can also learn about Hollywood Heritage’s preservation activities surrounding the Janes House and Wattles Mansion.

Those interested in historic Hollywood preservation, Hollywood Heritage is accepting volunteers onto its preservation committee. The work includes an advocacy plan to revitalize Hollywood Boulevard.

Email Hollywood Heritage for an orientation at info@hollywoodheritage.org, put Preservation Committee in the subject line.

Silent Film Screenings

During the 40th anniversary exhibit, the Silent Society will present monthly screenings at the Museum.

The next screening is Monday, March 9, at 7:30 p.m. Join the audience for a “Latin Lover” & “It Girl” double feature.

There’s plenty of sex appeal (blush) of “The Sheik,” starring Rudolph Valentino, and “Mantrap,” starring Clara Bow. Live musical accompaniment will be provided by Michael Mortilla. The event is programmed by Randy Haberkamp, and projections from 16mm prints will be done by projectionist Jere Guldin,

Get tickets soon, screenings have been selling out.

Screening Schedule

March 9 – 7:30 PM The “Latin Lover” and the “It Girl” Double Feature

Rudolph Valentino in “The Sheik” (1921)

Clara Bow in “Mantrap” (1925)

April 13 – 7:30 p.m. Early DeMille Double Feature

“The Cheat” (1915)

“The Golden Chance” (1915)

HOURS & PARKING:

The Hollywood Heritage Museum is typically open Saturdays and Sundays, plus the first Thursday of the month, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and during scheduled special events. The museum will be closed Sunday, March 15, for the Academy Awards ceremony. Hours can also vary due to the Hollywood Bowl schedule, so it is best to check the website before visiting.

Parking is free in the museum’s front lot. The museum is across from the Hollywood Bowl. Entry to the lot is on the side streets Odin and Milner.

Admission: $15 general; free to members (except for special events).

Hollywood Heritage

For more details about the anniversary exhibit click Hollywood Heritage.

The Hollywood Heritage Museum is housed in the Lasky-DeMille Barn, Hollywood’s oldest surviving motion picture studio. The building was designated a California State Historic Landmark No. 554 in 1956. The mission of Hollywood Heritage is to preserve, protect and promote the history, architecture and artifacts of Hollywood.

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