$500,000 grant will create 200 Latino historic markers in Los Angeles

Planner Ken Bernstein says the $500K donation honors contributions of LA's Latino community.

The city of Los Angeles has received a $500,000 grant from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation to broaden public awareness of the city’s Latino heritage, officials announced on Wednesday, July 17.

The funding will support a citywide system of up to 200 historic markers in public spaces that will contain QR codes linked to online information, photos and other multimedia content.

Additionally, grant funding for the city’s Office of Historic Resources will support the creation of at least one new featured search category in the inventory, making it easier for the public to explore these significant sites.

“This support from the Mellon Foundation will allow us to highlight the vibrant history and cultural contributions of the Latino community in Los Angeles, making these stories more accessible to everyone,” Ken Bernstein, principal city planner of the Office of Historic Resources, said in a statement.

The project will also establish protocols and best practices for community engagement. The Office of Historic Resources aims to incorporate community-based knowledge about these important sites, ensuring that the history documented is accurate, inclusive and reflective of the community’s experiences.