Laguna Beach Historical Society

Vern Spitaleri, President, is a long time Laguna resident; former publisher of the Laguna News-Post; led effort to create Main Beach Park; former Board Member of Festival of Arts, and was President of Motivated Museum Members leading to keeping the Laguna Art Museum in Laguna Beach.

Kimberly Stuart, Vice President, is a former Planning Commissioner (Chair 2002), and Design Review Board Member (Chair 2000) and is pleased to be a Board member of the Laguna Beach Historical Society, looking forward to participating with members in preserving and enhancing the heritage of our community resources.  Kimberly and her husband raised her 18 year-old daughter through the Laguna Beach school system and Anneliese’s School.  Their  4 year-old son attends Anneliese’s preschool. Kimberly and her husband, both architects, have their own firm Stuart Architecture in town, focused on planning, architecture, and urban design. Kimberly served on the American Institute of Architects Orange County Chapter’s Board of Directors for eight years, President in 2002 of the 1,100 member chapter.  She continues to serve the AIA at the state level on two advisory committees.

Nelda Stone, Secretary, Librarian and long serving Laguna Beach Historical Society board member; currently Secretary.

Gene Felder, Treasurer has been a long-time member of the Laguna Beach Historical Society.  Gene was raised in La Mirada, lived in Laguna Beach in 1970-71 returning in 1985 and resides on Park Avenue in the Top of the World Neighborhood.  He and his wife Johanna have been active in civic affairs and many non-profit organizations in town including the Friendship Shelter, Laguna Art Museum, Laguna Canyon Conservancy, Laguna Canyon Foundation, Laguna Greenbelt, Top of the World Neighborhood Association, and Village Laguna.

Gregg De Nicola Frequented Laguna Beach and it's beaches since 1969. Opened medical office in 2000. Lists history of the area as major  passion/ hobby. Proud supporter of Sawdust Festival, Pageant of the Masters, Laguna Playhouse, and Laguna Art Museum. Supports local artists by requiring all art in office be from Laguna.

Anne Frank has lived in Laguna Beach since 1966.  During 1991-1992 she served as the first President of the newly formed Laguna Beach Historical Society.  Presently she is a member of the City of Laguna Beach Heritage Committee.

John Hoover has lived in Laguna Beach and been involved with organizations for decades, currently involved with eight such groups.  John’s volunteering includes for: Festival of Arts, Laguna Art Museum, Laguna Film Society, Laguna Beach Chamber of Commerce.  He still finds time to work at his home loan business.  In 2005, John was elected as a Board Member of the Festival of the Arts.

Jane Petty Janz was born and raised in Laguna, her family first coming to Laguna in the 1880s.  Jane is the granddaughter of Nick Isch [who was Joseph Yoch’s brother in law].   Nick Isch ran the local grocery on the corner of Laguna Avenue and South Coast Boulevard; he also served as Postmaster.  Having grown up hearing stories of “the old days” Jane’s interest in Laguna’s history has only grown and she enjoys researching Laguna’s past.  Her fondest wish for Laguna?  A real History Museum.

Eric Jessen is  a 45 year Laguna Beach resident and long-time Board Member of the Laguna Beach Historical Society.  The Jessen family settled in Santa Ana in 1869, and moved to Laguna in 1915, where they founded the first insurance company in town.  In 2005, Eric retired as Chief of the County of Orange Harbors, Beaches, and Parks Department. Prior to that employment, he was a landscape contractor, during which he designed and executed the historic landscape restoration of Laguna Beach National Historic Landmark Villa Rockledge, He served the City as Chairman of the Historic Advisory Board that performed the original survey of historic buildings in town, as well as President, South Coast Water District.

Ronald Kaufman

Glenna Mathews raised in Laguna Beach; Ph.D. Stanford University specializing in California history.  She taught at both University of California Berkeley and Stanford and is working on her 6th book.

Francie Holder Pemper used to write the Laguna Home Companion section for the Laguna Beach Independent newspaper.

Karen Smith

Georgiana Valdez was a resident since 1982 raising two daughters in Laguna Beach.  She is a strong advocate of preserving our Laguna Beach Heritage.  When not on call with her business, Georgina has dedicated her time and energy for many years to the beauty of Laguna Beach, as a participant in the Beautification Council’s many notable accomplishments.