Preservation After Disaster: Re-establishing Historic Neighborhoods

Learn how one couple is reimagining the concept of catalog homes from the 1920s to help restore the homes lost in last year's CA fires.

Please join us for a complimentary presentation by Lake Forest native Alex Athenson and Cynthia Sigler, architects and co-founders of The Foothill Catalog Foundation, as they share an innovative approach to preserving and re-establishing historic neighborhoods lost in the catastrophic Eaton Fire that struck Altadena, California, on January 7, 2025.

Alex and Cynthia will discuss how vintage kit home catalogs from the early 1920s—once a practical home-building tool—can be reimagined to help restore architectural heritage and support the return of longtime residents to this devastated community.

Lake Forest has a meaningful local connection to this effort. Our community features an abundance of early 20th-century kit homes, particularly in the West Park and South Park neighborhoods, making this story especially resonant.

Come celebrate Lake Forest’s architectural legacy and our shared commitment to restoring a community’s character and historical assets after profound loss.