PACIFIC PALISADES—The historic Villa Aurora expressed that amid the coronavirus pandemic, the residence will continue to remain closed until August. It was previously open to the public by appointment only.

The Villa Aurora mansion was the home of German-Jewish novelist and playwright Lion Feuchtwanger. Many German émigrés met within it and the Viertel house in Santa Monica. Among them were writer Thomas Mann, composer Arnold Schoenberg, and philosopher Ludwig Marcuse. Perhaps the most notable guest was silent film actor Charlie Chaplin.

After the deaths of the Feuchtwangers, the house was petitioned and granted landmarked status by the Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monuments and Pacific Palisades Historical Society. It is sustained and funded by the German Federal Foreign Office, the Federal Commissioner for Culture and the Media, and independent donations.

The Villa Aurora is now a residence for artists, it offers fellowships to writers, filmmakers, visual artists and composers. It also houses over 22,000 books in its library, and an additional 8,000 books at USC’s Feuchtwanger Memorial Library.

Canyon News spoke to Claudia Jordan of Villa Aurora who noted the house is not empty. She indicated they are currently working on virtual programs. Jordan noted that currently the fellowship program has been suspended.

The Villa Aurora is located at 520 Paseo Miramar, Pacific Palisades, CA 90272. For further information regarding the Villa, visit www.vatmh.org, call 310.454.4231, or email infola@vatmh.org.

Written By Mariam and Donald Roberts