Santa Monica History Museum Receives Lasting Legacy
For Immediate Release: December 1, 2010
New Santa Monica History Museum Receives Lasting Legacy From Local Building Materials Company
Bourget Bros. Gifts of Travertine and Granite Represent Key Design Elements, but also Serve to Dazzle Visitors to the Facility with their Natural Beauty, Elegance and Style
SANTA MONICA, CALIF. (December 1, 2010) – When the eagerly anticipated new 5,200-square-foot Santa Monica History Museum officially opened its doors to the public this past October, two attractions stood out that immediately drew “oohs” and “aahs” from the crowd entering the new facility. They were the vast expanse of Turkish Travertine that make up the floors of the lobby as well as the huge slabs of Chinese Granite that forms the backdrop of the majestic “Wall of Legacy” directly across from the entrance – both gifts to the museum from Santa Monica-based Bourget Bros. Building Materials, a pillar of the local business community since 1947.
“We wanted visitors entering the museum to be ‘wowed’ from the very start, even before visiting the rooms housing our interactive displays, exhibits, documents and unique artifacts,” said Louise Gabriel, President/CEO of the museum. “The stone products donated by Bourget Bros. set the tone and mood for the wonderful treasures that await our visitors, but they are also incredible attractions unto themselves, and help make our museum a showplace unlike any other in this area,” she added.
Kristina Andresen, president of Andresen Associates, the architectural firm that designed the museum, added that, “Every gift to the museum has been extremely important and greatly appreciated. However, Bourget Bros.’s gift of their elegant stone is truly an outstanding contribution in that it adds so much to the building’s overall design and ambience. The travertine and granite are not only warm, rich and inviting materials, every piece in our complex design was precisely cut by Bourget stone craftsmen to complement the museum’s décor and enhance the priceless items on display in the museum.”
The color tones of the Turkish Travertine used in the lobby derive from a combination of three Bourget Bros. color palettes – Sienna Premium, Noce Premium and Golden Sienna. The Sienna Premium lends a light shade to the travertine, while the Noce mixes a rich mocha brown hue with the vibrant blend of orange tones found in the Golden Sienna. The Travertine, which is also used in the museum’s countertops and restrooms, has qualities that lend themselves equally well to commercial and residential use.
Chinese Granite, named Cactus Granite, was selected for the museum’s “Wall of Legacy” due to its rich dark green cast, which contrasts perfectly with the bronze tree and leaves on which the names of the museum’s major donors and supporters are prominently displayed. Towering and majestic, the wall instantly captures visitors’ attention and draws them into the main reception area.
“We are very proud to be residents of this vibrant city that we love so dearly, Santa Monica,” said Leonard Bourget, Chief Financial Officer of Bourget Bros. “Santa Monica been a part of our lives for decades, and the stone contribution we made to the Santa Monica History Museum is our way of ‘giving back’ to the community and saying thanks for all it has done for us over the years. We are honored to be an integral part of the museum, and to have our building products there be a lasting legacy to our company, our family and our entrepreneurial spirit.”
Founded in 1947 in Santa Monica, Bourget Bros. Building Materials was the brainchild of brothers Henry, Lawrence and Leo Bourget, who bought a concrete manufacturing plant in Santa Monica and opened Bourget Concrete Products Co. with an initial investment of only $300.00.
In 1950, the brothers expanded their product line to include natural building stone, plumbing, masonry and landscaping supplies, as well as tools and hardware, changing the name to Bourget Bros. Building Materials. In 1964, Henry retired and sold his interest to younger brothers Leonard and John and brother-in-law Roy Kinslow.
In 1984, the brothers purchased Coast Flagstone Co. in West Los Angeles which they renamed Bourget Flagstone Co. and moved to their other operations in Santa Monica. Through the uniqueness of its design as a showcase establishment, the company ushered in a renewed interest in natural stone throughout Southern California.
The museum was so appreciative of the Bourget Bros.’s contribution that it created a special plaque thanking them. That plaque is now on permanent display at the museum entry.
“My late husband and museum co-founder, Bob Gabriel, and I have known the Bourget family for many years and have maintained a mutual friendship and respect for one another,” said Louise Gabriel. “We have shared a deep interest in the community and have devoted much time and effort to help preserve its history and culture for generations to come. Bourget Bros. Building Materials has been tremendously supportive in providing all of the stone work and installation throughout the museum, and we greatly appreciate it.”
Bourget Bros. Building Supply is located at: 1636 11th Street, 310.450.6556.
The Santa Monica History Museum is located at: 1350 7th Street (east side of the Public Library), 310.395.2290.
Contact: Bill Krenn
310-506-6589
bill.krenn@pepperdine.edu