Marilyn Monroe’s Cultural Momument

Marilyn Monroe’s home in the Brentwood neighborhood of Los Angeles has been granted historic cultural monument status by the city council after a year-long effort to save it from demolition. Councilmember Traci Park said before the vote that “to lose this piece of history, the only home that Monroe ever owned, would be a devastating blow for historic preservation and for a city where less than 3% of historic designations are associated with women’s heritage.” The current owners argued that the home had been extensively renovated and no longer resembled Monroe’s residence. They also accused the city of using illegal tactics and questioned the historical relevance of the property. Despite the ongoing disagreements, the home’s historical value to Hollywood and Monroe’s legacy were key points in the battle to protect the iconic property from destruction.