Autry Museum

Re “Designing Without a Blueprint” and “L.A.’s Architectural Lemons?” Jan. 11:

I was very disappointed to see The Times publish the Orange and Lemon Awards for the best and worst architecture in Los Angeles, because the Gene Autry Western Heritage Museum building in 1988 was tagged with a Lemon Award. When I attempted to contact the sponsors of the award, I discovered that the Orange and Lemon Awards Program lasted only two years and was terminated in 1988. The program obviously lacked something. I believe it lacked good judgment.

The Autry Museum won the Los Angeles Business Counsel’s New Public Projects Award in 1989, and the Blue Ribbon Award of Merit from the Society of American Registered Architects in 1991. It’s a shame The Times chose to publish a short-lived obscure Lemon Award and failed to note the positive awards won by the Autry Museum building.

Forget about the awards, it’s the people who count and the people love the Autry Museum and its building. If you have any doubt, visit the museum at 4700 Western Heritage Way, next to the L.A. Zoo in Griffith Park.

EDWIN K. MARZEC, President

Gene Autry Western Heritage

Museum, Advisory Counsel