Descanso Gardens is exploring a difficult but important moment in U.S. history as it looks at wartime xenophobia and honors the stories of more than 2,000 Japanese, German and Italian detainees with a new weekend exhibition.
The Gardens partnered with the Tuna Canyon Detention Station Coalition to open an exhibit dubbed “Only the Oaks Remain.” It runs March 7-9 and features photos and personal accounts of people who were interned at the Tuna Canyon Detention Station in Los Angeles during World War II.
Although the barbed wire fences, guard posts and barracks are gone, the Detention Station, which is located about five miles from the gardens, was a key component of this tragic period that started with Executive Order 9066. The order authorized the removal and confinement of people labeled as enemy aliens.
“I think it’s going to make people feel reflective, maybe even sad. Personally it makes me think a lot about how we treat people, and about the fear of people who seem like they are different,” said Lina Swislocki, director of Education & Public Programs for Descanso.
The exhibition will include items such as identification cards, personal belongings, letters and government documents as well as historical photographs that illustrate life at the detention center, which was originally a Civilian Conservation Corps camp repurposed by the U.S. government to hold detainees.
On March 8 from 3 to 5 p.m., descendants of people who were imprisoned will be speaking about their family’s experiences.
“They will be speaking about their grandparents’ experience and making a real personal connection to this history. It’s not ancient history, it’s pretty recent,” Swislocki said.
Center officials hope the public not only reflect on what happened but also walk away with realizing the true impact of those historical events.
“Through its thoughtful curation, the Tuna Canyon Detention Station Exhibit serves as both a memorial to those unjustly detained and an educational tool,” said Juliann Rooke, CEO of Descanso Gardens, in a statement.
“It highlights the broader implications of wartime xenophobia, not only emphasizing the resilience of those affected but also challenging visitors to consider the importance of protecting civil rights in the present,” she continued.
The exhibit will be held at Descanso’s Japanese Garden and is included with the price of admission to the venue.
Tuna Canyon Detention Station Exhibit
When: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. March 7-9
Where: Descanso Gardens, 1418 Descanso Drive, La Cañada Flintridge
Cost: Park entry is $15 for adults, $111 for seniors and students with ID, $5 for children ages 5-2
Information: 818-949-4200 or descansogardens.org.