Join us to be inspired by motion picture colorist Steven J. Scott’s fascinating story of architectural discovery! Steve will regale you in mesmerizing detail with how he unraveled the mystery of “Morada La Estrella,” the Old Las Palmas neighborhood home he shares with his husband Bob, by finding a clue hidden in plain sight for almost a century, ultimately identifying the home as a significant architectural design by William Charles Tanner (1876-1960).

Tanner, also renowned as an artist and journalist, was one of the most significant architects of Palm Springs’ early built environment. Unfortunately, until recently, little scholarly attention has been paid to this remarkable, multi-talented, Renaissance man. His first known Palm Springs design, the Spanish Colonial-styled “Desert Inn” resort complex (1922-1924), became internationally famous and was hailed for its beauty and artistry. He followed that architectural masterpiece with a series of artful local homes that included the famed “Ojo Del Desierto” for oilman Thomas O’Donnell; “Invernada” for capitalist George Heigho; and the hitherto forgotten “Morada La Estrella” for prominent Indiana couple John C. & Estella F. Snyder.

PSPF will host a tour of the historic “Morada La Estrella” (1932) on Sunday, October 18, 2026.

The Palm Springs Preservation Foundation is a non-profit organization whose mission is “to educate and promote public awareness of the importance of preserving the historical resources and architecture of the city of Palm Springs and the Coachella Valley area.” PSPF offers free membership as a public benefit. To learn more about the work of the foundation, see www.pspreservationfoundation.org