On January 22, we ventured up to Beverly Hills for lunch and a fascinating visit of the Robinson Estate; the first luxury estate built in Beverly Hills. The property contains multiple gardens, the main house, and a pool pavilion.
The estate was built in 1911 and became well known for entertaining some of the most opulent celebrity parties in Los Angeles. Notable stars included Charlie Chaplin (whom Virginia played her last tennis game with at age 85), Mae West, Marlene Dietrich, Ginger Rogers and Fred Astaire, just to mention a few.
Among the many events, Virginia hosted was the Hollywood Bowl Patronesses Benefit. Every year, after the opening of the Hollywood Bowl season, the orchestra would replicate their concert on the estate’s Great Lawn.
Virginia Robinson died just two months shy of her 100th birthday and 45 years after the death of her husband, Joseph Winchester Robinson, who was chairman of the J.W. Robinson’s retail stores.
