For the first time in decades, the “Hollywood in Miniature” display, the brainchild of Joe Pellkofer, owner of the Hollywood Cabinet Company, has been removed from storage.

The Hollywood Heritage’s miniature diorama recreates street scenes in Hollywood in the 1930s. (photo courtesy of Nerissa Silao)

To keep his master craftsmen busy during slow periods in the late 1930s, Pellkofer had them recreate detailed street scenes of Hollywood with its landmark theaters, churches, billboards, businesses and neighborhoods. Surrounding the entire city is a painted cyclorama mural of the Hollywood Hills and nearby areas. Additionally, there is a miniature of Paramount Studios as it looked circa 1937-38.

Hollywood Heritage is in the process of cleaning and restoring the Hollywood miniatures, so currently the display is a work-in-progress. Eventually, once restored, it will be open to the public. However, those who book the Old Hollywood Walking Tour may get a preview of the miniature display.

The miniatures are hand-made, constructed of wood, paper, plastic and plaster with faux finishes depicting wood, brick, ceramic tiles and plaster. They’ve been in storage for over two decades and will return to Hollywood Boulevard, where they were last on display at the former Hollywood Entertainment Museum.

Donna Williams, a board member with Hollywood Heritage and a sculpture and architectural materials conservator, is in the process of cleaning and restoring “Hollywood in Miniature.” The display is housed in Hollywood Heritage’s De Longpre Annex, a storefront that was donated by Robertson Properties Group in a deal brokered by the Hollywood Property Owners Alliance.

For information, visit onlyinhollywood.org