A COMMUNITY'S MISSION
to preserve Altadena's history
150+ fireplaces rescued. 500+ boxes of historic tiles saved.
HELP SAVE HISTORY
After the Eaton Canyon fire, volunteers raced to rescue 100 year old historic fireplace tiles from destroyed homes before demolition crews arrived and history was lost forever. We managed to rescue 150+ fireplace surrounds.
The emergency rescue is complete, but the work is far from over. Every tile must now be cataloged, remediated, and stored safely until homeowners are ready to rebuild. Our team is working with preservation experts and conservation partners to ensure these historic pieces can return to their homes for the next century.
Your donation helps support:
• Tile remediation and conservation
• Archival cataloging and documentation
• Safe storage and transport
• Partnerships with preservation organizations
• Returning tiles to homeowners during rebuilding
These tiles are more than architectural details. They are pieces of memory, craftsmanship, and identity for families who lost their homes.
Help us bring these tiles home again.
BUILT BY VOLUNTEERS.
TRUSTED BY HOMEOWNERS.
Empower
Growth
Save the Tiles exists because of the extraordinary efforts of community volunteers who showed up with tools, trucks, and determination to rescue Altadena’s historic fireplaces.
We are especially grateful to the homeowners who trusted us to care for these irreplaceable pieces of their homes during such a difficult time.
Together, we are preserving not just tiles — but the story of Altadena itself.
OUR COMMUNITY IMPACT
150+ Historic Fireplace Surrounds Rescued
500+ Boxes of Historic Tiles Carefully Cataloged & Stored
100+ Volunteers Who Helped Rescue, Package & Transport
100+ Years of Altadena Architectural History Preserved
OUR TIMELINE
Empower
Growth
Phase One: Rescue & Relocation ✔️ COMPLETED
In the immediate aftermath of the fire, volunteers raced against time to remove and save historic fireplace tiles before demolition crews could clear the sites. More than 150 fireplace surrounds were successfully rescued. This was a massive volunteer effort that got a lot of coverage. You can read more about this phase on our Press page.
In a second major effort over the course of several weekends, volunteers reboxed and relocated over 500 boxes of tiles to a new secure facility in Downtown Los Angeles, safeguarding them for the next phase of this project.
Phase Two: Cataloging & Remediation
Now that the tiles have been rescued, our focus shifts to the long process of cataloging and remediating the tiles.
Rebuild Planning with Homeowners
We are working closely with homeowners to understand rebuilding timelines, intentions for their tiles, and future plans. This input helps us prioritize conservation, plan for remediation, and ensure each set of tiles can be returned at the right time, in the right way.
Documentation and Cataloging
We are developing a custom inventory system designed specifically for this unique project, prioritizing the cataloging and reconciliation of tiles following Phase One and the transfer of the collection to our new Downtown Los Angeles location.
Remediation
We are offering free remediation and mortar removal services. Remediation means detoxifying the tiles and removing harmful chemicals and mortar bulk. However, remediation is not conservation, which means restoring the tiles to their original state. (See Phase 3) Each tile will be cleaned and stabilized to ensure it can be safely reinstalled.
Conservation Partnerships
We are working with conservation experts, preservation organizations, and historians to protect these artifacts and document Altadena’s architectural heritage.
Empower
Growth
Phase Three: Conservation
Conservation involves restoring tiles to their original condition and is a detailed, labor-intensive, and often costly process. This step takes place after remediation and mortar removal are complete.
We will work closely with homeowners on a case-by-case basis to determine the best path forward, often in coordination with insurance providers. While we are not currently able to offer conservation at no cost, we are actively exploring ways to make this support more accessible in the future.
Phase Four: Returning Tiles Home
As families rebuild, we will work directly with homeowners and builders to return each set of tiles to its original home. From coordination and transport to installation support, our goal is to ensure these historic tiles once again become part of the homes they came from. We do not have plans to offer installation services, but we’re happy to offer recommendations to fantastic local masons!
