The Helga Wallner Collection at the Wrighwood Historical Museum

[GRAHAM_RANCH]

[Chuck]

We knew Helga well and she was one interesting good hearted person.  I believe she told us her husband was a general in the German army (one of the good guys that helped us).  Her time was way too short, she had so much she wanted to do.  I envied her darkroom before Digital came around. 

[RobertW]

Helga was active in other areas around town as well.  In 1995 the Grassy Hollow Visitor's Center was closed due to lack of staffing and funds. 

"A group of interested local Wrightwood residents led by Helga Wallner organized under the name Wrightwood Volunteers, and with permission from the Forest Service, opened the Visitor Center in 1996.  In 1999 in deference to the many volunteers from other communities, Wrightwood was dropped and the name was changed to Volunteers of the Angeles National Forest."  [Grassy Hollow Visitor's Center website]

[Nolena]

Helga was a very active and vital participant in the community of Wrightwood.
She was an awesome hiker, and a great dog lover. 
She was a wonderful artist, and loved the wilderness around Wrightwood very much.
She was an awesome powerhouse. I miss her.
She left a wonderful legacy.

[GRAHAM_RANCH]

On the first day of the Helga Wallner Collection sale, the Historical Museum  did well, even though the numbers of museum visitors were down...which is normal after a big weekend like Labor Day. As we visited with some that knew Helga, we learned that her collection in the Four Seasons Gallery was a big contribution. However, it was local artist Dillie Thomas who created and opened the Gallery. Over the years, local and wide known artists flocked to it...and share their art with the rest of us.