The Bunny Museum in Altadena, California, known for its vast collection of rabbit-related items, is determined to rebuild after the devastating Eaton Fire destroyed over 60,000 pieces. The museum’s founders, Steve Lubanski and Candace Frazee, are committed to restoring the beloved institution on Lake Avenue, where only the front gray wall remains. Lubanski is using this wall to display surviving items, signaling the museum’s intended return.
The fire, which occurred in January, left the couple scrambling to save their most cherished items, including live bunnies and a few personal keepsakes. Despite the loss, they remain optimistic about the future. “It’s not structural anymore,” Lubanski told LAist about the remaining wall. “But I want to leave it up as an homage to the previous building.”
The museum, which began as a personal collection of bunny-themed gifts between Lubanski and Frazee, had grown into a world-renowned attraction. It was recognized by the Guinness World Records, The Smithsonian, and the Los Angeles Almanac for its extensive collection. The couple’s unique displays included everything from bunny ornaments to real, live rabbits.
As they plan to reopen in about three years, Lubanski and Frazee are focused on rebuilding with fire-resistant materials and removing vegetation around the site to prevent future disasters. They also plan to dedicate a section of the museum to the fire, ensuring that the memory of what happened is preserved.
Community support has been overwhelming, with donations pouring in to help the museum rise from the ashes. “The love has been incredible,” Frazee told the Los Angeles Times. “We’ll come up to the debris and in the morning find a toy bunny sitting right there in the driveway.”
The couple hopes to have a soft opening once the new building is complete, allowing supporters and the public to experience the new space before fully launching their exhibitions.
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