PSPF board vice president Steven Keylon, an architectural historian and author of The Design of Herbert W. Burns, will present an informative and entertaining overview of Burns’ life and career. Burns’ fascinating life and multiple talents (from his early years as a lighting designer/fabricator, to stockbroker, to contractor, and finally to architectural designer) have earned him Keylon’s informal nickname “The Charismatic Chameleon.” Steven is past president of the California Garden and Landscape History Society, and is the editor of their journal, Eden; a member of the Stewardship Council of The Cultural Landscape Foundation; and a board member of Docomomo US/SoCal. He is also author of The Modern Architecture of Hugh Michael Kaptur and co-author of Tom O’Donnell: Generous Spirit of Palm Springs.

PSPF will host a tour of three custom midcentury Herbert Burns-designed homes on Saturday, October 18, 2025.

The Palm Springs Preservation Foundation is a non-profit organization whose mission is “to educate and promote public awareness of the importance of preserving the historical resources and architecture of the city of Palm Springs and the Coachella Valley area.” PSPF offers free membership as a public benefit. To learn more about the work of the foundation see www.pspreservationfoundation.org.