The Joshua Tree Retreat Center has been listed in the National Register of Historic Places as a historic district. Covering 152 acres in Joshua Tree, the retreat center, also known as the Institute of Mentalphysics, was formally recognized as a historic place on January 17. The recognition affords the center, which includes a number of buildings, residences, outdoor scultpures, and even a restaurant, a number of federal and state protections. Many of the structures that make up the Joshua Tree Retreat Center are designed by notable architects, including 11 structures by Frank Lloyd Wright Jr. The designation as a Historical District ensures that the property and its structures cannot be demoished or redeveloped without a thorough environmental review. The historical designation also recognizes the cultural significance of the development.
The retreat center was originally envisioned as city dedicated to the alternative spiritual movement called “Mentalphysics,” as founded by Edwin John Dingle, later known as Ding Le Mei.
The Joshua Tree Retreat Center is a non-profit operation, and provides space and opportunities for local artists, businesses, and programs, in addition to offering opportunities for those visiting the desert. As a result of its historical designation status, the property may use the more flexible “State Historical Building Code” to restore the numerous onsite works that Dingle oversaw. JTRC plans to launch a capital campaign to restore and protect its unique structures.
