Port of Long Beach officials promise that its old administration building will not be torn down until a mural depicting a timeline of Long Beach is relocated.

But historical preservationists in Long Beach aim to get more involved to ensure that the mural is preserved in a public place. So far, they lack funding and support in finding an alternative location for the painting, which highlights Long Beach history from the discovery of San Pedro to the industrial year of 1959, said Louise Ivers, author and professor at Cal State Dominguez Hills.

Ivers and others are organizing a gathering to inform the public of the mural’s history and importance on Saturday.

“The public should still have access to it,” Ivers said of the mural.

Two local groups are involved in the effort, The Historical Society of Long Beach and Long Beach Heritage.

The mural is believed to have been designed by the Port Administration Building architect Warren Dedrick, and painted at the Gladding, McBean workshop 58 years ago.

Port officials said they are working with the preservationist groups to relocate and preserve the mural, saying the building will not be destroyed until that is accomplished.

So far a date has not been scheduled for the demolition to occur, according to Lee Peterson, spokesman for the port.

Saturday’s event is scheduled for 3 p.m. at The Historical Society of Long Beach gallery, 4260 Atlantic Blvd.

The event will feature guest speakers, including Ivers, who will review the mural’s history and share with attendees original renderings of the mural. It also will address the organization’s current efforts to preserve the mural.

Other speakers include George and Carmela Cunningham, co-authors of “Port Town: How the People of Long Beach Built, Defended, and Profited from Their Harbor.”

The event is free, but a donation of $5 is encouraged.

Seating is limited. To make a reservation, call 562-493-7019 or email preservation@LBHeritage.org

For more information on Long Beach Heritage, visit lbheritage.org. For more information on The Historical Society of Long Beach, visit hslb.org.

Stephanie Stutzman is a reporter for Gazette Newspapers. She can be reached at sstutzman@gazettes.com.