|
Executive Director's Message
By Bruce Coons
May/June 2020
 Derby-Pendleton, c 1850. SOHO offices. Photo by Bruce Coons |
On March 13, 2020, along with arts and culture organizations across the nation, SOHO made the decision to close our historic sites and cancel programming and events out of concern for the health and safety of our staff, visitors, and communities due to the coronavirus (COVID-19). Today we have some additional information to share about how SOHO is responding, and how our members and visitors can stay engaged with us during this time.
All administrative and operations staff are currently working remotely and remain available by phone, email, and video conferencing, continuing our essential work to monitor and save San Diego's historic places and to serve as a resource for preservationists, and old house and building owners.
SOHO will surely face difficult decisions as this all unfolds, but we are unwavering in our committment to this great organization and to continue our mission to protect and preserve San Diego County's historic places. We are constantly evaluating this complex situation and will continue to provide updates.
We know your world has been impacted too, and we are sending our best thoughts to everyone in San Diego, and around the world during these extraordinarily unusual and historic times. We hope that even while our historic sites and parks are temporarily closed, we can provide some measure of comfort through the beauty and wonder of San Diego's shared cultural heritage.
You are encouraged to explore our website, which is 3,000 pages deep in content and features. Among the topics are 50 years of SOHO's architectural tours, and the newly added virtual exhibit Irving Gill: Progress & Poetry in Architecture. We will be rolling out more digital works in the coming weeks and months as well. We want to make sure that when you visit our website we can serve as a resource for information, inspiration, and community connection.
Our staff has risen to these challenges in so many ways. We take pride in their service during this crisis, providing crucial operational support, developing digital programming, and more. They are our greatest asset, and SOHO gratefully acknowledges their contributions, along with those of our members, friends, and supporters.
In 2019, SOHO celebrated its 50th anniversary as California's oldest continually operating historic preservation organization and our 10th anniversary as stewards of the Marston House. This year we are celebrating our 20th anniversary as the stewards of the Whaley House, working with our partners, the County of San Diego.
Our historic environment plays such a vital role in our daily lives and in times like these, support is even more critical. The cost of our museum closures will be significant. If you are able, please consider making a gift to help sustain SOHO and our museums during this unsettling time. Click HERE.
Together we are sharing this moment in history. We ask you to stay connected with us as we look to the future, whatever that will be. Sign up for our eNewsletter below, and follow us on our social media channel. Thank you for standing with SOHO.
|
2024
2023
2022
2021
2020
2019
2018
2017
2016
2015
|
