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SOHO President's Message
By David W. Goldberg
May/June 2020
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I hope this column finds you safe, in good health, and in good spirits. We are living through unprecedented times, the likes of which none of us have ever experienced. Probably the closest historical event to what we are currently going through is the flu pandemic of 1918, but even that may not be a particularly good reference point. That pandemic occurred over a century ago, very few people remember it, and—at least in my experience—it was never much talked about by those who lived through it.
There is light at the end of the tunnel. We will adapt to these challenging times, a vaccine will be developed for the COVID-19 virus, and we will come out of this stronger, albeit somewhat bruised. If ever there was a time to take expert advice from the medical and scientific communities, now is the time.
Fortunately, SOHO, is well positioned to weather the COVID-19 pandemic, even under the most pessimistic scenarios. Management is seasoned and experienced. SOHO has not had the turnover of senior staff that other organizations have, and, as a result, has continuity and institutional knowledge to draw upon that dates back decades. Tough choices, however, have had to be made. All sites have been temporarily closed, adversely impacting our educational mission and revenue streams. Most painful and difficult of all have been staff reductions, a direct consequence of reduced operations.
This isn't the first crisis to test the organization. The attacks on 9/11/2001 and its aftermath, the wildfires of 2007, the Great Recession of 2008, and the 10-year battle to save the historic core of Balboa Park each took a toll, but SOHO got through them all and continued to flourish.
Preservationists have a keen sense of history and with this an understanding that change can be sudden and unexpected. In other words, you never know when a rainy day will come so you'd better be prepared. Careful cash management through the years has allowed SOHO to build a strong balance sheet, which is critical in the times the road gets bumpy.
As we navigate the challenges placed on us by the COVID-19 pandemic and the uncertainty it brings, how do we maintain a sense of stability and calm—especially when we're sheltering in place? I find it helpful to remember that once this ordeal has passed, I'll again be able to visit favorite historic buildings, neighborhoods, and cultural sites. Knowing that they'll still be there—at least until the next preservation battle—is both hopeful and comforting.
Although sheltering in place can lead to cabin fever, much good can come out of being left alone. This is especially true if you live in an older home where there is always something that needs to be done. This can be an opportunity to learn how to repair a stuck double-hung window, replace a cracked pane of glass (ideally with period wavy glass), or clean and lubricate a mortise lock that hasn't worked smoothly in years. A great deal of self-satisfaction (and control) comes out of just fixing something.
On a happy note, this is the issue where we typically celebrate the PIP winners. This wonderful, nearly four-decade-old tradition gives us the opportunity to honor and salute the preservation triumphs of the past year and the individuals behind them. Since it has been necessary to cancel the physical event due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the winners will be announced on the day the PIP awards were to be given, May 21, 2020.
See you around our beautiful and historic San Diego—after we get to the other side!
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