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A Spoonful of Sugar Turns a Lemon into Lemonade
By Robin Lakin
August/July 2020
While our historic sites have been closed due to Covid-19, SOHO has turned this unexpected and historic event, into an opportunity, determined to make lemonade out of one of the biggest lemons of this century. Our curatorial and facilities crews have not been idle: starting with a review of work to be done and repairs to be made, we are making real headway. And oh, how sweet that lemonade will be when we are able to reopen our museum doors to share San Diego's rich history with the public once more!
The Whaley House underwent a spring cleaning that Anna Whaley would firmly approve. With all the coverings removed, the windows were washed and framed in some rooms by freshly laundered Nottingham lace curtains. Scalamandre silk damask period style parlor drapes, installed in 1960, have done their job well, lasting through six decades. But the filtered sunlight had taken its toll, significantly deteriorating portions of the drapes and their linings. They have been meticulously mended to hold up until we can replace them with new silk reproductions.
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Left The beautiful damask rose (Rosa x damascena) in the Whaley House gardens is also known as the rose of Castile. Right This lovely Chinese lantern plant (Abutilon) in the Whaley House gardens is a popular subject of visitors' photos. |
We've carefully vacuumed textiles throughout the museum, aired out mattresses and coated the lean-to kitchen's walls with a fresh coat of interior white-wash. The theater has new velvet drape panels, replacing badly worn ones. The golden oak faux-graining on the woodwork throughout the museum needed a good deal of touching up, and, with that demanding task accomplished, the museum looks as fresh as it did when the Whaleys first moved in.
Behind the Santa Ysabel Store, our long planned native garden area is underway with the help of landscape architect and longtime Warner Springs historian Kathryn Fletcher, and we're very excited to see this coming to fruition! Kathryn has also been instrumental in keeping the Warner-Carrillo Ranch House and grounds clean and in order, the weeds tackled, and the critters at bay.
For the Marston House, our exhibit team has created a marvelous digital exhibit on the Marston family, one that we're especially excited about. It virtually expands the physical exhibit that is on view throughout the house. Read about this enhanced digital resource HERE. The gardens are getting much needed attention, the rose garden in particular. As Balboa Park begins its reopening, we expect lots of walkers and bird watchers will explore our vibrant gardens—the perfect place to enjoy a proverbial ice-cold pitcher of lemonade!
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Left The yesterday-today-and-tomorrow (Brunfelsia spp.) looks fantastic alongside the Verna House. Its flowers bloom purple, then fade to lavender and then white. Right In the Victorian era, yellow roses symbolized jealousy and infidelity. Today they represent friendship, joy, and caring. These yellow Lady Banks, (Rosa banksiae) were favorites of San Diego 19th century gardens. Photos by Dean Glass |
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