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SOHO President's Message
By David W. Goldberg
November/December 2019
 David Goldberg, age 2, finding joy in the Craftsman cottage funded by Ellen Browning Scripps that his family rented for $44 a month in La Jolla in 1955. Photo by Edward D. Goldberg |
It's hard to believe that 2019—SOHO's 50th anniversary year and my first year as president—is nearly over. And what a year it's been!
SOHO's evolution from a small group of dedicated individuals focused on saving threatened Victorian era buildings to one of the preeminent preservation organizations in the country is growth of a magnitude nobody could have foreseen. It's taken the hard work, talents, resources, fortitude, and courage of a lot of people to get us to where we are today. And to keep things running smoothly we can thank a committed membership and the dedication and hard work of 23 staffers, which include our directors and administrative staff, museum and historic sites staff, and over 20 regular volunteers and board members who give so much of themselves.
The San Diego region is a better and more beautiful place to live and work because of SOHO's effectiveness in preserving its architectural heritage. We can all be grateful for this. I certainly am.
Another milestone SOHO achieved in 2019 is a decade of operating the Marston House Museum. When SOHO took over operations in 2009, the home was vacant and closed to the public. Bluntly put, the Marston House was not in a good place. Running a house museum takes specialized knowledge and expertise that few organizations possess. In addition, since the costs of running a house museum typically exceed revenues generated by admission fees, it's essential that the operator have the resources and fundraising ability to make up the difference.
Managing, interpreting, and preserving the Marston House Museum falls squarely within SOHO's mission. Fortunately, SOHO has the institutional knowledge and financial wherewithal required. In all likelihood, SOHO is the only organization in town that does! As a city, we can never repay George W. Marston and family for their generosity and many gifts over the decades. SOHO's operation and financial support of the Marston House is one of the ways we give back to the community. If you haven't been to the Marston House recently, it is well worth a visit. Enjoy the house and gardens, and be sure to see the permanent exhibit The Marson Legacy: Progress and Preservation. This is time well spent.
At the other end of the spectrum from the magnificent Marston House are modest Craftsman bungalows and cottages. The one I'm happily standing in front of in the snapshot accompanying this column is 30 Discovery Way on the Scripps Institution of Oceanography (SIO) campus. This photo was taken by my father in November 1955 when I was two. Number 30 is one of a group of cottages built around 1915 and paid for by Ellen Browning Scripps to house SIO faculty and staff. At that time, SIO was literally in the middle of nowhere. With poor roads, no rail or trolley service, and few automobiles, the institution needed to provide housing.
Even though I had no concept of the Arts and Crafts movement at that tender age, I always liked the honest simplicity of these houses. And there was much to like. Number 30 was (and fortunately still is!) situated on top of a bluff overlooking the Pacific Ocean, truly one of the most beautiful spots on the planet. There was also much for my parents to like. Tenants were charged a modest $2 a month for water to encourage upkeep of the grounds (note the lush lawn in the photo). Rent was a reasonable $44 a month, much less than the $100+ monthly rent charged for equivalent housing in the nearby La Jolla village. Yikes! La Jolla was a pricey place even then.
There is much more that I can say but I'm sure you get the picture. This is part of my story. I look forward to hearing your stories and how historic buildings, architecture, and landscapes have positively impacted your lives.
See you around our beautiful and historic San Diego! Happy Holidays, everyone!
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