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 SOHO presents the Marston Legacy: Progress and Preservation the permanent exhibit about the forward-thinking and lasting contributions of one of the region's leading families in their handsome former home, the 1905 Marston House Museum in Balboa Park.
Marston's department store founder, visionary civic leader, and philanthropist George W. Marston set a high bar for the city and his progressive family as he reached for the greater good, helping to create major parks and open space, the public library, and the San Diego YMCA, among other treasured public assets that we take for granted today. After arriving in San Diego by ship in 1870 to offer seven decades of public service, Marston advocated for growth that complemented the region's rich natural environment.
Marston had the foresight to commission restoration of the crumbling San Diego Mission de Alcalá, preserve the nationally significant Spanish Presidio with Presidio Park, and support Balboa Park's transformation from barren mesas to a lushly landscaped, floral oasis that hosted two successful international expositions he assisted in guiding. At the time of his death at age 95 in 1946, Marston had led and/or financially supported no less than 140 organizations that advanced San Diego's social, cultural, educational, and commercial life.
The exhibit unfolds against the furnished, domestic backdrop of one of California's finest examples of Arts and Crafts architecture, and also highlights the accomplishments of his wife, Anna Gunn Marston, their children, and grandchildren. The impact of this socially and politically engaged family resonates to this day with fellow citizens concerned about the future of historic Balboa Park and other significant public landmarks, schools and universities, social and economic opportunities, immigration, and preserving what's historically authentic about San Diego.
The Marston Women
A teacher and a daughter of a Quaker abolitionist, Anna Marston may have influenced and certainly shared George's support for women's and minorities' rights. The mother of four activist daughters and a son who assumed management of Marston's department store, Anna also ran a high-profile household. Supporting the Women's Home Association, the leading benevolent society of her day, was among Anna's charitable activities.
Youngest child Helen founded the San Diego chapter of the Women's International League for Peace and Freedom in 1923 and the local chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union in 1933. She traveled to the Imperial Valley and Selma, Alabama in support of farmworkers' and black voters' rights, respectively. She and sister Mary helped found and actively operate Barrio Logan's Neighborhood House, which still serves San Diego's Latino community. Mary fostered Laura Gallo for some years. Laura Gallo Rodriguez became a great activist and voice for Chicanos.
In addition to tackling social issues, Mary G. Marston was involved in her father's civic activities, Elizabeth Le Breton Marston Badè was an active member of the Sierra Club, and married William Frederic Badè, Sierra Club president and John Muir's biographer. She accompanied him on archeological expeditions to Palestine and the Middle East, and completed his archeological studies after his death. And, Harriet Marston Headley was a member of the American Association of University Women, the League of Women Voters, and active in the San Diego chapter of the United Nations Association.
Promoting Design Excellence
In addition to addressing social concerns, George actively set out to ensure San Diego's built environment was worthy of its natural setting and his own growing sophistication, fed by trips to New York and San Francisco. He hired the City of New York's landscape designer Samuel Parsons to prepare Balboa Park's first comprehensive plan, and twice brought the renowned Chicago-based planner John Nolen to town to envision a civic center linked to San Diego Bay. Nolen's proposed new city hall, which became the County Administration Building, was George Marston's last realized architectural project—approved when he was 83.
Grandson, Hamilton Marston, who succeeded his father Arthur in running Marston's store, inherited George's city planning fervor and was another strong protector of Balboa Park. In 1974, he commissioned the still influential planning study of San Diego called Temporary Paradise? and made sure it was published in English and Spanish for wider public discussion.
Marston's Department Store
For 86 years, Marston's was one of Southern California's finest emporiums and a genteel social hub for all ages. During the early 20th century, it was the region's exclusive source of Gustav Stickley's prestigious Arts & Crafts oak furniture, some of which went home with George. With the building of the fifth store in 1912, the store soon grew to 500 employees, in a progressive environment where women held senior positions and salaries provided a living wage. Doorman Charles Walker was a popular downtown "ambassador" for decades.
Hamilton added the popular Tea Room, which is still remembered by the ladies and their companions who lunched, and indulged in Marston's legendary fresh coconut cream pies. Shoppers and the curious roamed the store in springtime when vivid lilacs trucked in from the backcountry perfumed the main floor. The exhibit evokes all this and more, with choice examples of merchandise curated by SOHO on display.
Preserving the Marston Legacy
Mary Marston gave the Marston House and its historic carriage house and gardens to the City of San Diego to add to Balboa Park upon her death, which occurred in 1974. Today the captivating estate, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, is managed by Save Our Heritage Organisation. For what will be 50 years in 2019, SOHO's own impassioned efforts have paralleled many of those of the Marston family in preserving, promoting and supporting San Diego's significant architectural, cultural and historical links and landmarks, now and for future generations.
Visit the online exhibit Marston Legacy: Progress and Preservation.
Sponsors of The Marston Legacy: Progress & Preservation
SOHO is particularly grateful to our sponsors, who recognize and wish to pay tribute to the remarkable Marston family for their contributions to enhancing San Diego and preserving its essence.
Curator
Nancy Carol Carter, Floit Properties, Johnson & Johnson Architecture
Conservator
Joseph D. Anderson of Pure Financial Advisors, Inc., YMCA of San Diego County
Archivist
Friends of the Marston House, Heart of Kensington, LB Powers & Son Co. Inc., William Van Dusen Millworking, Volunteer Docents of the Marston House
Community Support
Mission Federal Credit Union
Financial support is provided by the City of San Diego Commission for Arts and Culture.
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MARSTON HOUSE MUSEUM & GARDENS
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