SF Heritage staff has had a busy early September out and about in the community! Here is a recap of a few in-person events:
Heritage in the Haight walking tour
On Saturday, September 3, SF Heritage’s Museum and Tour Manager Pam Larson led an in-person architectural tour of the Haight-Ashbury’s magnificent Queen Anne residences in conjunction with our Heritage in the Neighborhoods: Haight-Ashbury program. This at-capacity tour covered the neighborhood’s early homes, most of which were constructed in the 1890s and early 1900s during its growth as a middle-class enclave. Highlights included the former homes of musicians Janis Joplin and the Grateful Dead, and early 1880s homes built by pioneer Ashbury Heights developer Mary Fritz. Find a self-guided version of the tour here.
Annual Meeting at the Hobart Building
On Thursday, September 8, we hosted members and supporters for our Annual Meeting at the Variety Preview Room in the historic Hobart Building (625 Market Street). All staff participated and shared the organization’s latest activities in advocacy, programs, and advancement, and gave participants an insight into our recently-adopted Strategic Plan for 2022-2024.
Attendees of our meeting were also treated to a special behind-the-scenes tour of the Hobart Building, a classical revival masterpiece designed by architect Willis Polk in 1914. Built in just eleven months in the years following the 1906 earthquake, the building retains its original sculpted terra-cotta facade and handcrafted brass and Italian marble interior.
The firm Garavaglia Architecture generously opened their offices on the building’s 18th floor to the group for a peek at their work and stunning views, and we capped the tour with special access to the 21st floor penthouse suite, featuring original building plans, photographs, and artifacts.
Sunset District Autumn Moon Festival
On Saturday, September 10, we joined our partners at the Sunset Chinese Cultural District (SCCD) to celebrate the Autumn Moon Festival. Festivities took place in the parking lot at 2550 Irving Street, and included children’s storytelling and lantern decorating, lion dancers, local vendors, and the Chinese in the Sunset pop-up exhibition. We loved being in community with SCCD stewards Wah Mei School, as well as those from SF Planning’s Office of Racial and Social Equity, NEMS, People of Parkside Sunset, and others.
History Fair at Camron-Stanford House
Our staff also participated in the History Fair at Camron-Stanford House on Saturday, September 10, to share information about SF Heritage and our historic property the Haas-Lilienthal House. This fun event featured over 20 local history museums and organizations, and visitors were able to view sample exhibits and engage in fun activities. Over at our table, visitors had fun sampling sarsaparilla, a soft drink similar to root beer that during the Victorian era was thought to have healing properties.
