Save Our Heritage Organisation
Encyclopedia
Founded in 1969, Save Our Heritage Organisation (SOHO) is a non-profit organization devoted to the preservation of the historic architecture and landmarks around the San Diego, California
area. Currently Save Our Heritage Organisation maintains several historic buildings including the Whaley House and the George W. Marston House
. They are directly partnered with The National Trust for Historic Preservation who have like minded goals.
by Robert Miles Parker. Along with thirty-five other members the organization wrote its constitution
in April of the founding year. The constitution states that, "The general purpose for which this corporation is formed is to purchase, own, move, improve, maintain, repair, display, lease and/or operate, as museums or otherwise, various homes, stores, buildings, and other structures exemplifying different types of architectural styles found in the San Diego
area for the education and benefit of the public."
The first project the organization undertook was the restoration and relocation of the Sherman-Gilbert house, a Stick-Eastlake
Victorian that was set to be demolished. The house was eventually relocated to the Old Town San Diego State Historic Park
area.
In 1970, Save Our Heritage Organisation's Preservation Council was created. This council was instated to notify the organisation of any demolitions or sales of historic buildings going on in the San Diego
area. Around the same time, Save Our Heritage Organisation worked with the Historical Site Board, the A.I.A
(American Institution of Architects) and the San Diego Historical Society to purchase and restore the Villa Montezuma.
In 2009, Save Our Heritage Organisation celebrated it’s 40th year anniversary. This milestone was marked by an award winning hour long documentary titled "Four Decades of Historic Preservation in San Diego County," by San Diego film maker and photographer Dan Soderberg. The film received a California Governor's Award for Historic Preservation. Also in 2009 they added The Marston House
, a 1905, Arts & Crafts movement
home, to their list of museums.
**The Preservation Easement Program provides protection for historical sites façade
San Diego, California
San Diego is the eighth-largest city in the United States and second-largest city in California. The city is located on the coast of the Pacific Ocean in Southern California, immediately adjacent to the Mexican border. The birthplace of California, San Diego is known for its mild year-round...
area. Currently Save Our Heritage Organisation maintains several historic buildings including the Whaley House and the George W. Marston House
George W. Marston House
The George W. Marston House, or George Marston House and Gardens, also referred to as the George and Anna Marston House or the Marston House, is a museum and historic landmark located in San Diego and currently maintained by Save Our Heritage Organisation .- The House :The George W. Marston House...
. They are directly partnered with The National Trust for Historic Preservation who have like minded goals.
Mission statement
"Through education, advocacy, and stewardship SOHO's mission is to preserve, promote and support preservation of the architectural, cultural and historical links and landmarks that contribute to the community identity, depth and character of our region."History
The organization was founded in 1969 in San Diego, CaliforniaSan Diego, California
San Diego is the eighth-largest city in the United States and second-largest city in California. The city is located on the coast of the Pacific Ocean in Southern California, immediately adjacent to the Mexican border. The birthplace of California, San Diego is known for its mild year-round...
by Robert Miles Parker. Along with thirty-five other members the organization wrote its constitution
Constitution
A constitution is a set of fundamental principles or established precedents according to which a state or other organization is governed. These rules together make up, i.e. constitute, what the entity is...
in April of the founding year. The constitution states that, "The general purpose for which this corporation is formed is to purchase, own, move, improve, maintain, repair, display, lease and/or operate, as museums or otherwise, various homes, stores, buildings, and other structures exemplifying different types of architectural styles found in the San Diego
San Diego, California
San Diego is the eighth-largest city in the United States and second-largest city in California. The city is located on the coast of the Pacific Ocean in Southern California, immediately adjacent to the Mexican border. The birthplace of California, San Diego is known for its mild year-round...
area for the education and benefit of the public."
The first project the organization undertook was the restoration and relocation of the Sherman-Gilbert house, a Stick-Eastlake
Stick-Eastlake
The Stick style was a late-19th-century American architectural style. According to McAlester, it served as the transition between the Carpenter Gothic style of the mid-19th century, and the Queen Anne style that it evolved into and superseded it by the 1890s....
Victorian that was set to be demolished. The house was eventually relocated to the Old Town San Diego State Historic Park
Old Town San Diego State Historic Park
Old Town San Diego State Historic Park, located in the Old Town neighborhood of San Diego, California, is a state protected historical park in San Diego. It commemorates the early days of the town of San Diego and includes many historic buildings from the period 1820 to 1870. The park was...
area.
In 1970, Save Our Heritage Organisation's Preservation Council was created. This council was instated to notify the organisation of any demolitions or sales of historic buildings going on in the San Diego
San Diego, California
San Diego is the eighth-largest city in the United States and second-largest city in California. The city is located on the coast of the Pacific Ocean in Southern California, immediately adjacent to the Mexican border. The birthplace of California, San Diego is known for its mild year-round...
area. Around the same time, Save Our Heritage Organisation worked with the Historical Site Board, the A.I.A
American Institute of Architects
The American Institute of Architects is a professional organization for architects in the United States. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., the AIA offers education, government advocacy, community redevelopment, and public outreach to support the architecture profession and improve its public image...
(American Institution of Architects) and the San Diego Historical Society to purchase and restore the Villa Montezuma.
In 2009, Save Our Heritage Organisation celebrated it’s 40th year anniversary. This milestone was marked by an award winning hour long documentary titled "Four Decades of Historic Preservation in San Diego County," by San Diego film maker and photographer Dan Soderberg. The film received a California Governor's Award for Historic Preservation. Also in 2009 they added The Marston House
George W. Marston House
The George W. Marston House, or George Marston House and Gardens, also referred to as the George and Anna Marston House or the Marston House, is a museum and historic landmark located in San Diego and currently maintained by Save Our Heritage Organisation .- The House :The George W. Marston House...
, a 1905, Arts & Crafts movement
Arts and Crafts movement
Arts and Crafts was an international design philosophy that originated in England and flourished between 1860 and 1910 , continuing its influence until the 1930s...
home, to their list of museums.
Historic Buildings Helped by the Organization
- The Sherman-Gilbert House, a Stick-EastlakeStick-EastlakeThe Stick style was a late-19th-century American architectural style. According to McAlester, it served as the transition between the Carpenter Gothic style of the mid-19th century, and the Queen Anne style that it evolved into and superseded it by the 1890s....
Victorian house saved from demolition and relocated to Heritage Park in Old Town San DiegoOld Town San Diego State Historic ParkOld Town San Diego State Historic Park, located in the Old Town neighborhood of San Diego, California, is a state protected historical park in San Diego. It commemorates the early days of the town of San Diego and includes many historic buildings from the period 1820 to 1870. The park was... - Santa Fe Depot, a historic train depot saved from demolition
- The Harfield Timberland Christian House, a Queen AnneQueen Anne"Queen Anne" generally refers to Anne, Queen of Great Britain , Queen of England, Scotland and Ireland from 1702, and of Great Britain from 1707.Queen Anne may also refer to:-Uses relating to Queen Anne of Great Britain:...
Victorian house relocated to Heritage Park in Old Town San DiegoOld Town San Diego State Historic ParkOld Town San Diego State Historic Park, located in the Old Town neighborhood of San Diego, California, is a state protected historical park in San Diego. It commemorates the early days of the town of San Diego and includes many historic buildings from the period 1820 to 1870. The park was... - San Diego Rowing Club building, restored
- Villa Montezuma, restored
- The Burton House, a classic revival Victorian house relocated to Heritage Park in Old Town San DiegoOld Town San Diego State Historic ParkOld Town San Diego State Historic Park, located in the Old Town neighborhood of San Diego, California, is a state protected historical park in San Diego. It commemorates the early days of the town of San Diego and includes many historic buildings from the period 1820 to 1870. The park was...
- The Bushyhead House, a Italianate Victorian house relocated to Heritage Park in Old Town San DiegoOld Town San Diego State Historic ParkOld Town San Diego State Historic Park, located in the Old Town neighborhood of San Diego, California, is a state protected historical park in San Diego. It commemorates the early days of the town of San Diego and includes many historic buildings from the period 1820 to 1870. The park was...
- Granger Music Hall, restored
- Horton Plaza, restored
- Senlis Cottage, a 19th century vernacularVernacular architectureVernacular architecture is a term used to categorize methods of construction which use locally available resources and traditions to address local needs and circumstances. Vernacular architecture tends to evolve over time to reflect the environmental, cultural and historical context in which it...
Victorian house relocated to Heritage Park in Old Town San DiegoOld Town San Diego State Historic ParkOld Town San Diego State Historic Park, located in the Old Town neighborhood of San Diego, California, is a state protected historical park in San Diego. It commemorates the early days of the town of San Diego and includes many historic buildings from the period 1820 to 1870. The park was... - Cliff House, helped by Save Our Heritage Organisation's Preservation Easement Program**
- The Sherman-Judson residence, helped by Save Our Heritage Organisation's Preservation Easement Program**
- The Wisteria Cottage, once John Cole's Bookstore, helped by Save Our Heritage Organisation's Preservation Easement Program**
- The Senator Hotel, helped by Save Our Heritage Organisation's Preservation Easement Program**
- The Callan Hotel, helped by Save Our Heritage Organisation's Preservation Easement Program**
- The Brunswig Drug Company, helped by Save Our Heritage Organisation's Preservation Easement Program**
- The Mission Brewery, helped by Save Our Heritage Organisation's Preservation Easement Program**
- Greg Rogers House, a house in Chula Vista, CaliforniaChula Vista, CaliforniaChula Vista is the second largest city in the San Diego metropolitan area, the seventh largest city in Southern California, the fourteenth largest city in the State of California, and the seventy seventh largest city in the U.S....
saved from demolition and restored - Percival Thompson House, restored
- Green Dragon Colony, restored
- Julia Liffreing House, restored
- The Balboa TheatreBalboa TheatreBalboa Theater is a theater located in downtown San Diego, California, that was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1996. Built in 1924, the Balboa Theater was a grand 1920s movie palace with a seating capacity of 1,600. The theater was converted to housing for the U.S. Navy...
, restored - Egyptian Revival Buildings, helped receive historic designation
- Temple Beth Israel, saved from demolition, currently located in Heritage ParkHeritage Park (San Diego)Heritage Park is a county park of San Diego County, California, located near Old Town San Diego State Historic Park and measuring almost eight acres. It was developed to preserve examples of San Diego's historic Victorian architecture including Italianate, Stick-Eastlake, Queen Anne and classic...
- Warner Ranch, saved from deterioration
- San Diego Veterans war Building, saved
- Canfield-Wright HouseCanfield-Wright HouseThe Canfield-Wright House, known alternatively as Wrightland and The Pink Lady, is a historic structure in Del Mar, California. The private home was placed on the National Register of Historic Places on May 14, 2004....
, saved from demolition - Western Metal Supply Building, a building in Downtown San Diego saved by Save Our Heritage Organisation
- Simon Levi Building, a building in Downtown San Diego saved by Save Our Heritage Organisation
- Levi Wholesale Grocery Co., saved
- Showley Bros Candy Company, a building in Downtown San Diego saved by Save Our Heritage Organisation
- Schiefer & Sons Aeroplane Co., a building in Downtown San Diego saved by Save Our Heritage Organisation
- Station A, a San DiegoSan Diego, CaliforniaSan Diego is the eighth-largest city in the United States and second-largest city in California. The city is located on the coast of the Pacific Ocean in Southern California, immediately adjacent to the Mexican border. The birthplace of California, San Diego is known for its mild year-round...
powerhouse saved by Save Our Heritage Organisation - Carnation Building, a building in Downtown San Diego saved by Save Our Heritage Organisation
- Rosario Hall, a building in Downtown San Diego saved and relocated
- Kidd & Krone Auto Parts Building, a building in Downtown San Diego saved by Save Our Heritage Organisation
- TR Produce Building, a building in Downtown San Diego saved by Save Our Heritage Organisation
- Art Deco Fire Station Building, a building in Downtown San Diego saved by Save Our Heritage Organisation
- Bledsoe Company Furniture Warehouse, a building in Downtown San Diego saved by Save Our Heritage Organisation
- Western Wholesale Drug Company Warehouse, a building in Downtown San Diego saved by Save Our Heritage Organisation
**The Preservation Easement Program provides protection for historical sites façade
Museums and Other Buildings
Save Our Heritage Organisation maintains multiple museums and historic buildings including:- The Whaley House Museum, a museum and historic landmark, believed by some to be haunted.
- The Adobe Chapel, a chapelChapelA chapel is a building used by Christians as a place of fellowship and worship. It may be part of a larger structure or complex, such as a church, college, hospital, palace, prison or funeral home, located on board a military or commercial ship, or it may be an entirely free-standing building,...
that served the first congregation in the state - The George and Anna Marston HouseGeorge W. Marston HouseThe George W. Marston House, or George Marston House and Gardens, also referred to as the George and Anna Marston House or the Marston House, is a museum and historic landmark located in San Diego and currently maintained by Save Our Heritage Organisation .- The House :The George W. Marston House...
Museum and Carriage House, an Arts & Crafts movementArts and Crafts movementArts and Crafts was an international design philosophy that originated in England and flourished between 1860 and 1910 , continuing its influence until the 1930s...
building built in 1905 - Derby-Pendleton House, a prefabricated house shipped to San Diego from MaineMaineMaine is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States, bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the east and south, New Hampshire to the west, and the Canadian provinces of Quebec to the northwest and New Brunswick to the northeast. Maine is both the northernmost and easternmost...
- Verna House, historic San Diego house
- Two false front buildings that house the New Orleans Creole Café in the Old Town San Diego Historical DistrictOld Town San Diego State Historic ParkOld Town San Diego State Historic Park, located in the Old Town neighborhood of San Diego, California, is a state protected historical park in San Diego. It commemorates the early days of the town of San Diego and includes many historic buildings from the period 1820 to 1870. The park was...