Marston House Museum

10/01/2023

Prepare for a month of wonder and excitement as we celebrate the magic of learning and discovery with Kids Free San Diego!

Visit https://www.sohosandiego.org/enews/0923kidsfree.htm for details.

09/29/2023

Today's Concert for Historic Preservation at the Marston House Museum.

Tix available at the door:
Marston House Museum & Gardens
3525 Seventh Avenue, San Diego 92103
$10 SOHO Members · $12 Non-members

It has been a rough and disappointing week for all of us we know- so, come on by and do like Taylor does and"shake it off" if only for a few short hours at today's Concert for Historic Preservation at the Marston House Museum.

Tix available at the door:
Marston House Museum & Gardens
3525 Seventh Avenue, San Diego 92103
$10 SOHO Members · $12 Non-members
Details:
https://www.sohosandiego.org/main/event_musicatthemarston092923.htm?fbclid=IwAR2RE-2F1GXDogYF2_QhvwpxpfRmPXhr4PzKwRwduWEh1CqZKNIcuV82OCI

09/28/2023

“Children’s Cove, La Jolla” by Herbert Turner (1958), courtesy Dijkstra Fine Art Collection.

Herbert B. Turner (1926-2010), renowned as an architect, was also a skilled painter and sculptor who blended classical art principles with modern concerns. His artworks, seemingly portraying daily life, were meticulously crafted scenes carrying social commentary, personal reflections, or meaningful messages. Turner discovered his artistic talent while recovering from a sports injury at West Point and received training in New York under Robert Brackman and Naum Los. He later apprenticed with John Lloyd Wright in Del Mar, California. Turner's architectural achievements included over 50 exceptional residential and commercial structures, integrating architecture with its environment ahead of the "green" movement. His painting style drew inspiration from artists like Thomas Hart Benton and Edward Hopper, featuring egg tempera as the primary medium, and delved into perceptive narratives about society and personal connections.

09/25/2023

So much to do at the park this week!

Hi, Explorers! We’re trying something new for this week. Since there aren’t as many events as usual, we’ve included some suggestions of exhibits in the Park that are included with the Balboa Park Explorer Pass so you can still make the most out of your visiting experience.

If you’re new to our crew, the Balboa Park Explorer Pass is one pass that includes general admission to some of your favorite museums in Balboa Park! For more info, visit Explorer.BalboaPark.org. Happy Exploring!

For links to each event, visit go.explorebalboapark.org/ThisWeek0925.

09/25/2023

The 17th Annual La Mesa History Center Home Tour is looking for docents! See the details at the post:

Sharing for our friends in preservation at the La Mesa History Center

Looking for a fun way to give back to your community? Consider becoming a docent for the 17th Annual La Mesa History Center Home Tour on November 11th! You'll get time to view the Tour, for free. Submit your interest through the link provided and don't forget to share this opportunity with others who may be interested. We appreciate your support!

https://pages.lamesahistory.com/home-tour-2023-docent-sign-up

09/25/2023

The final concert of the series is this Friday!
Featured Artists:

Cathryn Beeks has been sharing original music and shining a light on the folks who make it since her first podcast in San Diego in 2004 called The Listen Local Show. She debuted her brand “Listen Local” in 2003 offering acoustic showcases, festivals, podcasts, web shows and more in an effort to introduce folks to music makers, creatives, and inspiring people/places/things in San Diego and beyond. She's been making her own music, too, with the help of her talented friends since 1998. This year, Cathryn began performing solo and her band, The Ordeal, will begin playing shows this summer.

Lauren Leigh is a professional vocalist and award-winning songwriter known for her unique and versatile voice and powerhouse soul. Her versatility as a singer and songwriter has quickly made her highly sought after. She has worked with a wide range of award-winning artists in almost every genre, lending her vocals and songwriting skills to create beautiful and heartfelt music. Lauren has sung and worked regularly with producer Fernando Perdomo (Jacob Dylan, Yes), Kevin Flournoy (Chaka Khan, Dionne Warwick, American Idol), Jeff Berkley, Eve Selis, Wayne Riker, King Taylor Project, and a growing list of international and local talent. Despite her success, Lauren is determined to continue growing as a recording and performance artist and creating music that resonates with her fans.
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Eve Selis says, “Welcome to my crazy life of music.” She’s been a singer as long as she can remember. It’s really all she knows. But her love of singing has become even more meaningful over the years as she experiences the two-way, healing power of music. She feels it every time she supports a cause that is important to her or sees someone in the audience experience the comfort of a lyric or the joy of a guitar solo. But the connection they share transcends even the songs themselves. More and more she’s learning that hardship, grief and tragedy make music not just an occupation or a diversion, but a necessity. Sharing music is as essential as food and water to her.

https://www.sohosandiego.org/main/event_musicatthemarston092923.htmget your tickets HERE:

09/25/2023

Come explore the fascinating historic Warner-Carrillo Ranch House and Marston House Museums—and bring your kids for free in October!

Visit https://www.sohosandiego.org/enews/0923kidsfree.htm for details.

09/23/2023

This 1896 photo, courtesy Save Our Heritage Organisation (SOHO), of the recently inaugurated fourth store of Marston’s Department Stores showcases the Men’s Furnishing Department.

Learn more about Marston's Department Stores here: https://www.sohosandiego.org/exhibits/marstonlegacy/marstonstores.html

09/18/2023

"California Tower" (1915) by Alice Klauber (1871-1951), oil on panel, 12"×15". Courtesy Panama-California Exposition Digital Archive.

09/16/2023

Enjoy Robin Lakin's newest installment to The Marstons: A California Family - Part 8
Five Little Marstons

After returning from their honeymoon in 1878, George and Anna Marston shared his mother’s “battened cottage” at 6th and C Streets with his sister Mary, while his mother, Harriett Marston, and sister Lilla took a trip back east.

09/16/2023

A “Beauty!"-ful 1911 advertisement for Marston’s 2nd Floor Millinery Display from the San Diego Union.

09/14/2023

Experience the delight of shopping at our museum shop and find something special for that special someone.

Just in time for fall, the Marston House Museum Shop has new lines and products perfect for anyone on your birthday, anniversary, or holiday gift list. We are big on graphics and design at SOHO, so when we found these new arrivals—striking puzzles and eye-catching artists’ note cards—we were e...

09/13/2023

Explore overlooked and rediscovered projects by master architect Irving J. Gill, some hidden and others altered over time, shedding new light on his prolific body of work. Join the presentation at the First Church of Christ, Scientist in Coronado for an evening of architectural revelations.

Architects, historians, and design enthusiasts alike are drawn to the work of master architect Irving J. Gill. While his body of work has been relatively well documented in books, scholarly papers and archives, there are projects that for various reasons disappeared from the record. Lear

09/10/2023

For here are two images of "Grandma" Anna Marston reading to her grandchildren Elsa Katherine "Doonie," Annalee, and Hamilton. First image courtesy San Diego History Center; second image from George White Marston: A Family Chronicle Volume II by Mary Gilman Marston.

09/09/2023

The Dress Goods Department of Marston’s then newly-opened fourth store, 1896. Photo courtesy Save Our Heritage Organisation (SOHO).

Learn more about Marston's Department Stores here: https://www.sohosandiego.org/.../marst.../marstonstores.html

09/07/2023

Thanks to everyone who attended and helped us kick off the first concert in this year’s Music at the Marston series on September 1 with a full house!

Watch the montage of videos from the first concert to give you an idea of what to expect! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hoXtxEFHP00
And then get your tickets at the image link below!

Get your tickets now! Share This Email   This year’s Music at the Marston opened to a packed house! SOHO and the Marston House Gardens are now in full swing with an unforgettable end-of-summer musical

09/07/2023

It was in the spring of 1907 that Marston’s Department Store became the epicenter of an audacious theft, as reported in the Lost & Found column of The San Diego Union.

09/04/2023

September 1, 1933, San Diego Evening Tribune advertisement for Marston’s announcing the Labor Day store closure and promoting the Girls’ Shop to “young fashionables”. The "NRA" logo is that of the National Recovery Administration which was established by President Franklin D. Roosevelt that same year.

09/03/2023

Honoring Robert Veres for his Dedication to the
Marston House Museum & Gardens

"With a mixture of gratitude and sadness, we say goodbye to Robert Veres, our friend and the vigilant caretaker of the Marston House Museum. He has been an integral part of the museum, both in standing watch over this important property and providing our guests with his knowledge and passion for the Marston legacy as he guided tours during the past 13 years. As we reflect on his contributions, we want to publicly express our appreciation for the impact he has made."
READ the whole tribute HERE: https://www.sohosandiego.org/enews/0923robertretires.htm

09/02/2023

The Domestic Goods Department of Marston’s then newly-opened fourth store, 1896. Photo courtesy Save Our Heritage Organisation (SOHO).

Learn more about Marston's Department Stores here: https://www.sohosandiego.org/exhibits/marstonlegacy/marstonstores.html

08/31/2023

New Item at the Marston House Museum Shop!

Visit the Marston House Museum Shop and embrace the beauty of everyday life with a new collection of tea towels that are crafted with a passion for sustainability. All towels are made of organic cotton and with water-based printing inks.

The owners, Søren Koustrup and Ulla Koustrup with a background in biology & publishing have an educational aim of passing on knowledge about plants, animals, gastronomy, and organic living!

08/30/2023

14 Things to Do in San Diego This Weekend: Aug. 31–Sept. 3!
Music at the Marston House Museum and 13 other great programs!

Thanks, San Diego Magazine

The best things to do in San Diego this weekend, including NTC Park's Brazilian Day Festival, a grape-stomp extravaganza in Julian, and an immersive urban art festival in Logan Heights.

08/28/2023

Indulge in the allure of artistic mastery—seize the chance to own this exquisite original painting—only at the Marston House Museum Shop!

Joan Boyer
The Cove, La Jolla
Oil
8” X 10”

Joan Boyer grew up in Alameda, an ardent hiker with a love of drawing and painting. After graduating from the University of California Santa Barbara, she taught art in San Diego and American Samoa. These days, she travels with her watercolor kit to make quick studies for larger oil paintings that she paints in her studio. She also paints landscapes and seascapes en plein air, and labels them with GPS coordinates, in case others want to visit the same place.

08/26/2023

FROM 1878 to 1961 MARSTON'S was one of Southern California's finest emporiums and a genteel social hub for all ages. Seen here is an 1896 image of the Front Section-Main Floor of Marston’s then brand new fourth store, courtesy Save Our Heritage Organisation (SOHO).

Learn more about Marston's Department Stores here: https://www.sohosandiego.org/exhibits/marstonlegacy/marstonstores.html

08/24/2023

Letter from John Muir to James R. Garfield, 1907, Sep 20 for the protection of Hetch Hetchy Valley- and signed as a Board of Director of the Sierra Club by our own Wm. Bade husband to Elizabeth Le Breton Marston and son-in-law to George & Mary Marston.

Transcription:

SIERRA CLUB 2901 Channing Way Berkley, Cal. San Francisco, September 20, 1907.
Report of the Sierra Club committee appointed by the President at a meeting of the directors held in San Francisco August 31, 1907.

Whereas, the Yosemite National Park was created by act of Congress, October 8th, 1S90 in order that the unrivaled aggregation of scenic features of this great natural wonderland should be preserved in pure wildness for all time for the benefit of the entire nation;

and Whereas, an application has been made to this Department by certain local interests to utilize Hetch Hetchy Valley as a reservoir site for the purpose of obtaining a municipal water-supply for the City of San Francisco, and thus flooding the entire floor of the Valley;

Whereas, Hetch Hetchy Valley, far from being a common meadow , a minor feature as claimed by applicants, is a counterpart of Yosemite and a great and wonderful feature of the Park next to Yosemite in beauty, grandeur and importance;

Whereas, the floor of Hetch Hetchy like that of Yosemite is a beautiful landscape park diversified by magnificent groves, gardens and flowery meadows in charming combinations specially adapted for pleasure-camping;

and Whereas, this wonderful valley is the focus of pleasure travel in the large surrounding area of the Park, and all the trails from both the south and the north lead into and through this magnificent camp-ground, and though now accessible only by trails, it is visited by large numbers of campers and travelers every summer, and after a wagon-road has been made into it, and its wonders become better known it will be visited by countless thousands of admiring travelers from all parts of the world;

Whereas, if dammed and submerged 175 feet deep as proposed, Hetch Hetchy would be rendered utterly inaccessible for travel, since no road could be built around the borders of the reservoir without tunnelling through solid granite cliffs;

and Whereas, these camp-grounds would be destroyed and access to other important places to the north and south of the Valley interfered with, and the gate-way of the sublime Tuolumne Canyon leading up to the grand Central High Sierra Camp-ground the Upper Tuolumne Valley would be completely blocked and closed;

and Whereas, no greater damage could be done to the great National Park excepting the damming of Yosemite itself;

and Whereas all of the arguments advanced in favor of making Hetch Hetchy into a reservoir could be made to apply with equal force to the case of making Yosemite into a reservoir, except that the cost of a dam in the latter case would be greater;

Whereas, such use would to a great extent, defeat the purpose and nullify the effect of the law creating the Park;

and Whereas, the proponents of the San Francisco water scheme desire the use of Hetch Hetchy, not because water as pure and abundant cannot be obtained elsewhere, but because, as they themselves admit, the cost would be less;

and Whereas, we do not believe that the vital interests of the nation at large should be sacrificed and so important a part of its National Park destroyed to save a few dollars for local interests: therefore be it Resolved, that we are opposed to the use of Hetch Hetchy Valley as a reservoir site, and devoutly pray that the application of the San Francisco board of supervisors to the Hon. Secretary of the Interior may be denied.

Signed:
John Muir- President
Mr. William E. Colby - Secretary
Prof. J.N. Le Conte Frof. – Treasurer
Directors of the Sierra Club.
Wm. P. Bade
Mr. E.T. Parsons
The Honorable Secretary of the Interior.
Respectfully submitted.


Collection of the
University of the Pacific

08/20/2023

..."On the canyon floor he planted oaks and sycamores and over the creek bed, dry most of the time but after a heavy rain an obstreperous little river, built substantial rustic bridges..." -
Mary Marston
Page 78, George White Marston: A Family Chronicle

08/20/2023

For a to , tour the nearby neighborhood of Bankers Hill and observe various architectural styles, including Craftsman, classic Gill Modernism, Spanish Revival, Tudor Revival, Colonial Revival, Prairie, and more in one of San Diego’s most pedestrian-friendly neighborhoods.

3401 1st Avenue
Royal Food Mart, c.1930
Unknown Architect
Art Deco

A great example of the Art Deco style, which once flourished in San Diego. Note the original neon sign outside; be sure to visit the interior—with its original wooden refrigerator unit.

Photo by Sandé Lollis.

08/19/2023

Please note that The Marston House Museum & Gardens will be CLOSED on Sunday, August 20 due to the strong weather expected from Hurricane Hilary.

Thank you for your support of the Marston House Museum & Gardens. Stay safe and we will see you soon!

08/19/2023

The emergence of George Marston's fourth emporium in 1896, a creation of the visionary Reid Brothers, Architects, caused quite a stir as it boldly established itself on Fifth Street at C, venturing far beyond the bustling heart of the business hub. Yet, this audacious move proved to be an ingenious stroke. The emporium flourished beyond expectations, experiencing a threefold surge in its trade volume, and in a mere 15 years, it had outpaced its own confines. 1896 image courtesy Save Our Heritage Organisation (SOHO).

Learn more about Marston's Department Stores here: https://www.sohosandiego.org/exhibits/marstonlegacy/marstonstores.html

08/17/2023

Set in the enchanting historic rose garden on three Fridays in September, from 3 to 5pm, this concert series offers a unique and intimate setting. Picture this: Three talented artists sharing the stage, their music, and captivating stories in the round to engage and delight everyone.

Tickets for each show are available for $10 for SOHO members and $12 for non-members. Be sure to grab yours in advance to secure your spot.

https://www.sohosandiego.org/enews/0723musicatmarston.htm

08/13/2023

MUSIC AT THE MARSTON!

For the second year in a row, the Marston House Gardens plays host to an unforgettable end-of-summer music experience! SOHO presents a series of three outdoor concerts featuring the best of Americana, folk, country, and blues music-a festival of extraordinary women singer-songwriters.

MUSIC AT THE MARSTON
September 1, 2023, 3-5PM
Annie Bethancourt, Suzanne Panza, and Lisa Sanders!

Featured Artist Spotlight!
Suzanne Panza is a professional vocalist and musician recently relocated from Nashville to Phoenix. She grew up in San Diego, performing with her band Talk Like June. She has opened for many artists, most notably Journey at BYU Stadium. She has performed at iconic venues such as the Ryman Auditorium and the Bluebird Cafe in Nashville and the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland. She worked with many musicians such as John Carter Cash, Charlie McCoy, and Ira Dean as she honed her songwriting and performing craft. She now enjoys performing in Phoenix as well as San Diego.

Follow Suzanne
Instagram:

For more information and to purchase tickets, visit: http://www.sohosandiego.org/enews/0723musicatmarston.htm

08/13/2023

For a to , tour the nearby neighborhood of Bankers Hill and observe various architectural styles, including Craftsman, classic Gill Modernism, Spanish Revival, Tudor Revival, Colonial Revival, Prairie, and more in one of San Diego’s most pedestrian-friendly neighborhoods.

3353 2nd Avenue
George Easton House, 1908
Irving Gill
Cubist with Prairie Influence

This is one of Irving Gill’s first designs after the breakup of the brief partnership of Gill & Mead. Note the flat roof, the boxed entryway with graceful arches and the wide eaves.

Photo by Sandé Lollis.

08/12/2023

c.1930s jar of Private labeled, Marston's Double Whipped Liquifying Cleansing Cream; and a detail from a Marston's advertisement promoting the product, The San Diego Union, January 2, 1935.

Courtesy SOHO. This and other fun Marston Department store artifacts can be seen in person at the museum, in the Marston Legacy exhibit.

08/10/2023

New item at the Marston House Museum Shop!

Matchboxes, a quintessential article of daily use—ours with designs based on botanical illustrations. Sweet as a hostess gift and a perfect pairing to a candle, with eye-catching graphics.
Safety matches 50 sticks per box.

08/06/2023

For a to , tour the nearby neighborhood of Bankers Hill and observe various architectural styles, including Craftsman, classic Gill Modernism, Spanish Revival, Tudor Revival, Colonial Revival, Prairie, and more in one of San Diego’s most pedestrian-friendly neighborhoods.

3303 2nd Avenue
Merzmann-Winans House, 1908
Schaniel Brothers
Craftsman

From 1968-70, the San Diego Free Press was run from here, famous 1960s radicals such as Angela Davis, Eldridge Cleaver and Herbert Marcuse met here.

Photo by Sandé Lollis.

08/04/2023

George Marston's connection to geraniums is well known, but did you know that in 1939, Austrian native, banker (San Diego First National Bank), and master gardener Mouney C. Pfefferkorn dedicated his exhibit of prize dahlias (the largest at the San Diego Floral Association's 33rd annual show) to pioneer and beloved civic leader, George W. Marston?

Also known as "Mr. Navy," Pfefferkorn was instrumental in developing San Diego's Naval presence, campaigning for the creation of North Island Naval Base, and as a football coach, led the campaign to build Balboa Stadium.

The San Diego Evening Tribune, August 24, 1939.

08/02/2023

2nd Saturday KidSketch:
The Marston House Museum

JOIN SDAF Saturday, August 12, for an online sketching session to sketch the Marston House Museum.

Second Saturday events bring first-time sketchers and seasoned enthusiasts to the same table with a virtual event that is open to "kids" of all ages!'

Rsvp via the link below!
https://sdaf.wildapricot.org/event-5270825

2nd Saturday KidSketch: The Marston House in Balboa Park 🌳

Join us Saturday, August 12, for an online sketching session when we will sketch the Marston House in Balboa Park.

Fun Fact: The property was designed and built by the internationally renowned architects William Sterling Hebbard and Irving Gill. Surrounded by five acres of rolling lawns, manicured formal gardens, and rustic canyon gardens, this 8,500 square foot home became a house museum in 1987 after the Marston family gifted it to the City of San Diego for the enjoyment of the public.

Our Second Saturday events bring first time sketchers and seasoned enthusiasts to the same table with a virtual event that is open to "kids" of all ages!' Rsvp via the link below!

https://sdaf.wildapricot.org/event-5270825