American Bungalow Magazine - The Magazine published in the interest of preserving and restoring the modest American 20th Century Home, the Bungalow, and the rich lifestyle that it affords.

In February 2009, the San Diego Historical Society, which for many years operated the 1905 Marston House as a house museum under a lease with the City of San Diego, announced that it would not renew its lease, citing among other reasons its mission and current economic conditions. This announcement stirred widespread fear in the historic-preservation community-not just in San Diego but throughout the country-that the house might be closed to the public, perhaps permanently. That fear, in turn, prompted urgent appeals for another preservation organization to step in and offer to work with the city to preserve and maintain the house as a historic museum open to the public.

On March 3, 2009, Bruce Coons, Executive Director of San Diego’s Save Our Heritage Organisation, issued the following announcement:

Save Our Heritage Organisation Board of Directors in a special meeting of the board on Monday, March 2, 2009 has voted to announce that we are willing to pursue operations of the historic Marston House for the City of San Diego. This decision was made in response to the tremendous number of requests from our membership and the general public.

SOHO has received the endorsement of the Friends of the Marston House, whose membership met on Saturday, February 28. We are pleased to receive their support and partnership in furthering our mutual goals for the preservation and operation of the Marston House.

The house, which was originally built for George Marston and his family in 1905 by architects William S. Hebbard and Irving J. Gill, became a house museum after the Marston family left it to the City of San Diego in 1987 for the enjoyment of the public. The San Diego Historical Society had operated it since that time. Last month the Society, citing among other reasons their mission and economic conditions, decided to allow their lease to expire.

SOHO has the proven and unique capacity to develop the Marston House into one of California’s premiere house museums. Our philosophy is that historic sites have the unique ability of being able to inspire, and that through their authenticity and the stories of people who lived and worked in them, they stir the imagination and inspire people in a myriad of ways that will be key to the renaissance of this important landmark home.

American Bungalow’s Winter 2005 feature on the Marston House can be read here.