Craig Middleton letter
Presidio Trust Response to WNP Proposal
April 10, 2003
Mr. Woody LaBounty
Western Neighborhoods Projects
P.O. Box 460936
San Francisco, CA 94146-0936
Dear Woody:
Thank you very much for your suggestion regarding the placement of refugee shacks at the Presidio.
We have consulted with the National Park Service regarding your request and have considered your proposal very carefully in light of their ideas, thoughts and suggestions. As a result of these discussions, we have concluded that these artifacts are not appropriate to the Presidio's landscape.
It is clear that the 1906 Earthquake is embedded in San Francisco's history and that the Presidio played an important role in this event.
As you know, the Presidio is home to two existing refugee shacks whose origin traces directly back to the Presidio's relief efforts following the earthquake and fire. These are maintained by the National Park Service, which serves as the park's official historic interpreters.
Should the Presidio Trust act to add two earthquake or refugee shacks that were not historically located here, historical interpreters from the National Park Service and other agencies strongly believe that action would create a false sense of historical development and confuse the integrity of the Presidio's National Historic Landmark District status.
The Presidio as a National Historic Landmark District must adhere to standards and guidelines from the U.S. Department of the Interior for the treatment of historic properties. We use these guidelines when making decisions regarding the cultural landscape, archaeology, as well as historically designated properties.
In fact Standard #3 of the guidelines states: "Each property will be recognized as a physical record of its time, place, and use. Changes that create a false sense of historical development, such as adding conjectural features or elements from other historic properties, will not be undertaken."
It is not a question of space, but one of historic accuracy. The shacks are part of the San Francisco historic landscape and not believed to belong specifically to that of the Presidio's.
Nevertheless, historians agree that the refugee shacks do belong in a San Francisco museum with proper, respectful, and accurate historic interpretation.
Mr. LaBounty your passion, zeal and dedication is admirable. The suggestion you have made gave many of us pause to reflect on the city and Presidio's place in history. We thank you sincerely for making this suggestion and look forward to commemorating the 1906 Earthquake as we approach its centennial.
Sincerely,
Craig Middleton
Executive Director
cc: Mai-liis Bartling, National Park Service
Howard Levitt, National Park Service
Diane Nicholson, National Park Service
Br. Guire Cleary, S.S.F., Mission San Francisco de Asis
William Kostura
Lawrence and Elinore Lurie
Christine Miller
Winifred W. Seigel
Lorrie Ungaretti
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Page launched 21 April 2003; Updated 29 April 2003.