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Guide to the House of Pacific Relations and International Cottages Collection
MS 286
MS 286
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Table of contents
Title: House of Pacific Relations and International Cottages Collection
Identifier/Call Number: MS 286
Contributing Institution:
San Diego History Center Document Collection
Language of Material:
English
Physical Description:
2.25 Linear feet
(5 boxes)
Date (inclusive): 1934-1989
Abstract: A collection of newspaper articles, correspondence, photographs, and ephemera related to the history of the House of Pacific
Relations and International Cottages in Balboa Park.
creator:
House of Hospitality Association (San Diego, Calif.).
Biographical / Historical Notes
The House of Pacific Relations in Balboa Park was created for the California-Pacific International Exposition of 1935. Frank
Drugan, mastermind of the Exposition itself, established the organization “to foster and cultivate a spirit of understanding,
tolerance, and good will.” The organization was non-political, non-religious, and non-profit. At its creation nineteen nations
occupied fifteen buildings situated between the Ford Building (Aerospace Museum) and the Spreckels Organ Pavilion. By 2014,
there were a total of thirty two national groups occupying the original fifteen cottages, as well as four new cottages, and
the Hall of Nations. Membership in the House of Pacific Relations (“pacific” meaning peaceful) was constantly changing as
many countries gained and relinquished membership in the organization.
The House of Pacific Relations served many purposes. Initially, each member country was responsible for creating an annual
cultural program, typically consisting of ethnic costume, song, dance, and cuisine, for public events held Sundays between
April/June and October. The main function of the organization was to facilitate cultural exchange, although it also served
the public during its history by providing written and oral language translators. In the middle of the 20th century, the House
was also charged with receiving foreign dignitaries to San Diego. During World War II, the buildings comprising the House
were used as living quarters for non-commissioned naval officers. However, following the war, the buildings were rededicated
for the House of Pacific Relations and continue to present cultural programs to the present day.
A collection of newspaper articles, correspondence, photographs, and ephemera relating to the history of the House of Pacific
Relations and International Cottages in Balboa Park. The collection originally consisted entirely of scrapbooks; however,
it was necessary to deconstruct many of them during processing. “History of the House of Pacific Relations, 1935 – 1980” in
addition to documenting the history of the organization, also includes by-laws and correspondence. The volumes entitled “Programs”
and “Miscellanea” detail the participants and schedules of the House of Pacific Relations social events. “Tickets” is a collection
of ticket stubs from these events. “Tours” consists of correspondence relating to the charter flights to Europe which were
organized by the group. “The San Diego-Yokohama Friendship Commission” contains a small number of documents from the establishment
of the sister city affiliation between San Diego and Yokohama, Japan. The House of Pacific Relations scrapbooks contain newspaper
articles documenting social events sponsored by the member countries of the House of Pacific Relations and persons either
belonging to or being received by the organization. Two volumes of photographs provide a visual survey of the events sponsored
by each member country; most photographs are accompanied by a description.
Arranged by Series:
Series I: History of the House of Pacific Relations
Series II: Programs and Ticket
Series III: Miscellanea
Series IV: The San Diego-Yokohama Friendship Commission
Series V: Scrapbooks
Material within each volume is arranged chronologically.
Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements
Scrapbooks were deconstructed and placed in folders to prevent further deterioration of the material and to improve accessibility.
(March, 2014)
House of Pacific Relations and International Cottages Collection, MS 286, San Diego History Center Document Archives, San
Diego, CA.
This collection is open for research.
The San Diego History Center (SDHC) holds the copyright to any unpublished materials. SDHC Library regulations do apply.
Collection processed by Chris Bishop in March, 2014.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
California Pacific International Exposition (1935-1936 : San Diego, Calif.).
Drugan, Frank
Hall of Nations.
House of Argentina.
House of Austria.
House of China.
House of Columbia.
House of Czech and Slovak Republics.
House of Denmark.
House of England.
House of Finland.
House of France.
House of Germany.
House of Hungary.
House of India.
House of Iran.
House of Ireland.
House of Israel.
House of Italy.
House of Lebanon.
House of Lithuania.
House of Mexico.
House of Norway.
House of Pacific Relations.
House of Palestine.
House of Panama.
House of Peru.
House of Poland.
House of Puerto Rico.
House of Scotland.
House of Spain.
House of Sweden.
House of the Philippines.
House of Turkey.
House of Ukraine.
House of USA.
International Cottages.
Balboa Park (San Diego, Calif.)