Housing Conservation Institute Photograph Archive, 1977-1987

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Summary

Creators:
San Francisco Development Fund and Housing Conservation Institute
Abstract:
The Housing Conservation Institute (HCI) Photograph Archive is a collection of approximately 600 photographs and 600 negatives documenting HCI's revitalization programs and projects in the Ingleside district of San Francisco, California between 1977 and 1987.
Extent:
1 box with approximately 600 photographs and 600 negatives (.5 Linear Feet)
Language:
Collection materials are in English .
Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Housing Conservation Institute Photograph Archive (SFP 137), San Francisco History Center, San Francisco Public Library.

Background

Scope and content:

The Housing Conservation Institute (HCI) Photograph Archive is a collection of approximately 550 photographs and 550 negatives documenting HCI's revitalization programs and projects in the Ingleside district of San Francisco, California between 1977 and 1987. In 1977 HCI received National Endowment of the Arts grant as part of the American Architectural Heritage Program. HCI worked with architectural firms to prepare guidelines for exterior redecoration and standardize signs for Ocean Avenue. The grant also funded a logo for the Ocean Ave Merchants Association. This work is documented in the photographs with HCI's participation in Ocean Avenue Merchants Association activities, meetings and promotional campaigns. A significant event for the project was the Ocean Avenue Tree Planting Ceremony in September 1980 with Mayor Dianne Feinstein in attendance. The collection also includes photographs printed in the 1977 Ocean Avenue: Report prepared by the San Francisco Development Fund and the San Francisco Department of City Planning. The visual material formats include both color and black and white photographic prints, contact sheets, negatives and Polaroids. Most photographs have the corresponding negatives. The photos with photographers identified were HCI staff. The majority of the photographers are unidentified.

Biographical / historical:

San Francisco Development Fund, a California non-profit corporation, created the The Housing Conservation Institute (HCI) in 1975 to demonstrate that older city neighborhoods can be preserved through a voluntary program of housing rehabilitation. From 1975 to 1986, HCI's program demonstrated that homeowners are stimulated to make voluntary home improvements by an offer of reliable financial counseling and rehabilitation assistance plus available financing from local lending institutions. To further this conservation effort, HCI revitalized a neighborhood business district, Ocean Avenue, immediately adjacent to its two demonstration areas. In 1977 HCI received National Endowment of the Arts grant as part of the American Architectural Heritage Program.

Acquisition information:
Gift from Gilbert A. Sams. 2008.
Processing information:

During processing, the entire collection was re-foldered and re-housed in acid-free folders and box. Due to water damage, photographs were removed from the one photograph album.

Arrangement:

Collection is arranged chronologically.

Physical location:
Open for research. The collection is offsite and advance notice is required for retrieval. Material must be requested at least 4 business days in advance of visit.
Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Access and use

Restrictions:

The collection is open for research and available for use during San Francisco History Center hours. Photographs are available during Photo Desk hours. This collection must be requested at least 4 business days in advance of visit.

Terms of access:

All requests for permission to publish from photographs must be submitted in writing to the Photo Curator. Permission for publication is given on behalf of the San Francisco Public Library as the owner of the physical items.

Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Housing Conservation Institute Photograph Archive (SFP 137), San Francisco History Center, San Francisco Public Library.

Location of this collection:
San Francisco Public Library
100 Larkin Street
San Francisco, CA 94102, US
Contact:
(415) 557-4567
sfhistory@sfpl.org
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