Pecora (Joseph B.) Papers, 1943-2013, bulk 1990-2005

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Summary

Title:
Joseph B. Pecora Papers
Dates:
1943-2013, bulk 1990-2005
Creators:
Pecora, Joseph B., 1937-2020
Abstract:
Joseph B. Pecora, as the de facto historian of the Alamo Square neighborhood, conducted research on historical neighborhood homes and buildings as part of his involvement in the Alamo Square Neighborhood Association, which he later compiled and published as a book titled, "The Storied Houses of Alamo Square." This collection contains research papers of Joseph B. Pecora and papers related to his involvement with the Alamo Square Neighborhood Association. Includes drafts, photographs, newsletters, ephemera, correspondence, and notes pertaining to research conducted on historic Alamo Square homes and buildings. Of note is a collection of contemporary photographs of the Alamo Square neighborhood and buildings by Ron Henggeler and a collection of house drawings by Jack Walsh.
Extent:
2 cartons (2 Cubic Feet)
Language:
Collection materials are in English.
Preferred citation:

Joseph B. Pecora Papers (SFH 644), San Francisco History Center, San Francisco Public Library.

Background

Scope and content:

Contains research papers of Joseph B. Pecora and papers related to his involvement with the Alamo Square Neighborhood Association. Includes drafts, photographs, newsletters, ephemera, correspondence, and notes pertaining to research conducted on historic Alamo Square homes and buildings. Of note is a collection of contemporary photographs of the Alamo Square neighborhood and buildings by Ron Henggeler, partially sorted by home address. There is also a sample of house drawings by Jack Walsh commissioned by Pecora to compliment his articles.

Biographical / historical:

Born on February 2, 1937, Joseph Benedict Pecora was a graduate of Taft High School in Taft, California, He went on to graduate from UCLA in 1959 with a degree in International Relations. He then attended the Air Force language school at Syracuse University and served in Germany as a Czech radio intercept analyst, and later joined the State Department as a U.S. Diplomatic Courier with postings in Manila and Frankfurt. He purchased a Victorian house near Alamo Square in San Francisco in 1979. Later, the neighborhood was slated for demolition by the San Francisco Redevelopment Agency but was rescued by a grassroots campaign of residents including Mr. Pecora. This campaign allowed the neighborhood to be reborn as a renowned designated historic district. Discovering a love for history and Victorian architecture and design, Mr. Pecora launched a newsletter for the newly formed Alamo Square Neighborhood Association, with each issue containing a researched history of a neighborhood house, including its architecture and residents. In the process of studying the historic homes, he became the de facto Alamo Square historian, and eventually compiled these histories into his book, The Storied Houses of Alamo Square. Mr. Pecora was also an active member of other local and national organizations, including the Victorian Alliance, the Decorative Arts Forum, and the National Trust for Historic Preservation. He died on November 30, 2020.

Acquisition information:
The collection was received in 2 accessions. Drawings of researched homes by Jack Walsh came to the San Francisco Public Library in 2018. Joseph B. Pecora and related Alamo Square Neighborhood Association drafts, photo materials, and personal papers were donated in 2021.
Processing information:

During processing, the entire collection was re-foldered and re-housed in acid-free folders and boxes. Some metal staples remain.

Arrangement:

The collection is arranged in 2 series. Series 1: Drafts and research material by home address; Series 2: Documents, correspondence, and papers arranged by type.

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

About this collection guide

Collection Guide Author:
Finding Aid composed by Norman Yee.
Date Encoded:
This finding aid was produced using ArchivesSpace on 2022-02-03 22:50:05 +0000 .

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 or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the City Archivist. Permission for publication is given on behalf of the San Francisco Public Library as the owner of the physical items.

Preferred citation:

Joseph B. Pecora Papers (SFH 644), 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
Website