Housing Conservation Institute Photograph Archive
(1977-1987)
SFP 137
Finding aid created by Christina Moretta
San Francisco History Center, San Francisco Public Library
2022
100 Larkin Street
San Francisco, CA 94102
sfhistory@sfpl.org
Title: Housing Conservation Institute Photograph Archive
Date (inclusive): 1977-1987
Identifier/Call Number: SFP 137
Creator:
San Francisco Development Fund
Creator:
Housing Conservation Institute
Physical Description:
1 box with approximately 600 photographs and 600 negatives
(.5 Linear Feet)
Contributing Institution:
San Francisco History Center, San Francisco Public Library
100 Larkin Street
San Francisco, CA 94102
(415) 557-4567
info@sfpl.org
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.
Physical Location: The collection is stored onsite.
Language of Materials: Collection materials are in
English
.
Conditions Governing Access
The collection is available for use during San Francisco History Center's Photo Desk hours. Collections that are stored offsite
should be requested 48 hours in advance.
Publication Rights
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.
Provenance
Gift from Gilbert A. Sams. 2008.
Conservation Note
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.
Biography
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.
Scope and Contents
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.
Arrangement
Collection is arranged chronologically.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Urban renewal -- California -- San Francisco.
Architecture -- Conservation and restoration -- California -- San Francisco
Central business districts -- California -- San Francisco
Community development, Urban -- California -- San Francisco
Buildings -- Repair and reconstruction
Ingleside District (San Francisco, Calif.) -- Civic improvement
Photographic prints, 1970-1980
Photographic prints, 1980-1990
Transparencies
box 1, folder 1-2
Ocean Avenue Merchants Association Logo Contest & HCI Staff, prints and negatives
1977
box 1, folder 3
HCI neighborhoods and commercial areas before revitalization; Dorado Terrace before demolition, prints
1977
box 1, folder 4-5
Press conference for first CHFA Rehabilitation, prints and negatives
Feb 1978
box 1, folder 6
Ocean Avenue Merchants Association Christmas poster contest, prints
Dec 1978
box 1, folder 7
Fourth Year Report, prints
1977-1979
box 1, folder 8-9
Construction of Ocean Avenue identification sign, prints and negatives
May 1980
box 1, folder 10-12
Free Paint program, prints, contact sheets and negatives
June 1980
box 1, folder 13-14
HCI Board of Directors and staff, prints, contact sheets and negatives
June 1980
Creator:
Leuben, Elizabeth
Scope and Contents
Photos of HCI Board of Directors include Gisele Ferras O'Shea, Doug Siden, Ken Washington. Photos of HCI staff include Larnders
Roy, Diane Porter, Bronwyn Belling, Pat Starret, Russel Davis, Don Ralya, Veronica Hunnicut.
box 1, folder 15-16
Fifth Year Report, prints and negatives
July 1980
Scope and Contents
Photos for 5th year report include Miles & Co., staff photos, sample case binders, block elevation, new garbage rescepticles,
Ocean Ave identification sign at Victoria St., Homewood Terrace under construction.
box 1, folder 17-18
Victoria Street and Ocean Avenue commercial district identification sign, prints and negatives
July 1980
box 1, folder 19
Independent rehabilitation of commercial district property
July 1980
box 1, folder 20-21
Ocean Avenue Tree Planting Ceremony, prints and negatives
Sept 1980
box 1, folder 22-23
Before and after of rehab and free paint properties, prints and negatives
Aug-Sept 1980
Scope and Contents
Includes properties at 55 Caine Street, 231 Grafton Street and a residence on Faxon Street.
box 1, folder 24
Ocean Avenue Merchants Association Christmas poster contest, prints
Dec 1980
box 1, folder 25
HCI Christmas Open House Party and Ocean Avenue signs, prints
Dec 1980
box 1, folder 26
HCI staff Christmas party, prints
Dec 1981
box 1, folder 27-28
HCI rehabilitation, CHFA rehabilitation and Ocean Avenue, prints and negatives
1975-1981
box 1, folder 29
HCI photograph album
1983-1987
Processing Information
Photos removed from photo album based on water damage.
