Past Events

La Jolla was a different place during World War II, as buildings were camouflaged, gun turrets spotted the bluffs, and people raised their own food. Through it all, La Jollans persisted, working hard to contribute to the war effort.

Robert Mosher
Retired architect; La Jolla resident during World War II

Eugene Alfaro
Historian on food production in World War II

Mildred Lee Bell
Retired educator; attended La Jolla High School during the war

Dorothy Haven
Retired educator and actress; husband trained at Camp Callan

Warwick's and the La Jolla Concours d'Elegance Present

Linda Weldon
Road Racing: Drivers of the 60's and 70's

and

Scott Jacobs
The Art of Scott Jacobs: The Complete Works

Friday, March 30, 5:30-7:30pm. Fundraiser, Reception & Signing.

Warwick's will extend their store hours, with a percentage of sales going to the La Jolla Historical Society.

For more information please visit  http://warwicks.indiebound.com/event/la-jolla-concours-delegance .

The needs of the war effort sparked scientific innovation, precipitating a boom in the fields of marine sciences and aeronautics, setting the stage for San Diego’s economic growth in the latter half of the twentieth century .

Walter Munk
Retired oceanographer; US Army veteran and Scripps Institution of Oceanography scientist during World War II

What did La Jolla and Coronado have in common during the years after Pearl Harbor was attacked? 

We invite you to learn about how war affected the residents of La Jolla and Coronado, and San Diego's Japanese American community. Three curators, representing the La Jolla Historical Society, the Japanese American Historical Society in San Diego and the Coronado Historical Association, will each give an illustrated presentation of these communities' little known stories.

Tuesday, April 24, 6:30pm 

Winn Room, Coronado Library ~ 640 Orange Avenue, Coronado

The program is free  but reservations are encouraged 

Call 619 435-7242

or email  info@coronadohistory.org

The Society began its 70-year retrospective of World War II in December 2011 with an exhibit in Wisteria Cottage entitled "Home Front La Jolla" which ran from December 7, 2011 to May 27, 2012.   Concurrently, we produced a Lecture Series related to World War II topics. Our November 14 presentation, "What We Are Fighting For" -- a living history drama about Eleanor Roosevelt during the war -- will round out our focus for the year.

At 7:30pm on November 14th, please join us for Susan Marie Frontczak's reenactment presentation taking place at St. James-by-the-Sea Episcopal Church in the Van Schaick room. Tickets can be purchased in the La Jolla Historical Society's office or on this web page.

Members are $20.

Non-members are $25.

And students are $10.

We look forward to seeing you at this event! 

    Come explore the La Jolla Cultural Zone from the inside out on November 18, 2012. Now in its second year, this open house-style event extends an invitation to visit, explore, and get an up-close look at La Jolla’s cultural heritage and historic architecture. Free and open to the public, participants are invited to step inside the buildings that make the Cultural Zone so special. We look forward to opening our doors to you!
    Design your own itinerary or join a walking tour of the Cultural Zone, departing from The Bishop’s School. Complimentary event parking is available in Bishop’s garage (enter on La Jolla Blvd.). For more information, contact 858 459 3421 or OpenDoorsLaJolla@CuvierClub.com.

Featured Locations

Bed & Breakfast Inn at La Jolla

Join us for a Garden Tea Party and share in the history that surrounds this unique, luxury B&B.  Enjoy tours and tea, and get acquainted with historical figures Irving Gill, John Philip Sousa, and Kate Sessions. www.innlajolla.com

The Bishop's School

The Bishop’s School was founded by Ellen Browning Scripps in 1909. Visitors will tour the newly dedicated Manchester Library & Learning Center and learn about the School’s historic architecture.  www.bishops.com

The Cuvier Club

The historic Cuvier Club, an original USO Hall recently voted San Diego’s #1 Event Venue on the A-List, will be offering tours and tasty delights provided by the equally famous Abbey Catering Co.  www.cuvierclub.com 

La Jolla Historical Society

Tour Wisteria Cottage and the grounds. Discuss the history of La Jolla with docents and view the exhibition Home of Your Dreams: La Jolla 1887 through the 1920s.  www.lajollahistory.org 

La Jolla Presbyterian Church

Built in 1928, the LJPC Sanctuary features breathtaking architecture and gorgeous stained glass. Come hear inspiring music from our 51-rank Moller organ and a presentation on our building and windows.  www.ljpres.org  

La Jolla Women's Club

Enjoy tours of the historic Irving Gill building donated by Ellen Browning Scripps, along with music and light refreshments. www.lajollawomansclub.com

Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego

Take advantage of free museum admission during the hours of Open Doors La Jolla, and enjoy exhibition tours of Behold, America! Art of the United States from Three San Diego Museums at noon and 2 PM. www.mcasd.org

St. James by-the-Sea

Learn about the church’s history, architecture, stained glass windows, and more. Enjoy a performance on the 60-rank Austin pipe organ, and visit the award-winning St. James Gift & Book Shop. www.sjbts.org

Have you ever wondered whether your home is historic? Join the La Jolla Historical Society and speakers Kelly Stanco (Senior Planner of the City of San Diego Historical Resources Division), Vonn Marie May (Historical Designation Report Consultant), and Diane Kane (Architectual Historian), for a three-hour informational workshop to find out whether you own a property worthy of official recognition. 

Learn

• What the City's designation criteria are
• How and where to conduct archival research
• How to analyze the informaiton you have uncovered
• How to write up your findings for City review
• What are the benefits and responsibilities of historic home ownership (Mills Act)

The workshop will include informational handouts and opportunities to ask questions of the speakers and homeowners of historic properties who have successfully navigated the process.

The La Jolla Concours d’Elegance features various types of fine automobile gems. Past years have showcased horseless carriages, Italian marques, British marques, woodies, 50s classics, American sports cars (with a salute to GM on their 100th anniversary), and the automobiles of Carroll Shelby. Spectators from all over the nation come to breathtaking Scripps Park overlooking the shores of La Jolla to view their favorite classics. This year, the La Jolla Concours d’Elegance is back with Italian automobiles to illustrate again that if diamonds are forever, then cars are timeless.

For more information visit The La Jolla Concours d’Elegance website.

Every spring, the La Jolla Historical Society extends a rare invitation to the public to stroll behind the garden gates of some of La Jolla’s loveliest, secluded gardens, normally concealed from view by strategic growth of mature trees, vines or foliage.

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