La Jolla Historical Society will offer kid-friendly summer programs

By Ashley Mackin

Among its summer activities, La Jolla Historical Society is presenting two exhibits at Wisteria Cottage, hosting two youth camps, and planning for community “pop-up museums,” to fill the gap when renovations to the Cottage at 780 Prospect St. get under way in the fall.

Funded by the capital campaign that raised nearly $2 million over the last few years, the improvements will be to the Cottage’s structure and electrical system. While the Cottage is being renovated, historical society archivist and curator Michael Mishler said staff would promote “pop-up museums,” and call on the community to contribute artifacts to temporary “exhibits.” These items would not be for sale.

Inspired by pop-ups in Seattle, Mishler said one possible theme would be the post office and the Society would encourage people to bring in postcards and letters. Citing draft letters from the Vietnam War and postcards from other countries as examples, Mishler said “anything that came through the mail” would be welcome.

Meanwhile, the “Secret Garden Tour Art” and the photos submitted through the Society-sponsored Student Photo Competition are on display until July 1.

The “Secret Garden Tour Art” showcases paintings of the gardens included in the 14th annual La Jolla tour held on May 19.

The student photo exhibit marks the beginning of what Mishler calls, “the summer for kids.”

“One of our goals is outreach [and] to help people understand the environment, the community and why it’s important to know their history here,” Mishler said. “The programs aimed specifically at children help them look around and think ‘where do I live?’ ‘What’s it like?’”

Throughout July, workshops and camps will be held for youth at the Society’s offices at 7846 Eads Ave.

Outside The Lens, the Society’s partner in the student photo contest will present a photography workshop July 9–12 for students in grades 2-6 and July 16–19 for students in grades 7-12.

Additionally, the Society is sponsoring a Junior Architects summer camp July 23–25 to teach architectural skills. The models, sketches and designs produced during the camp will be on display July 30-Aug. 12.

La Jolla Historical Society

Wisteria Cottage: 780 Prospect St.

Hours: Noon to 4 p.m. Thursday-Sunday

Offices: 7846 Eads Ave.

Hours: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday-Friday.

Phone: (858) 459-5335

Web: lajollahistory.org