New Exhibit Unveils the Important History of San Diego’s Neighborhood House

September 12, 2024

San Diego, CA, September 11, 2024 – The San Diego History Center is thrilled to announce the opening of its latest exhibition, “La Neighbor: A Settlement House 1914-1972,” on September 14, 2024. This immersive exhibit will explore the history and enduring legacy of the Neighborhood House in Logan Heights, a vital institution for San Diego’s Mexican American community.

Located at 1809 National Avenue in Logan Heights, the Neighborhood House became the heart of the Mexican American community starting in 1914. It began as a charitable outreach program by the College Women’s Club, founded by wealthy, socially progressive Victorian women. Known as Neighborhood House, La Neighbor, or Big Neighbor, the building served the Logan Heights community for over 60 years.

The Neighborhood House was part of the broader settlement house movement, which originated in England. Settlement houses aimed to “Americanize” immigrants and working classes affected by rapid industrialization and urbanization. They offered multiple services under one roof, including education and vocational training for all ages, housing and employment assistance, healthcare access, cultural and recreational activities, and advocacy for labor rights and social reform. Although Americanization was a stated goal, settlement houses also became centers of cultural pluralism and resistance to assimilation. They played a crucial role in addressing social issues of the time, such as advocating for improved working conditions, child labor laws, and women’s suffrage. Many issues they addressed, like poverty, inequality, and access to education and healthcare, remain relevant today.

This exhibition traces the development of San Diego’s Neighborhood House from its beginnings to its establishment as a trusted community resource and barrio institution among Mexican Americans. Though founded by Victorian white progressive women and initially supported by figures like Mary and Helen Marston, it evolved into an integral community space that laid the foundation for many later community developments.

Visitors to the exhibition will encounter a meticulously curated collection of historical documents, in addition to nearly twenty new oral history interviews from former Logan Heights residents and Neighborhood House participants impacted by its services. Examining the history of Neighborhood House through its first sixty years reveals how individuals and governments responded to social issues like poverty and lack of access to healthcare and education. It also highlights how communities are built and future generations nurtured despite ongoing vulnerabilities and challenges posed by external policy and planning decisions.

“As we commemorate the 110th anniversary of the Neighborhood House, this exhibition serves as a reminder of the lasting influence of community-based support and action,” said Tina Zarpour, PhD, Vice President, Community Engagement, Education and Collections at San Diego History Center. “We invite everyone to witness how this remarkable institution shaped San Diego’s cultural landscape and continues to inspire community efforts today.”

About the San Diego History Center:
Founded in 1928, the History Center is dedicated to creating a healthy, vibrant, and inclusive community by connecting, preserving, and revealing the past, present, and future of the region. The History Center is a Smithsonian Affiliate and operates its Museum and Archive in Balboa Park, as well as the Junípero Serra Museum in Presidio Park.

Contact:
Tina Zarpour, PhD
Vice President, Community Engagement, Education and Collections
(619) 232-6203
[email protected]

Visit sandiegohistory.org for more information about the exhibit, upcoming events, and San Diego History Center’s mission.

San Diego History Center Located in Balboa Park, 1649 El Prado, Suite #3, San Diego, CA 92101