Oakland Heritage Alliance (OHA) is an American non-profit organization based in Oakland, California. OHA advocates the preservation of Oakland's historical sites and "cultural, natural, and architectural heritage",[1] organizes walking tours and lectures,[2] and monitors new development projects.[3]
OHA began in 1980[4] with a bankroll of $150 and seven individuals.[citation needed] Founding members were involved in the Oakland Cultural Heritage Survey which was funded by a 1979 state grant.[citation needed] The organization's earliest advocacy included a campaign surrounding the Metcalf House, a mansion which was eventually moved from Adams Point to West Oakland to avoid its demolition.[5]
Membership costs $45.
Advocacy
OHA petitioned for the 16th Street train station to be listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and has argued for restoring the abandoned station. In response to a proposed housing development near the station, OHA argued that the development should be modified to include restoring the station and to avoid obscuring the station's baggage wing.[6][7][8]
OHA advocated against a proposed housing development on the former site of the Oakland campus of the California College of the Arts, in the Rockridge neighborhood.[9] It also advocated against a 3100-unit housing development on Oakland's waterfront.[10][11][12][13]
OHA argued against the Eastline development in downtown Oakland, saying that it was too close to historic buildings.[14]
Other activities
The organization gives Partners in Preservation awards annually to "individuals, organizations, projects, and programs whose work demonstrates a commitment to excellence in historic preservation".[15]
Walking tours are open to the public for a fee and to OHA members or volunteers for free or at a discount.[16][17] Most walking tours take place on Saturdays and Sundays in the summer.
Open house tours are similar to walking tours but offer the chance to see inside a handful of private homes each of which exemplify a particular architectural style common to the tour's focus.
Oakland Heritage Alliance publishes a quarterly newsletter: OHA News.
