Oakland Heritage Alliance

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.

References

1. Rasilla, Azucena (10 October 2023). "This week in Oakland: Drunken Film Fest, 'Taste of Italy' at Rockridge Market Hall". The Oaklandside. Retrieved 21 December 2024.
2. Rasilla, Azucena (19 July 2022). "This week in Oakland: Art + Soul 20th anniversary and Dapper Croquet Day at Camron-Stanford House". The Oaklandside. Retrieved 21 December 2024.
3. King, John (October 30, 2017). "Zigzagging tower would top Oakland skyline". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved 21 December 2024.
4. Thomas, Laura (January 13, 2007). "Homes, businesses may apply for Oakland heritage awards". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved 21 December 2024.
5. Hirschfield, C. J. (3 August 2021). "These 4 historic Oakland houses are free. You just have to pay to move them". The Oaklandside.
6. Orenstein, Natalie (12 April 2024). "Preservationists renew campaign to restore West Oakland's abandoned 16th Street station". The Oaklandside. Retrieved 21 December 2024.
7. Dahlstrom-Eckman, Azul (5 October 2024). "Search Continues for Funding and Purpose for Oakland's Historic 16th Street Train Station". www.kqed.org. Retrieved 21 December 2024.
8. Dahlstrom-Eckman, Azul (16 November 2024). "Advocates for Historic Oakland Train Station, Fallen Into Disrepair, Eye a Lifeline | KQED". www.kqed.org. Retrieved 21 December 2024.
9. Orenstein, Natalie (21 November 2024). "Plan for 448 apartments, park and shops in Rockridge faces key vote next month". The Oaklandside. Retrieved 21 December 2024.
10. Heredia, Christopher (July 25, 2006). "Citizen groups sue to block Oak-to-Ninth housing project". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved 21 December 2024.
11. {{cite news |last1=Heredia |first1=Christopher |title=Lawsuit withdrawn on housing project |url=https://www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/article/lawsuit-withdrawn-on-housing-project-3236272.php |access-date=21 December 2024 |publisher=[[San Francisco Chronicle |date=November 10, 2007}}
12. "Oak to Ninth Still in Court". East Bay Express | Oakland, Berkeley & Alameda. 9 April 2008. Retrieved 21 December 2024.
13. Writers, Paul T. Rosynskystaff (22 June 2006). "Oakland greenlights Oak to Ninth". East Bay Times. Retrieved 21 December 2024.
14. Li, Roland (July 6, 2018). "Eastline project, bigger than Salesforce Tower, seeks to transform Oakland". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved 21 December 2024.
15. Rasilla, Azucena (10 August 2023). "Know someone keeping Oakland history alive? Nominate them for this local award". The Oaklandside. Retrieved 21 December 2024.
16. Orenstein, Natalie (24 July 2024). "Touring the Posey Tube, a 100-year-old engineering feat connecting Oakland and Alameda". The Oaklandside. Retrieved 21 December 2024.
17. Lapan, Tovin (2 July 2024). "This week in Oakland: Mosswood Meltdown, 'The Art of Xicanx People' at OMCA and more". The Oaklandside. Retrieved 21 December 2024.

External links

• Oakland Heritage Alliance