House of Charm facts for kids
Side of the House of Charm
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| Location | Balboa Park, San Diego, California |
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The House of Charm is a really old and beautiful building in Balboa Park in San Diego, California. It was first built for a big fair called the Panama–California Exposition back in 1915. Like many buildings from that fair, it has a special look called Mission Revival architecture. It got its current name during another fair, the California Pacific International Exposition. Today, the House of Charm is home to the Mingei International Museum and also provides practice space for the Old Globe Theatre. It is officially recognized as a historic place on the National Register of Historic Places.
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San Diego's Big Fair: The Panama-California Exposition (1915–1916)
San Diego hosted the Panama-California Exposition in 1915. This fair celebrated the opening of the Panama Canal. San Diego wanted to show that it would be the first American port on the Pacific coast north of the canal.
Back in 1910, San Diego was a much smaller city. It had about 39,578 people. Nearby cities like Los Angeles and San Francisco were much larger. Even though San Diego was small, the Exposition was a huge success. It was so popular that it stayed open for a second year!
What the House of Charm Was Called Before
The building we now call the House of Charm had many different names. At first, it was called the Mining Building. It was meant to show off the many minerals found in the San Diego area. For a short time, it was also known as the "Arts and Crafts Building."
When the fair officially opened in 1915, it was called the "Indian Arts Building." When the fair continued into 1916, the exhibits changed. The building was renamed again, this time to the "Russia and Brazil Building." From 1917 to 1922, it was known as the "Science of Man Building." It displayed items and photos showing how humans developed. Later, it was used for snack stands and flower shows.
Saving the Fair Buildings
Bertram Goodhue was the main architect for the 1915–16 Panama-California Exposition. He thought the temporary buildings on Balboa Park's main street, El Prado, should be torn down. However, the people of San Diego wanted to keep them.
With help from the government, they fixed up the buildings in 1922 and 1933. This meant that most of the original buildings were ready to be used again. They were perfect for the second big fair in 1935.
Another Big Fair: The California Pacific International Exposition (1935–1936)
The California-Pacific International Exposition used many of the old buildings from the 1915–16 fair. These included the Science of Man Building. During this fair, from 1935 to 1936, the building was renamed the House of Charm. It has kept that name ever since.
In 1935, the House of Charm had shops selling women's clothes, jewelry, and makeup. It also had a drug store and a place to get refreshments. In 1936, its name changed one more time to the Palace of International Arts. This version featured beautiful gems and artifacts from around the world. Some were for sale, and some were just for display.
What Happened Later
People always wondered if the building was strong enough, as it was not meant to be permanent. Still, it was used throughout the 1940s and 1950s. Different groups used it, like the Model Railroad Museum and the San Diego Hall of Champions. The San Diego Men's Art Club, which later became the San Diego Art Institute, also used the building.
In 1978, the building was declared unsafe and everyone had to leave. But the San Diego Art Institute moved back in after sprinklers were put in. In the 1980s, many groups wanted to use the building. However, none could afford the repairs it needed.
Finally, in 1989, the city of San Diego decided to tear down and rebuild the House of Charm. The House of Hospitality was also rebuilt because it was in bad shape. The new House of Charm opened on September 21, 1996. Its outside looks exactly like the original, with all its fancy decorations. Today, the building is home to the San Diego Art Institute, the Mingei International Museum, and rehearsal space for the Old Globe Theatre.
Mingei International Museum
The Mingei International Museum shows the beauty of everyday objects. It features folk art, craft, and design from all times and cultures. The word "mingei" means 'art of the people.' It was created by a Japanese scholar named Sōetsu Yanagi. He combined the Japanese words for 'all people' (min) and 'art' (gei).
Yanagi taught people that it's important to make and use things that show creativity and skill. The Mingei International Museum started in 1978. It collects, protects, and displays these useful arts. These include items made by unknown craftspeople from long ago. It also features works from traditional cultures and by modern designers.
Images for kids
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Side of the House of Charm
