Oakland Heritage Alliance facts for kids
The Oakland Heritage Alliance (OHA) is a special group in Oakland, California. It's a non-profit organization, which means it doesn't try to make money. Instead, OHA works hard to protect and save Oakland's amazing old buildings, important historical places, and beautiful natural areas. They do this by sharing information, teaching people, and taking direct action to help.
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How It Started
The Oakland Heritage Alliance began in 1980. It started with just $150 and seven people who really loved Oakland's history. These founding members were part of a project called the Oakland Cultural Heritage Survey. This project, funded by a state grant in 1979, helped find and record important historical sites in Oakland.
What OHA Does
The Oakland Heritage Alliance does many things to help preserve Oakland's heritage.
Awards for Preservation
- Partners in Preservation awards are given to encourage people and groups. These awards celebrate those who restore and bring new life to Oakland's historic homes, buildings, and neighborhoods. They also support smart ways to use old buildings for new purposes.
Exploring Oakland
- Walking tours focus on one neighborhood at a time. Anyone can join these tours, whether they are OHA members or not. The cost for these tours is on a sliding scale, meaning you pay what you can afford. Most walking tours happen on Saturdays and Sundays during the summer.
- Open house tours are similar to walking tours. However, they also give you a chance to see inside some private homes. Each home shows off a special architectural style common to the area of the tour.
Working with the City
- OHA also works with the city government. They help make sure that preserving Oakland's history is an important goal for the city.
Sharing News
- The Oakland Heritage Alliance publishes a quarterly newsletter. It's called OHA News and it shares updates and stories about their work.
How to Join
Anyone who is interested can become a member of the Oakland Heritage Alliance.
