“Ever wonder where the first U.S. Fish and Wildlife personnel called home from 1954 to 1964?” That was right here at the Old Director’s House, also known as T-16. It is located at 2150 Naga Lane. This house is a part of the Scripps Institution of Oceanography.
The Old Director’s House T-16 has witnessed significant history. It is a key piece of the Scripps Institution. The Heritage Committee plays a crucial role here. They focus on historic buildings like the Old Director’s House. The committee ensures these buildings are maintained.
The SIO Heritage Committee was formed to preserve such places. Robert Hessler and Deborah Day were the first chairs. They documented the committee’s work. This included maintaining the Old Director’s House. They also looked after the Old Scripps Building. The Heritage Committee ensures the historic character is maintained.
Before the Heritage Committee, there was the Old Scripps Committee. Fred Noel Spiess led this earlier group. This committee successfully restored the Old Scripps Building. They ensured its continued use by 1988. Recognizing the importance of historical preservation, they suggested a new committee.
The new Heritage Committee would act as a watchdog. It would oversee the Old Scripps Building. It would also administer the Ritter Memorial Fellowship. SIO Director Ed Frieman supported this idea. The Heritage Committee was officially established in May 1988.
The Heritage Committee had several important tasks. They had to maintain historic buildings. They supported open houses at the Old Scripps Building. They also served as a history resource for marine sciences. The committee also managed the Ritter Memorial Fellowship fund. Mr. and Mrs. Robert Cody established this fund.
The records of the SIO Heritage Committee are valuable. They include documents from Hessler and Day. These records detail the committee’s establishment. They also cover the Ritter Memorial Fellowship. The records document the maintenance of the Old Scripps Building and the Old Director’s House T-16.
Correspondence and meeting notes provide insight. They showcase the committee’s activities. These documents highlight reports to the SIO Staff Council. These efforts ensure the preservation. The Old Director’s House T-16 stands as a reminder of the past.