Many La Jollans turned out at the Wisteria House Friday, July 25 for La Jolla Historical Society’s debut of “By the Beautiful Sea: A Photographic History of Summers in La Jolla,” an exhibit of area snapshots taken between 1870 and 1930. But attendees happened upon unexpected news when Ellen Revelle, Wisteria House owner and niece of philanthropist Ellen Browning Scripps, announced she would donate the home to the society with her daughter, Mary Revelle Paci.
“The property was donated by Ellen Reville,” said John Bolthouse, La Jolla Historical Society executive director. “The home is over 100 years old. It was built in 1904. The historical society was leasing it for five years.”
According to Bolthouse, architect Irving Gill enclosed the cottage’s porch in 1909, adding 1,375 square feet. The home and surrounding property, including the site of the Museum of Contemporary Art, originally belonged to Scripps. Her half-sister Virginia lived at the Wisteria Cottage. Located at 780 Prospect Ave., the cottage was listed on the local historical register, Bolthouse said.
La Jolla Historical Society’s new photo exhibit includes 36 images taken by amateur photographers around La Jolla, mostly of the beaches, Bolthouse said. Admission is free.
“Most of them are unidentified but a lot are snapshots,” Bolthouse said of the photos chosen from more than 10,000 images La Jolla Historical Society has saved through the years.
During Friday’s reception, Revelle, widow of UCSD founder Roger Revelle, joined her daughter Paci to speak to historical society members about the cottage.
“We’re happy to tell you we’re giving Wisteria Cottage and all the property to La Jolla Historical Society,” Revelle said. “In fact, all the legal papers were signed this afternoon. We all want it to thrive.”
“One small proviso: We are retaining rights to the fruits of the fig tree,” she added.
The society began a $2 million campaign to renovate the cottage, including the main floor, painting and other interior work.
For more information about La Jolla Historical Society, go to www.lajollahistory.org. “A Photographic History of Summers in La Jolla” will run through Aug. 10.