AAPS KIDS

Alameda has special buildings that have been declared Monuments, our local name for what are generally called landmarks. These 29 places have been thoroughly researched and officially designated, first by the Historical Advisory Board and second by the City Council. To increase awareness of this precious architectural legacy, the AAPS Education Committee has organized a contest that challenges elementary students (grades 1-5) to learn about our Monuments. The goal is that their understanding can lead to a enjoyment of the visual delights of vintage architecture and a lifelong commitment to historic preservation. That is the hope of committee chair and new AAPS President Erich Stiger, who has a ready-made audience in his own home with three students in Alameda public schools. Other committee members—Johanna Hall, Corri Jimenez, Lucy King, and Judith Lynch—agree.

City Monuments and historic houses have intrigued Alameda youth for years. Since 1998, many classes have celebrated homes built here during the era of Queen Victoria in an annual show at the Alameda Museum. A few years back, the movement to restore City Hall’s original monumental clock tower caught the imagination of students at Washington School. They built an 8 foot high model of City Hall complete with tower; it was composed of hand painted wooden rectangles that mimicked bricks glued onto a tall plywood base. Their model with its tower was displayed at the Elk’s Lodge when San Francisco Chronicle architectural critic Allan Temko gave a compelling speech: “In Alameda–a city of families—restored Monuments provide a wonderful lesson for the children. I hope you noticed the model of City Hall done by second graders at Washington School. They donated their cookie money to restore the tower; $23.10 is a lot if you are seven years old. They even wrote a poem about it! When children are educated to see and appreciate the fine architecture in this community, they will not be satisfied with mediocre buildings, nor will they support destruction of their heritage.” As his finale, Temko read the student’s poem in celebration of City Hall. To highlight their interest in the restoration of one of our most important buildings, the kids held a parade and trucked their model to City Hall. There they serenaded Mayor Appezatto with “The Alameda Anthem,” while sporting “Tower Power” hats.

The AAPS committee is betting that Alameda students will also become enthralled by our other Monuments, which range from an unassuming Italianate on 9th Street to the gigantic Del Monte Warehouse hulking over Pacific Avenue. The contest has two categories based on grade level, and classroom, team, family, and individual entries are all encouraged. Winners will be part of the 15th annual AAPS Historic Preservation Awards ceremony in the late spring and will be featured in Preservation Press and elsewhere.

Teachers, parents, students: For more information, visit the AAPS website where you will find contest details and a list of Alameda monuments in alphabetical order. You can also email us at aapskids at alameda-preservation.org or use the form below. Would your business like to co-sponsor the contest or offer prizes? Please call Johanna Hall at 510.701.9392.

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