On the Finding of a Treasure

Members of the Southern California Association of Camera Clubs had general cleanup of the Photographic Arts Building during the Spring of 2013.

SCACC and the member clubs had occupied the building since 1960. There was an incredible amount of material that had collected over the occupancy of SCACC and the member clubs. Much was thrown away; but an incredible collection of ephemera relating to camera clubs in Balboa Park was discovered.

The discoveries included:

• Slide collections from past members
• Prints mounted on 16x20 mat board
• Information on several past Dr. Scott Watson Memorial Salons
• Information of club rosters, some with dates
• Photographs of SCACC members
• Club letters and memos from Dr. Scott Watson
• Information about SCACC's involvement with the San Diego Fair
• Information about the pre-1960s Photographic Arts Building
• Several bits of notes, checks, bills, etc.
• And so much more

One treasure that was especially notable is a scrapbook entitled, "The Camera Enthusiasts / San Diego, California." It details the photographic salons and exhibitions held under the auspices of the Camera Enthusiasts. Much of the documentation come from newspaper clipping which are pasted into the book. I believe the book dates from 1927 to 1934.

The book itself is in poor condition. The binding is loose and near to falling off the pages it protects. The pages are brittle and brown with age. All information is readable. Much of the early timeline comes from this scrapbook.

Its source citation will be:
Camera Enthusiasts, San Diego,California Scrapbook, 1927-1934; Photographic Arts Building (1780 Village Place, San Diego, CA, 29101), Balboa Park, San Diego, CA; unknown creator.

Over the past year I have begun to curate this mass of information in a chronological order. My goals are the following:

• Protect the integrity of the ephemera
• Have the collection in a presentable order for viewing
• Create histories of the camera clubs
• Research and create biographies of the photographers
• Curate the mass of photographic transparencies
• Curate the numerous mounted photographs
• Interviews of club members
• Be a resource for other researchers
• Create a history for publication

There is no doubt that this will be a long project. Nonetheless, it is a worthwhile endeavor that will cover not only a slice of San Diego and Balboa Park history; but also bring attention to the men and women who created something very special.