Torrey pines are a rarity in the world of trees, and the La Jolla Historical Society’s next exhibit will look at the people who stood by them and rallied to protect the trees and the land they stand on.
“Rare Trees, Sacred Canyon: Torrey Pines—San Diego’s Symbol of Conservation” chronicles a key event in the history of the 1,500-acre protected area in north La Jolla known today as Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve . It also reveals a little-known effort to save North America’s rarest trees from extinction on the San Diego coast. It is one of only two places in the world where this tree grows in its natural habitat (the other being Santa Rosa Island off the coast of Santa Barbara).
The exhibit opens Saturday, February 11th at Wisteria Cottage on Prospect Street in La Jolla.
The opening marked the 100th anniversary of Torrey Pines Lodge, a gift from La Jolla philanthropist Ellen Browning Scripps in February 1923.
“Ellen Browning Scripps played a key role in saving the Torrey Pines Reserve and funded the Torrey Pines Lodge so they could hold an exhibition near their former home. [what is now the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego on Prospect Street] It makes sense,” said exhibition co-curator Peter Jensen.
La Jolla philanthropist Ellen Browning Scripps played a key role in the establishment of Torrey Pine Park, purchasing a significant parcel where the torrey pines thrive in their native habitat.
(La Jolla Historical Society)
The exhibition, which honors Scripps and other supporters who fought for the reserve, presents paintings, postcards, photographs and documents, along with historical timelines and stories of the tory pines and the local parks where they grow. , “weirdness” is on display, Jensen said.
“I thought it would be a good opportunity to tell how the park came to be and what citizens have done to make it happen,” said Jensen. “It was not a government agency that intervened. The park has a long legacy of civic action. We hope this takeaway will be a deeper appreciation for the park.”
According to the Torrey Pines State Nature Preserve website, reserves are protected areas intended to protect endangered plants, animals, habitats, or unique geological formations that are not shared by other parks. comes with unseen limitations.
Other proponents include the scientist Charles Parry (for whom the name Parry Grove). He explored the reserve in the 1850s for coal and the “rare pines” rumored to be in the area.
“He was disappointed that no usable coal was found, but he was thrilled to find a previously unidentified pine seed,” said Jensen.
The exhibit includes notes and other documents from Parry’s diaries.
Newsletter
Get La Jolla Light in your inbox every week
Free La Jolla news, features and sports every Thursday
You may receive promotional content from La Jolla Light.
By the 1900s, people used the area to camp, chop firewood, and collect holiday decorations, making the need to protect the trees more prevalent than ever. Locals created an organization to protect an area housing “America’s rarest conifers,” and the group paid signatures to fight for the city of San Diego to designate the area as a park.
“San Diegans came to life and realized what a special place this place was, not just because of its rarity and beauty, but because it was the gateway to the city,” said Jensen. “The history of Torrey Pines is people stepping up like that.”
The exhibit will tell the stories of the people who saved the park from planned development that put roads and other infrastructure in reserves. We also pay tribute to the Doxents who patrol the area daily to keep it in good shape.
“The Docent is there every day to weed out invasive species to protect native species like wildflowers. So if you can go there and admire some of the flowers, it’s thanks to Docent “This exhibit is a celebration of this civic action.”
Works on display include paintings and drawings by artists who took inspiration from the reserve and used it to increase their awareness and enthusiasm for space.
“Nature inspires art, and art helps us appreciate nature,” said Jensen. “Art is at the forefront of showcasing the beauty of places. [In the exhibition] See a collection of historical and contemporary art from artists who have painted Torrey Pines over the years. ”
Among them is the early California Impressionist painter Alfred Mitchell. His work has not been published for many years. Tsuyoshi Matsumoto has spent the last decade of his life living in his hoya and making it his mission to create art based on Tory his pine. Sculptor and watercolourist James Hubbell, who has done hundreds of paintings on the reserve. Postcards for decades. more.
Local artists sought inspiration in the park now known as Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve. The park was also a popular destination for outdoor oil painting classes.
(San Diego History Center)
“I hope two kinds of people will appreciate this show: those who know or think they know everything about the reserve and who still have a lot to discover. Some people don’t know the ward very well,” said Jensen.
Lauren Lockhart, executive director of the La Jolla Historical Society, said she “learned so much about the reserve” from the show.
“While I have hiked the reserve and appreciate its beauty, the history of the threats it has experienced and the history of the people who have cared for it and made sure it is protected as this beautiful wild space. I didn’t recognize the community.
“I hope people have a better understanding of our history and what it can contribute to the wider context. I hope you’re wondering how does protect those spaces.”
The collection helps “tell the story of how this site has been a source of inspiration for hundreds of years.” , an interesting range.”
“Unusual Trees, Sacred Canyon: Torrey Pines — Symbols of San Diego’s Conservation”
when: February 11 (Sat) – May 28 (Sun)
Where: La Jolla Historical Society’s Wisteria Cottage Gallery, 780 Prospect St.
time: Wednesday to Sunday noon to 4pm
cost: free
information: lajollahistory.org ◆
