Preservation Sacramento

10/07/2026

Support the Lavender Heights Historic District!
Today: Send Email to City Council & Staff!

Friday October 9, 8:00 AM, 1401 21st Street:
Ask Midtown Association to Support the Lavender Heights Historic District!

The City of Sacramento is in the process of considering whether to designate Lavender Heights as an official historic district, as part of its LGBTQ+ Historic Experience Project. However, several members of Midtown Association (the Business Improvement District that includes Lavender Heights) have expressed opposition to listing, and have asked Midtown Association to formally oppose the city's efforts to list the district.

What are their concerns? Some owners of non-contributing properties within the district are concerned that the district will limit what they can build on their properties. However, Lavender Heights is a cultural district, based on association with historic events and individuals, not architecture, and the proposed Historic District Plan clearly states that no limits or restrictions will be placed on non-contributing lots or buildings. Some owners of buildings within the district that were already listed historic landmarks have expressed opposition to what they perceive as greater restrictions, but these buildings were already landmarked for their architecture, and creation of the district would not add any more restrictions than those already in place.

What are the benefits? In addition to the fiscal advantages of listing, such as property taxes through the Mills Act and simplify building repairs using Historic Building Code, being a historic district is a proven way to encourage tourism, visitation, and investment. It legitimizes and codifies a district's history, and other Sacramento historic districts, both those listed for their architecture and for their cultural significance, have seen significant new infill development and population growth, while protecting the historic places that drew people to them in the first place.

Why is public support needed? If the City of Sacramento's principal feedback about the district is opposition, they are less likely to even advance the district to hearing, and less likely to vote in support of listing if it does go to hearing. By denying listing, the City of Sacramento would, in effect, declare that our city's LGBTQ+ history is not important or significant enough to be worthy of official recognition and protection. Public comment in support of listing the district helps demonstrate to city staff, the business community, and City Council that there is public support for listing Lavender Heights. City council respond to the will of the people--public support will encourage them to support the district.

Your voice is important--as Linda Birner of Mom Guess What once wrote, it's time to stop whispering and start shouting.

The Lavender Heights Historic District Survey and Historic District Plan are both available for public download and review.

Here’s how you can help —

First, use the text below (or write your own letter) to email the City’s preservation department and/or your City council member, Mayor, and Midtown Association!

Second, attend the Midtown Association's upcoming Board Meeting and ask them to support the Lavender Heights historic district!

Midtown Association Board Meeting
Friday, October 9, 8:00 AM-9:30 AM
Midtown Association Building
1401 21st Street, Sacramento CA 95811

Contact info for Preservation Director, Mayor, City Council and Midtown Association Executive Director following this email template:

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I am writing to express my strong support for designating Lavender Heights as a City of Sacramento historic district.

Lavender Heights has played a vital and enduring role in Sacramento’s LGBTQ+ history and remains an important cultural, social, and historic center for the community. Recognizing Lavender Heights as a historic district would honor the people, businesses, organizations, and places that helped build and sustain Sacramento’s LGBTQ+ community over generations.

Historic designation would help preserve this significant part of Sacramento’s history and ensure that Lavender Heights continues to be recognized and valued for its contributions to the city. I strongly urge the City of Sacramento to approve the proposed historic district designation.

Thank you for considering public input and for helping protect Lavender Heights for future generations.
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EMAIL THIS TO THE CITY'S PRESERVATION DIRECTOR
City of Sacramento Preservation Director, Sean deCourcy
[email protected]

And Cc: THIS TO YOUR CITY COUNCIL MEMBER AND THE MAYOR:

Mayor Kevin McCarty
[email protected]

District 1 Lisa Kaplan North Natomas, parts of Robla
[email protected]

District 2 Roger Dickinson Del Paso Heights, Woodlake, Old North Sacramento, Hagginwood, Robla
[email protected]

District 3 Karina Talamantes South Natomas, Gardenland, Northgate
[email protected]

District 4 Phil Pluckebaum Downtown, Midtown, Land Park, Upper Land Park, South Land Park
[email protected]

District 5 Caity Maple Oak Park, Hollywood Park, Curtis Park, Woodbine, Golf Course Terrace
[email protected]

District 6 Eric Guerra Tahoe Park, Elmhurst, Campus Commons, College/Glen, Avondale
[email protected]

District 7 Rick Jennings Pocket, Greenhaven, Valley Hi, Southern Meadowview
[email protected]

District 8 Mai Vang Meadowview (Northern portion), North Laguna, South Sacramento
[email protected]

And CC: THIS TO MIDTOWN ASSOCIATION'S EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Emily Baime Michaels, Executive Director, Midtown Association
[email protected]

(Historic Images: Image 1--From Sacramento's first Pride Parade, courtesy of Lavender Library, Michael P. Garten Collection. Image 2--The Bolt, 20th & J Street, Michael P. Garten Collection.

3--From Sacramento Bee, March on Sacramento for Le***an and Gay Rights, January 13, 1980, courtesy of Sacramento Public Library.)

09/20/2026

The ticket line at Washington Park looks long, but it's rapidly getting shorter! If you bought a prepaid ticket, it's waiting for you at the ticket booth; if you hadn't yet, they are for sale at the ticket booth! Beautiful weather for a street fair, the houses are open until 4 PM, but be sure to get here by 2 PM to have enough time to visit them all. Drewski's and Smoothie Patrol food trucks are up and running & there are picnic tables for lunch.

09/06/2026

Preservation Sacramento is once again a sponsor of Chalk It Up! Chalk It Up to Sacramento Our squares are near the corner of 15th & P Street, behind the stage. Tomorrow is the biggest day, when all the artwork is complete, with live music, food trucks, vendors, kid zone, and beautiful weather!

09/02/2026

Preservation Sacramento is once again a proud sponsor of Chalk It Up! Look for our square, promoting this year's 50th Annual Historic Home Tour, on the sidewalks of Fremont Park this weekend!

The 36th Annual Chalk It Up! Chalk Art & Music Festival is Labor Day Weekend, 9/5-9/7/2026, 10 am - 6 pm, at Midtown Sacramento's Fremont Park.

It's the most Sacramento thing you can do over Labor Day Weekend. Admission is free, fun for all!

08/16/2026

Our upcoming home tour features a notorious Sacramento property--one which has been transformed into a beautiful and loving place, whose owners hope to transcend its terrible history and celebrate its restored Queen Anne architecture--and the legacy of everyone else who called this house a home. Tickets are still on sale for our 50th historic home tour on September 20, when you can take a look inside and decide for yourself if, as a documentary declared, "The House Is Innocent."

‘The Innocent House’ is the subject of controversial fascination — and you can step inside next month

08/03/2026

Preservation Roundtable
Sacramento History Museum, 101 I Street, Old Sacramento
Saturday August 8, 9 AM-11 AM
In Conjunction with Sacramento History Museum's
Authors & Artists Event--Free Admission!

August 26's Preservation Roundtable takes place at the Sacramento History Museum, and will focus on recent businesses that have opened in Old Sacramento, as well as planned changes for the district. Roundtable registration also includes free admission to the Sacramento History Museum for the day, which will feature Sacramento area authors and artists:

The Sacramento History Museum will transform into a marketplace for the Authors and Artists event on Saturday, August 8th, from 10am to 3pm. Local authors will be featured, each showcasing their collection of books. While many will be historical, they will have baseball, mystery, science fiction, and something for everyone!

Some of our authors will entice the audience with a short talk about their inspirations, the stories, and answer visitor questions. Meet other local artist as well as you make your way through the marketplace.

Please come to collect the latest Nooligan baseball trading card celebrating our “Play Ball, Sacramento in the National Pastime exhibition.”

We offer two ticket prices--while we request a $5 donation to offset the cost of refreshments (provided by Pittador Brews, an Old Sacramento business), nobody will be turned away for lack of funds.

https://preservation-sacramento-44.wildapricot.org/event-6768007

07/30/2026

Would you like a chance to meet other folks in the community and an opportunity to learn more about the historic homes in this neighborhood? Sign up as a home tour volunteer or docent at Preservation Sacramento's 50th annual Historic Home Tour on Sunday, September 20, and you'll get all that as well as a free ticket for the entire tour!

Most volunteers work a single 2-hour shift. Street Fair volunteers assist with setting up and breaking down the street fair before and after the tour (held in Washington Park this year). They also may help at Preservation Sacramento’s ticket booth by selling tickets, handing out tour brochures, and giving visitors instructions on navigating the tour. House docents tell visitors about the histories and architectural features of the homes that are open to the public. Their preparation for that assignment includes a guided, pre-tour visit to the house where they will be working. This year there also may be some docent opportunities at the two public buildings featured in the tour, Washington Neighborhood Center and Washington Elementary School.

Many volunteer and docent assignments require the ability to walk or stand for most of the shift, but there are also assignments for individuals with limited mobility.

To sign up, fill out the form on the volunteer page of the Preservation Sacramento website (https://www.preservationsacramento.org/volunteer). In the information block, please write "home tour." You also can specify "house docent" or "street fair," if that is the assignment you prefer.

07/25/2026

Preservation Sacramento "Members Only" tour of the Woodland Opera House, followed by brunch at Kitchen428 in Woodland. Docents gave us a great tour of the Woodland Opera House, sharing stories of its construction, historic use, and restoration following a devastating fire. Members of Preservation Sacramento are periodically invited to visit unique historic sites throughout the city, but this may be our first Yolo County adventure in a long time, if ever! If you want an invitation to our next Members Only trip, as well as discounts on tickets for our Historic Home Tour and other special events, join Preservation Sacramento today!

07/06/2026

Preservation Sacramento
Member Meeting & Tour
Saturday July 11, 10 AM-Noon
Sojourner Truth African Heritage Museum
2251 Florin Rd. #126
Sacramento, CA 95822
Registration link in comments below

The Sojourner Truth African Heritage Museum, located in the Florin Business Arts Complex at the corner of 24th Street and Folsom Boulevard, was founded by artist Shonna McDaniels, a visual artist and community activist. She envisioned an institution to preserve Black history and celebrate the accomplishments of African American people and their legacy. This unique institution combines a history museum, whose scope includes national and international history alongside local history (such as artifacts from Dunlap's Dining Room) and exhibit space for contemporary art. We will provide coffee & pastries as part of the program.

Program:

* Mitchell Mark McCartney will present his ongoing project to document, explore and promote local LGBTQ+ history through his series of engaging, educational, and fabulous Instagram videos. This recently-launched series of videos has introduced local history to a whole new audience, and stretches from the Gold Rush to the emergence of Lavender Heights, planned to soon be listed as a City of Sacramento historic district.

* City of Sacramento planners Amy Yang and Faye Mingham will share updates regarding the city's General Plan and Zoning Consistency project, updating city codes to reflect changes to zoning and land use policy made by the city's 2040 General Plan Update.

* The latest news regarding Preservation Sacramento's 50th Annual Historic Home Tour, which will take place on September 20 and includes historic buildings located in both Old Washington School and New Washington School historic districts, on either side of 16th Street--the boundary between Downtown and Midtown--on the northern end of the central city.

* The event will conclude with a tour of the Sojourner Truth African Heritage museum.

07/01/2026

Preservation Sacramento
Historic Home Tour
Sunday, September 20, 10 AM-4 PM
Featuring Old and New Washington School Historic Districts:
Starting Point: Washington Park, adjacent to Washington Elementary School, 1631 F Street
Tickets: $30 for Preservation Sacramento members, $40 for non members
Ticket Link in Comments!

Preservation Sacramento's 50th Annual Historic Home Tour is scheduled for Sunday, September 20, 2026, and tickets are available now. The 2026 Historic Home Tour will showcase six historic properties associated with Old & New Washington School Historic Districts. Located in the heart of Sacramento’s central city and bounded by C, H, 12th, and 19th Streets, this is one of Sacramento’s oldest residential neighborhoods. The 2026 tour will highlight the neighborhood’s longtime and celebrated history with the Royal Chicano Air Force (RCAF), an internationally recognized collective of artists and activists that originated in Sacramento in the late 1960s.

The four residential properties on the 50th Annual Historic Home Tour date from the 1890s, three of which are located on F Street. The homes offer a sampling of housing types commonly found in Sacramento during this time period, ranging from very modest single-story cottages to large homes of two or three stories. As demand for affordable housing grew in this neighborhood, many of the single-family homes were divided into two or more apartments, and some became boarding houses, with furnished rooms for rent. These multi-occupant residences provided inexpensive housing for employees of local businesses and industries, such as the canneries and the railroad shops.

Washington Neighborhood Center

Part of Historic Home Tour
Located at 16th & D Streets, the Washington Neighborhood Center is also an important stop on the home tour. Built in 1927, this former tire store was repurposed as a youth center 30 years later and has recently been renovated.