In 2006, the American Express Partners in Preservation initiative in the U.S. focused on the Bay Area whose astounding cultural diversity is reflected in the region's rich architectural heritage and enhanced by a natural setting of unparalleled beauty. Recognized throughout the world for its diverse heritage, civic spirit and cultural vitality, the Bay Area truly deserves to be a part of this exciting preservation effort.

In November, American Express and the National Trust for Historic Preservation announced that 13 San Francisco Bay Area historic sites had been selected as grant recipients. Congratulations to the First Church of Christ, Scientist, Berkeley for winning the popular vote -- as conducted on a special Web site established to encourage Bay Area residents to vote for, and exchange stories about, these unique sites. A short description of each follows.

First Church of Christ, Scientist
2619 Dwight Way, Berkeley, CA, 94704

Since 1910, famed architect Bernard Maybeck's spectacular Arts and Crafts-style church has stood in the heart of Berkeley. A National Historic Landmark since 1977, the building's preservation needs include a seismic upgrade of the Sunday School.

Maybeck's remarkable church is widely recognized as one of America's most architecturally significant churches, thanks to Maybeck's extensive use of natural wood, overhanging eaves, trellises and masterful landscaping. These unusual architectural features, once associated with the world of industry, became synonymous with the First Bay Region style of which Maybeck was the pioneer. The style was rooted in a set of distinct principles based on simplicity of expression and harmony with nature.

Its central Berkeley location and its proximity to the University of California, Berkeley, College of Design's extensive Maybeck archive make it an essential stop for local walking tours, as well as a mecca for architecture students and scholars of environmental and architectural design.

First Church of Christ, Scientist is still an active place of worship holding regular weekly services and free monthly tours. The 550-seat church auditorium and the 250-seat Sunday school building are used for concerts, weddings, lectures and a multitude of other events.

The Church's proximity to the Hayward earthquake fault places it in constant risk of further earthquake damage. Proposed renovations will shore up the building against future tremors.
 

Angel Island Immigration Station Angel Island From 1910 through 1940, Angel Island was the West Coast entry point for over one million immigrants from the Pacific Rim. This "Ellis Island of the West" needs structural repairs and a new roof for the World War II-era mess hall.		Casa Grande 21350 Almaden Road, New Almaden, CA 95042 This Federal Revival-style brick building maintains a mining museum that tells the storyof the National Historic Landmark New Alameda Quicksilver Mine District. Constructed in 1855 for the mine manager, Casa Grande needs interior and exterior restoration.
Cleveland Cascade Park Between 2250-2300 Lakeshore Avenue, Oakland, CA 94606 In 1923, the Park's main attraction was an elaborate cascading fountain with colored lights. The fountain, filled in and planted with rosemary since the 1950s, was rediscovered by the Oakland community in 2004. They hope to return it to its spectacular original operating condition.		Fallon Building (San Francisco LGBT Center) 1800 Market Street, San Francisco, CA 94102 Built in 1894, the Queen Anne-style Fallon Building survived the 1906 San Francisco earthquake and marks the furthest edge of the Great Fire's devastation on Market Street. Funding would be used for painting and outdoor illumination.
Fox Oakland Theater 1807 Telegraph Avenue, Oakland, CA 94612 Built in 1928, the Fox Oakland Theater is one of America's finest Art Deco movie palaces. Its restoration is vital for downtown Oakland. The theater is being renovated as a performing arts center for the Oakland School of the Arts.		Haas Lilienthal House 2007 Franklin St, San Francisco, CA 94109 Built in 1886, this impressive Queen Anne-style building is the only intact private home of the period that is regularly open as a museum with authentic furniture and artifacts. Goals are seismic strengthening, improving the roof and exterior, and improving handicapped access.
Pigeon Point Lighthouse Station 210 Pigeon Point Road, HWY 1, Pascadero, CA 94060 Thought to be the oldest lighthouse remaining on the West Coast and one of the tallest lighthouses in America, Pigeon Point boasts a renowned Fresnel lens comprised of over 1,000 prisms. The goal is to reopen this exceptional site to the public, by first restoring all of its windows.		Japanese YWCA Building 1830 Sutter Street, San Francisco, CA 94115 Celebrated architect Julia Morgan designed this homage to Japanese architecture in 1932. The only documented pre-war community building built by and for Japanese-American women, it needs exterior repairs, structural updating, and a new roof, as well as new windows and tiles.
Spreckels Temple of Music (GG Park Bandshell) Hawagawa Tea Garden Drive, San Francisco, CA Located in Golden Gate Park's Music Concourse and built in 1900, this beloved band shell has two colonnades of impressive ionic colums. The exterior stone, roof, and rosettes need restoration and the waterproofing needs updating.		Richmond Municipal Natatorium 1 East Richmond Avenue, Richmond, CA 94801 Locally known as "The Plunge", this 1925 structure houses one of the largest salt water pools in the world. Due to seismic safety concerns, it closed in 2001. To reopen this beloved civic space, renovation must start with seismic retrofitting.
Tilden Park Carousel Tilden East Bay Regional Park Each year 150,000 visitors enjoy this 1911 Herschell-Spillman "Menagerie Edition" carousel, one of two originals still operating. Restoring the hand-carved and painted animals, replacing the wood floor, and repairing the irreplaceable band organs are on the carousel's preservation agenda.		Tomales Town Hall 27150 Shoreline Highway (Hwy One), Tomales, CA 94971 One of the oldest continuously used public halls in California, this building played a significant and active role in Tomales' past - and is a mainstay of the rural West Marin village today. A partial new foundation, new retaining walls, and storm drainage control are planned.