BALBOA PARK'S CULTURAL COTTAGES     A message from our President

As the president the House of Pacific Relations International Cottages, Inc. (“HPR”), I have the exact same sentiment with Mr. Franklin D. Roosevelt, the 32nd President of the U.S., concerning this treasured organization mentioned in his speech at the opening ceremony of the California Pacific International Exposition at Balboa Park in 1935: “This organization must never be allowed to die, and must be perpetuated” in hope to continually preserve its non-partisan/political, non-dissident mission of the HPR.

HPR was devised during the gloomy days leading up to World War II as a means to promote pacific (meaning “peaceful” in character or intent) relations among many fractured ethnic groups in the 1930s. As the spirit of peaceful mission captured in its name, the HPR is a place to invite nations “to live together and play together in the spirit of good fellowship that can knit them together more closely than societies that use the form of debate to provoke disagreements. Cohabiting in a small corner of the park, volunteering side by side, the HPR members shared their cultures -- music, dance, art, and food -- with each other and the community as a whole while cultivating tolerance, mutual trust, and solidarity in and outside the organization.

For the past 88 years, the HPR has evolved into a nearly ideal multicultural organization. Pursuant to its Bylaws, “The purpose of the HPR and its members is to create a spirit of understanding, tolerance, and goodwill among the various national and ethnic groups represented in the community.” The Bylaws further states that, the HPR will present educational, civic, cultural, and artistic programs to generate a greater appreciation and awareness for the cultural heritage of the variegated national or ethnic groups among the HPR members. Since its inception, the HPR has become a palisade of peace, hope and tolerance to millions of San Diegans and visitors around the world while the rest of the world has been entangled in discord and mutual suspicion. We assure that group meeting requirements set forth is unbiased and blinded to race, creeds, colors, religions, national origins, political affiliations, and other external influences.

The message remains unchanged since 1935. The HPR has grown for the past 88 years from 15 to 31 diverse cultures presently. Despite numerous Houses formed and dissolved, all has been able to share and learn from each other, forsaking their political differences, celebrating diversity of their cultural heritages. With the mission of cultivating cultural understanding, we welcome all cultural groups whether from war-torn and strife-ridden corners of the globe or from relatively peaceful areas.

In most recent 7 years, I’ve seen three HPR House Members close their cottages due to active members falling below the minimum requirement of 25. The recent declining members appear to have been contributed by perspectives, worldviews, and social culture of the new, younger generation. We need to explore and study the matter further to formulate strategies, solutions, and/or mitigants in order to continue this organization’s mission and survival. HPR also has recently modified the wording in our Bylaws reflecting that Houses Members are not no longer actual countries but different cultures and history in efforts to welcome all to the HPR with a caveat that the House Members comply with our Bylaws and Standing Rules.

In order to become a Member House, the prospect House needs to go through a rigorous process. Prior to applying for membership, the group needs to be organized as a non-political, non-sectarian, non-profit group for at least 6 months; and the prospect House bylaws have to comply with the Bylaws and Standing Rules by which the HPR is governed. The prospect House will be on probationary status for one year, before it became our newest Member House. This is the same process to which all the current and former Member Houses have adhered.

In 2021, construction was completed on nine additional cottages, and they were able to open to the public. Even before breaking ground, all nine Houses already held their membership in the HPR and participated in HPR activities. The new buildings now afford them a permanent physical presence in Balboa Park. Each Member House had the opportunity to participate in concerted efforts to persuade the City of San Diego to construct new cottages, raised the funds for the construction, and realized their collective dreams. After much hard work and considerable investments by all members, sponsors, and donors of all nine new cottages, they will continue this 88-year tradition along with the rest of HPR Member Houses for the next generation.

Come join us any Saturday or Sunday in Balboa Park to enjoy music, sample ethnic foods, watch ethnic dancers, and experience the cultural diversity, harmony, and cooperation that is the HPR.

Sincerely,
Inki Welch
President House of Pacific Relations.

ABOUT US

The House of Pacific Relations (HPR), founded in 1935, is a not-for-profit community organization dedicated to furthering cooperation and understanding between national groups in the United States.

HPR consists of 32 national and cultural groups, many of which have their own small cottage in San Diego’s Balboa Park. These cottages, furnished and staffed by group members, offer visitors a delightful window into each country’s culture, history and traditions. The cottages are open to the public every Saturday and Sunday afternoon for five hours between 11am and 5:00 PM. Refreshments are served and donations are welcomed to defray costs.

On Sunday afternoons between March and mid-November, Lawn Programs and other Special Events are held on the outdoor stage in the cottage area for one hour beginning at 2:00 PM. Each national group has its own Lawn Program featuring the songs and dances of that nation.

Twice a year, HPR sponsors major festivals. The Ethnic Food Fair features food, drink and entertainment from all of our national groups. The cottages also hold our International Christmas Festival as our participation in Balboa Park December Nights, the first Friday and Saturday nights of December, with food and festivities inspired by winter holidays from around the world.

The Hall of Nations adjoins the cottage area and features exhibits of national groups. The Hall is open on certain Sundays (see schedule), by cultural groups that do not have a cottage of their own. The Hall of Nations is also available for rental by outside groups when not in use by the cottages.

In addition, a few of the cottages are open from 12:00 -2:00 PM on the fourth Tuesday of each month.

HPR sponsors an HPR Auxiliary for HPR members and their guests that meets on the second Wednesday of most months and features an inexpensive luncheon hosted by the HPR cottages.

HPR also sponsors a cultural and educational service organization for young members of the Houses. The HPR Queens Organization fosters a spirit of understanding, tolerance and goodwill between all races and nationalities, and prepares its members to be adult members of their Houses. The Queens act as "goodwill ambassadors" of HPR and present the music and dance of various ethnic groups at events throughout San Diego County.

HPR also supports the school system by opening when they schedule field trips to the cottages. Schedule to bring your class to the cottages. We also participate in school fairs, etc. Please send an email to schools@sdhpr.org to make arrangements for these events.

Please visit us soon! For more information, call (619) 234-0739 or email info@sdhpr.org.

Co-sponsored by: City of San Diego Department of Parks and Recreation.