H78.86.63

Photograph.Image is of light colored, multi-story combination Queen Anne and Stick-Eastlake Victorian home. Trim painted a darker color; three Gothic windows ascending RIGHT to LEFT center front of structure. Sprinkler system on in foreground. Large light globe on in lower right window. "Treadwell Mansion, 5212 Broadway, Oakland, (College of Arts and Crafts)." (G. Weininger, 5/2002) from donor file: These photographs were commissioned by the Junior League as a record of their survey of historic buildings in Alameda and Contra Costa Counties which began in October 1967 and ran for five years. All buildings were erected prior to 1917 and were chosen after a block by block search of every town in the two counties. The photographer for all of these photographs was Dave Bohn. A book was published in 1971 by the League entitled EAST OF THESE GOLDEN SHORES: ARCHITECTURE OF THE EARLIER DAYS IN CONTRA COSTA AND ALAMEDA COUNTIES. An exhibit with the same title was hosted by the Oakland Museum History Dept. from Nov.5, 1971 to Jan.30, 1972 but included only 56 of the 125 buildings. (G. Weininger, 6/2002, from Oakland Heritage Alliance News, fall 1987, pp.1-7 by Annalee Allen): CCAC was first opened in Berkeley in 1907 by Frederick Wilhelm Henry Meyer as the California Guild of Arts and Crafts; Meyer "wanted to create a practical arts curriculum, one that would prepare the student to work for a living." The school grew rapidly, changing locations in Berkeley three times before moving to the former Treadwell estate in Oakland in 1926. Students helped with clearing and planting on the four acres, and with remodeling the house and building the college's Guild Hall. In 1936 the school was renamed California College of Arts and Crafts, with Meyer maintaining the original principles of "practicality and thrift as well as beauty." The original mansion, now known as Macky Hall, and the carriage house have been preserved much as they were in the 19th century and in1977 were placed on the National Register of Historic Places and designated as Oakland landmarks. HISTORY GUILD NEWS August & September 1995 California College of Arts and Crafts Where Art and History Meet Alexandra Gautraud- Editor About 1879, William Elmer Hale, who later became sheriff of Alameda County and warden of San Quentin, bought a five-acre parcel of land from Vicente Peralta that later included today's California College of Arts and Craft's campus. For years he grumbled about the $500 price. There is no known record of when Hale built a house on the hill overlooking Broadway or who drew up the plans. After a succession of owners the property was finally purchased by James Treadwell who with his brother John had founded the fabulous Alaska Treadwell Mining Company of Juneau. The brothers had taken millions out of their mining operation before they decided to sell their holdings and return to the more temperate climate of San Francisco. In 1923 Frederick H. Meyer acquired the property and buildings for $60,000 as a new location for his School of Arts & Crafts, which had been housed on a small Berkeley Campus. Conversion of the mansion and surrounding buildings began immediately. The then deteriorating estate was overgrown with weeds and in desperate need of repair. Meyer, besides being an art historian and teacher, was a horticulturist and landscaped the campus by adding many plant varieties that survive to this day. Slowly the house and grounds regained their former luster as students, faculty and alumni shouldered the responsibility for restorations. Meyer and a group of students painstakingly moved the carriage house uphill to a new location. The relocated carriage house has served generations of students and today contains classrooms and a drawing studio. During the period from 1922 to 1926, students walked or took the trolley between the Berkeley campus and the new Oakland quarters. Classes were held on the lower floors of the mansion, while Frederick Meyer, his wife Laetitia and daughter Babs took up residence on the third floor. Outstanding among the early faculty were Perham W. Nahl, Isabelle Percy West and Xavier Mrtinez, each of whom taught 15 hours a week for the meager salary of $50 per month. Another early faculty member and second president of the college was Eric Spencer Macky, who was honored on Founder's Day 1975 when the Treadwell mansion was named Macky Hall. Macky began his association with the California College of Arts and Crafts in1913 before the school moved to its present location. Macky's students included such well-known personages as architect Timothy Pflueger, illustrator Howard Brodie, painter Howard Atherton and the famous Mexican muralist Orozco. Macky played a significant role in the promotion of art in the Bay Area until his death in 1958. The college has produced artists and designers who have had an impact on the contemporary art movement. Robert Arneson and Peter Voulkos were primary leaders of the "Ceramics Revolution" which brought the acceptance of ceramics as a fine art. Also from the college are artists Richard Diebenkorn, Nathan Oliveira, Manel Neri, Viola Frey, Louis Siegriest, Philip Morsberger and Raymond Saunders, all of whom have placed their mark on our culture. The College of Arts and Crafts is located at 5212 Broadway. Macky Hall, the Treadwell mansion, which is listed in the National Register of Historic Places and serves as the administrative offices for the gardens, the Good n'Plenty Caf_ and the college art gallery are open to the public.