History Talks! is a monthly lecture series presented by the Gaslamp Museum at the Davis-Horton House. Each month a local historian or specialist delve into topics related to San Diego and the Davis-Horton House to bring a unique glimpse into the history of our city. Come hear history come alive!
From Skid Row to the Heart of San Diego: The Transformation of the Gaslamp Quarter
Wayne Donaldson
2016
Alonzo Horton and the Founding of New Town
Richard Crawford, Head Librarian of Special Collections at the San Diego Central Library
July 12, 2017
Saving the Horton Grand from Destruction
Dan Pearson, Developer of the Horton Grand
January, 10, 2018
Kick Starting the Redevelopment of the Gaslamp Quarter
Maire Burke Lia, Land Use Attorney
February 7, 2018
The Gaslamp 1985-2018: How it Happened
Bill Keller, GQHF Board Member and Le Travel Store Owner
June 13, 2018
The Gaslamp Quarter: It Wasn’t Always This Way
Michael Stepner, Professor of Architecture and Urban Design at the New School of Architecture and Design
August 8, 2018
San Diego’s Palace of the Arts: The Magnificent Villa Montezuma
Louise Torio, Chair of the Friends of the VIlla Montezuma Museum
September 12, 2018
Macabre Victorians: Funerals, Fancies, and Fetishes
Sandee WIlhoit, GQHF Historian and Lead Tour Guide
Jamie Laird, GQHF Visitor Services Coordinator
October 10, 2018
Talk about Drama: Stories behind the Curtain at the Horton Grand Theatre
Kit Goldman, Founder of the Horton Grand Theatre
November 4, 2018
Balboa Park’s Two Great Expositions
Mike Kelly, President of the Committee of One Hundred.
January 9, 2019
Romantic Victorians: Dating, Marriage, and Love
Sandee Wilhoit, GQHF Historian and Lead Tour Guide
Jamie Laird, GQHF Visitor Services Coordinator
February 13, 2019
Patrolling the Stingaree
Rick Carlson and Steve Willard, The San Diego Police Historical Association
March 13, 2019
Street Scene: The Music Festival that Transformed the Gaslamp Quarter
Rob Hagey, Founder of Street Scene
Jimmy Parker, Producer of Street Scene
Michael Trimble, Executive Director of the Gaslamp Quarter Association
May 8, 2019
Live! The Colorful Characters of the San Diego’s Historic Gaslamp Quarter
The Gaslamp Players
July 10, 2019
Roger Showley’s San Diego Memories 1940-1960
Roger Showley, Former Union Tribune Reporter and Author
February 19, 2020
Casa Romantica Cultural Center and Gardens
Kathi Koehler, Director of Education and Volunteer Services
Lou Leto, Docent
October 29, 2020
People on the Plaques – Mt. Soledad National Veterans Memorial
Charlotte Perry, GQHF Volunteer
November 10, 2021
The Portuguese in San Diego
Evelyn Madruga-Barandiaran, Portuguese Historical Center Board Secretary
February 16, 2022