What's the Future of the Michael White Adobe?

After several years of the historic Michael White Adobe on land going mostly unused, a study is underway to explore the landmark's future. 

The feasibility study is being done by a group of consultants and a historic preservation architect and costs $10,000, half of which was awarded by the National Trust, while the other half was matched by the San Marino Historical Society, according to John Morris, President and Vice Chairman of the Friends of the Michael White Adobe.

"We are bound by the laws surrounding school districts and how schools operate and we cannot use the adobe for anything that doesn't pass the state Department of Architects guidelines," said superintendent Gary Woods. "We are not allowed to use the adobe for any school function whatsoever."

Friends of the Michael White Adobe, a group of about 20 people including school district employees and concerned citizens, was created last fall when the SMUSD asked former mayor and San Marino Historical Society member Eugene Dryden to form a committee of citizens to look into options for the Michael White Adobe.

The results of the study will be reported in August 2011 and will help determine a plan and any associated costs for the adobe. Since the Michael White Adobe is on SMUSD land, the school district ultimately needs to approve any plans for its use.

Woods said he "couldn't guess" the cost to restore the building and execute any other plans that may result from the study, but said any funds would come from donations, grants and the trust.

"It's a historic building and would have to be something that relates to history," said Woods. "A Hall of Fame concept that recognizes athletics and the arts and our academic success would be very appropriate and we would also have an area that represents the adobe and the whole story of Michael White."

Previously, the Michael White Adobe housed records for the San Marino Historical Society until the group acquired their space at the Thurner House in Lacy Park.

"More than anything else, over the last 20 years I would say [the Michael White Adobe] has been ignored," said Morris. "I think there's been a sense that it's more of a liability than an asset."

Woods attributed the Michael White Adobe's sparse use over recent decades to the strict guidelines the district must follow since the adobe is a historical structure.

An open house held at the Michael White Adobe in October was the first time the space had been open to the public in several years.

"People enjoyed seeing lights on and the exhibits inside," said Woods. Many individuals claimed they had never been in the Adobe—they'd seen it from the outside but had never been inside. It starts a conversation about history."

The Michael White Adobe was built between 1843 and 1845 and is named after Michael White, or Miguel Blanco, one of the founding pioneers of Southern California, according to Friends of the Michael White Adobe member Jane Pojawa.

"There has probably been more progress on the Adobe in the last two years than there has in the last 20 years—maybe 30 years," said Woods.

The Friends of the Michael White Adobe will make periodic presentations to the SMUSD board—the next one is in a little over two months—while the district awaits the feasibility study results.