When I first started this blog, my history bible for the neighborhood was a book called San Francisco’s Richmond District by Lorri Ungaretti.
Lorri’s book is full of great photos and history of the district, detailing our beginnings as the Outside Lands where sand ruled, to the Richmond becoming a destination for sin with road houses, race tracks and beer halls, to our current state as a fogged in, sleepy neighborhood of various ethnicities and generations.
Lorri was even kind enough to participate in a blog project with me last Fall. She starred as a historical expert in a humorous Halloween video where we revisited the Richmond District’s earliest residents, the cemeteries. She was a good sport and was full of great information and enthusiasm, both on camera and off.
So I was delighted to learn from the Inside the Outside Lands blog that on March 30, 2010, the San Francisco Board of Supervisors will honor Lorri Ungaretti as part of Women’s History Month. The theme for this year’s recognition is “Writing Women Back into History,” and Lorri’s excellent work as a chronicler of local history makes her a superb choice for the spotlight.
Apart from being a Richmond District historian, Lorri serves on the boards of the Western Neighborhoods Project and the San Francisco History Association. She has been a longtime volunteer for City Guides.
Supervisor Carmen Chu nominated Lorri, and the Board will recognize her along with other San Francisco women from the fields of ecology, art, politics and sports at City Hall on March 30 at 3:30pm. A reception will be held after in the North Light Court and is open to the public.
Congratulations, Lorri! As a Richmond District resident and local history buff, your work is greatly appreciated. So I’m thrilled that you’re getting some well deserved recognition.
Sarah B.
Congratulations to Lorri, a tireless worker to spread the word on the history of the Western side of San Francisco. She is a great choice for this honor.
Sarah, Thanks for the wonderful piece on me. I really enjoyed participating in (and watching) your movie last fall. In fact, it’s been great meeting so many interesting people in the Sunset and Richmond who have been so generous with their experiences and memories. Thanks to all of you who have made my history adventure so much fun!
My pleasure, Lorri! It was an easy piece to write. 🙂
Sarah B.