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'History of Medicine' frescoes at UCSF recommended for landmark status; UCSF outlines conservation plan
Summary
The Land Use & Transportation Committee voted to forward an ordinance recommending landmark status for Bernard Zakheim's "History of Medicine in California" fresco cycle at UCSF's Tolland Hall, and UCSF said it selected a contractor to conserve, remove, and store the murals while planning for future public display.
The Land Use & Transportation Committee advanced a landmark designation for Bernard Zakheim's "History of Medicine in California" frescoes in Tolland Hall on the UCSF Parnassus campus and voted to forward the ordinance to the full Board with a recommendation.
Pilar LaValle of the Planning Department presented the landmark nomination, saying the 10 pictorial panels and two descriptive panels—painted by Bernard Zakheim and assistant Phyllis Wrightson from 1936 to 1938—are significant for their New Deal-era workmanship and association with the Works Progress Administration-era federal art projects. The Historic Preservation Commission unanimously recommended designation and advised that the fresco cycle be kept together and remain on UCSF's Parnassus Heights campus in a manner accessible to the public.
UCSF Vice Chancellor Brian Newman said the university is neutral on the ordinance but reported practical conservation steps: UCSF issued a request for proposals, selected Architectural Resource Group Conservation Services as the general contractor and architect of record, and engaged SCI-Arc to produce high-quality digital recordings of the murals. Newman said the contractor cannot mobilize fully until January (due to other commitments) and that removal and relocation of the murals will likely occur the following summer, with contract work completing around October 2021. Newman emphasized UCSF's stated intention not to keep the works in storage permanently and said the university will work with stakeholders to determine an appropriate future display venue—either on the UCSF campus or in a museum.
Preservation advocates urged the committee to use the ordinance's specificity to ensure the murals remain publicly accessible at Parnassus. Woody Labowney of San Francisco Heritage said while UCSF described intentions, there was no publicly announced plan guaranteeing future public display; he called on UCSF and supervisors to ensure the murals are conserved and returned to public view at the site of creation.
On a roll-call motion, the committee voted to send the ordinance to the full Board with a recommendation (three ayes). The full Board will consider the measure at a later date.
