President and CEO Woody LaBounty confirmed to SFGATE that tours will be suspended until the end of the year, as the museum is “pausing” to assess its dire financial situation. Scheduled private events will still be held.
LaBounty said the coronavirus pandemic has been tough on the agency, with visitor numbers never recovering and many funding sources cut.
Three employees were removed. “To make sure we’re here for the long term, we have to make some short-term staff reductions,” said LaBounty, SF Heritage’s only remaining staff member. “We will not be closing.”
advertisement
Article continues below this ad
The grand Queen Anne mansion was built in 1886 and designed by architect Peter R. Schmidt for William and Bertha Haas. The mansion remained in the possession of the Haas Lilienthal family until 1973, when he turned the 11,500 square foot mansion over to the San Francisco Architectural Heritage Foundation, now known as SF Heritage.
The house became the headquarters for a nonprofit organization, and the space became a museum focused on Victorian architecture. Guided tours are held for the public several times a month, and it has also hosted many private events, including weddings.
It is a designated San Francisco landmark and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
advertisement
Article continues below this ad
This house is completely closed off on Google Maps, Instagram post The following was written on the family account. Thank you, Haas Lilienthal House! ”
“The house will be open again. I want to make this my second SF home,” LaBounty said. “It’s just a sad day.”