Chris VerPlanck periodically volunteers his time to take part in various community preservation projects, ranging from assisting activists to formulate strategies to save treasured local landmarks, to lectures, to actual "bricks and mortar" restoration projects.

When he has time, VerPlanck loves to delve into local history topics. Pro bono research projects include histories of San Francisco’s McLaren Park and Hawk Creek Farm in the city’s Mission Terrace neighborhood. 

Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions about any of these projects or if you need help with your own project. If we have the time and the interest we might just jump in!

One of VerPlanck's first volunteer projects was the completion of the Dogpatch Neighborhood Survey for the Dogpatch Neighborhood Association in the early 2000s. »More on this project.

In 2010, VerPlanck presented a paper commemorating the Centennial of the construction of the Mechanics' Institute Building, where his office was located from 2010 until 2021. »More on this project.

In 2012, Mr. VerPlanck presented a lecture and slideshow on the history of the historic preservation movement in San Francisco at the 40th anniversary of San Francisco Heritage gala at the San Francisco Art Institute. »VIEW PDF

In 2009, VerPlanck led a successful effort to save the famous Tonga Room from being demolished as part of a luxury condo conversion project at the Fairmont Hotel in 2010. While he was involved with the Tonga Room research, he gave several lectures and slideshows on the history of Polynesian Pop/Tiki in San Francisco. »More about this project.

In 2005-06, VerPlanck worked with other members of the Western Neighborhoods Project to restore an earthquake refugee shack in time for the Centennial of the 1906 Earthquake. This structure, which is now located at the San Francisco Zoo, was temporarily relocated to Market Street as a focal point of the festivities.

In 2008, Mr. VerPlanck assisted the India Basin Neighborhood Association designate the Shipwright's Cottage as a local landmark in 2008. »More on this project.

Around the same time, he helped residents of the Western Addition head off a project that would have demolished the historic Harding Theater, which was later converted into a successful video arcade and bar.

LECTURES

In recent years, VerPlanck has given several lectures on the New Deal in San Francisco, a history of the Hibernia Bank Building, and a history of San Francisco’s Scandinavian community. The following is a partial list of lectures that VerPlanck has given.

“The New Deal in the San Francisco Presidio,”
Presidio Historical Society, 2024

“Scandi-by-the-Bay: a History of San Francisco’s Scandinavian Communities, 1848-2023,” San Francisco Scandinavian School and Cultural Center, 2023

“Restoring the Hibernia Bank,” California Preservation Foundation, 2020

“The New Deal in San Francisco,” San Francisco Heritage, 2019

“From Downtown to Dogpatch: 40 Years of San Francisco Architectural History,” San Francisco Architectural Heritage, 2012

“From Trad’r Sam to Smugglers Cove: A History of Polynesian Pop and Tiki Culture in San Francisco: 1937-2011,” San Francisco Architectural Heritage, 2011

“A Century of Service – History of the Mechanics’ Institute Commission,” Mechanics’ Institute Centennial Celebration, San Francisco, 2010

“Bayview-Hunters Point Historic Context Statement Findings,” Community Meeting, Bayview Branch Library, San Francisco, 2009

“Sitting Pretty in Daly City – Henry Doelger’s Westlake Subdivision,” Society of Architectural Historians Annual Conference, Cincinnati, OH, 2009

“Modernism on Trial – The Los Angeles Civic Center,” California Preservation Foundation Annual Conference, Hollywood, CA, 2007