About us
The Gaslamp Quarter Historic Foundation was formed by civic leaders Tom and Dorothy Hom and others who were devoted to preserving the rich architectural, cultural, and historic events of San Diego's diverse ethnic groups, indigenous and immigrant, who lived, worked, and struggled to help shape San Diego to what it is today. The Foundation is dedicated to the discovery, preservation, and sharing of this rich multicultural history through exhibitions, educational programs, public presentations, youth programs, collaboration, and cultural-art festivals for San Diegans and future generations. GQHF manages the Gaslamp Museum on behalf of the city of San Diego and is a nonprofit corporation recognized by the IRS as a 501 (c)(3) tax-exempt entity.
The Gaslamp Quarter Historical Foundation (GQHF) is led by an active Board of Directors that provides vision and leadership, sets policy and oversees the organization’s financial health. A professional staff carries out board policies and manages the day-to-day operations of the Foundation and the Museum.
The Foundation operates from the oldest building in downtown San Diego, the Davis-Horton House Museum, a repository of artifacts, photos and archives that we preserve for residents and visitors from around the world to enjoy.
Meet our
Board of Directors
The Gaslamp Quarter Historical Foundation is managed by a dedicated Board of Directors. Each has a wealth of knowlege on a variety of pertinent subjects and brings their eduction and eperience to advancing our mission.
Dr. Gil Ontai
2026 Board President
Helvetica Light is an easy-to-read font, with tall and narrow letters, that works well on almost every site.
Brian Rickling
2026 Board Treasurer
Helvetica Light is an easy-to-read font, with tall and narrow letters, that works well on almost every site.
Karen Lacy
2026 Board Member
Helvetica Light is an easy-to-read font, with tall and narrow letters, that works well on almost every site.
Bob Crawford
2026 Board Member
Bob Crawford is part Native Hawaiian on his
mother's side, born and raised in San Diego.
In 1994, he was a member of the Hokulea
Steering Committee which has grown into the Pacific Islander Festival of San Diego. Currently he is a member of the William Heath Trust Group. Part of Bob's Kuleana within the group is to portray Kanaka Bill from the 1800s, in order to share his story from his perspective.
Alicia DeLeon
Anissa Acfalle
David Cline, Ph.D.
Denise Meyer
Dolly Keahiolalo-Crawford
Elizabeth Ah Nee
Gail Wright
Yvette Porter Moore
_edited.jpg)
Community Advisory Board Members
Helvetica Light is an easy-to-read font, with tall and narrow letters, that works well on almost every site.
Sean Martin
2026 Board Vice President
Helvetica Light is an easy-to-read font, with tall and narrow letters, that works well on almost every site.
Alma Ascencio
2026 Board Secretary
Helvetica Light is an easy-to-read font, with tall and narrow letters, that works well on almost every site.
Matt Fitzsimons
2026 Board Member
Matt Fitzsimons has lived in San Diego for more
than 25 years and is the author of two books
about the colonization of the Southwest,
The Counterfeiters of Bosque Redondo (History Press, 2022) and The Sons of Gunshooter: A Navajo Resistance Story (University of Arizona Press, March 2026).
Nancy Strauss
2026 Board Member
I was born and raised in San Diego and
attended public school in Chula Vista from
grades K-12. I am also a proud graduate of
SDSU... Go Aztecs!
As a Navy wife, I was away from San Diego for many years, but have finally returned home . As I continue my research of "New Town " San Diego visionary Wm. Heath Davis, Jr., I look forward to serving my community as a GQHF Board member .
Jaimie Baird
Lono Kollars
Mitz Lee
Pedro Loureiro, Ph.D.
Susan Lan Cassal, Ph.D.
Tana Lepule
Todd Henry, Ph.D.
Community Advisory Board Members
Helvetica Light is an easy-to-read font, with tall and narrow letters, that works well on almost every site.
Our Team.
Our dedicated team of professionals
Our Mission
The GQHF is dedicated to preserving the architecture, culture and history of San Diego's Gaslamp Quarter, a 16 ½-block area designated as an historic district and listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1979.
Through museum exhibits, tours, festivals and educational programs for children and adults alike, the GQHF opens a window to the past by showcasing the historical importance and development of downtown San Diego since 1850. Recognized as the “Curator of the Gaslamp,” the Foundation strives to maintain the integrity of the historic district and preserve its history and architecture.
Sondra N.
"Our tour guide Jamie was fabulous. Her passion for the history of the Gaslamp district as well as San Diego was very apparent! Worth the time to learn and enjoy."
Brandy W.
"Did a ghost tour and this was one of the most haunted places I have ever experienced. Would greatly recommend visiting."
Samantha S.
"Who knew there was so much history in one little house?! This museum is a great place to learn about some of San Diego’s most interesting, and little known, history. I learned that the house was once the first hospital in San Diego, and it was the home of a prosperous bootlegger during prohibition! The staff here are really knowledgeable and love to share their stories so make sure to ask about the various features of the house."