Regional Oral History Office University of California the Bancroft Library Berkeley, California
Total Page：16
File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb
University of California Berkeley Regional Oral History Office University of California The Bancroft Library Berkeley, California Evelyn Danzig Haas FINE ARTS AND FAMILY: THE SAN FRANCISCO MUSEUM OF MODERN ART, PHILANTHROPY, WRITING, AND HAAS FAMILY MEMORIES With Introductions by Eugene E. Trefethen and Elizabeth Haas Eisenhardt Interviews Conducted by Suzanne B. Riess in 1995 Copyright 1997 by The Regents of the University of California Since 1954 the Regional Oral History Office has been interviewing leading participants in or well-placed witnesses to major events in the development of Northern California, the West, and the Nation. Oral history is a method of collecting historical information through tape-recorded interviews between a narrator with firsthand knowledge of historically significant events and a well- informed interviewer, with the goal of preserving substantive additions to the historical record. The tape recording is transcribed, lightly edited for continuity and clarity, and reviewed by the interviewee. The corrected manuscript is indexed, bound with photographs and illustrative materials, and placed in The Bancroft Library at the University of California, Berkeley, and in other research collections for scholarly use. Because it is primary material, oral history is not intended to present the final, verified, or complete narrative of events. It is a spoken account, offered by the interviewee in response to questioning, and as such it is reflective, partisan, deeply involved, and irreplaceable. ************************************ All uses of this manuscript are covered by a legal agreement between The Regents of the University of California and Evelyn Danzig Haas dated March 6, 1995. The manuscript is thereby made available for research purposes. All literary rights in the manuscript, including the right to publish, are reserved to The Bancroft Library of the University of California, Berkeley. No part of the manuscript may be quoted for publication without the written permission of the Director of The Bancroft Library of the University of California, Berkeley. Requests for permission to quote for publication should be addressed to the Regional Oral History Office, 486 Library, University of California, Berkeley 94720, and should include identification of the specific passages to be quoted, anticipated use of the passages, and identification of the user. The legal agreement with Evelyn Danzig Haas requires that he be notified of the request and allowed thirty days in which to respond. It is recommended that this oral history be cited as follows: Evelyn Danzig Haas, "Fine Arts and Family: The San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, Philanthropy, Writing, and Haas Family Memories," an interview conducted in 1995 by Suzanne B. Riess, Regional Oral History Office, The Bancroft Library, University of California, Berkeley, 1997. Copy no. / Evelyn and Walter Haas, 1993, Photograph by Roy Eisenhardt Cataloging information HAAS, Evelyn Danzig (b. 1917) Museum trustee Fine Arts and Family: The San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, Philanthropy, Writing, and Haas Family Memories, 1997, x, 284 pp. Family background, Danzigs and Wolfs, New York City; horseback riding, urban life, summer abroad; Wheaton College art studies, public speaking, and American Film Institute job; meeting Walter Haas, Jr. and Haas family; marriage, San Francisco home, children and schools; fishing, vacations in Atherton, Oregon, Montana, travel; volunteer work with Children's Theater Assn., San Francisco Symphony, hospitals, other institutions; San Francisco Museum of Modern Art [SFMOMA]: Haas family affiliation, Grace McCann Morley, Activities Board, Women's Board, trustee since 1972, directors, staff, fund raising, accessions; SFMOMA President, 1985-1988, CEO 1983-1984: decision to build a new museum, board-building, choice of architect, donors; War Memorial Board; personal art collection. Appended narratives by Evelyn Haas about earthquakes, the Oakland A's, the United Nations, and visiting royalty; and the 1996 Annual Report of the Evelyn and Walter Haas, Jr. Fund. Introductions by Eugene E. Trefethen, President (retired), Kaiser Industries Corp.; and Elizabeth Haas Eisenhardt. Interviewed 1995 by Suzanne B. Riess. Regional Oral History Office, The Bancroft Library, University of California, Berkeley. TABLE OF CONTENTS --Evelyn Danzig Haas INTRODUCTION- -by Eugene E. Trefethen i INTRODUCTION- -by Elizabeth Haas Eisenhardt iii INTERVIEW HISTORY- -by Suzanne Riess^ v TO MY CHILDREN AND GRANDCHILDREN- -by Evelyn Danzig Haas viii I FAMILY BACKGROUND Early Memories 1 Parents 2 Father's Death, and Mother's Death 7 Thoughts on Mother's Career 8 Grandparents, Abraham and Sophie Wolf 11 Cousins, and Distances 13 Religion 16 Summer Camps 16 Horseback Riding 18 II COLLEGE YEARS, AND COURTSHIP 21 Choosing Wheaton, Then and Now 21 Evie's College Activities 23 Meeting Walter Haas, the Courtship 27 Art, and the Art of Public Speaking 30 Meeting the Senior Haases 31 The Summer After Graduation, and the Film Institute Job 34 Macy's Training Squad 35a The College Trip to Europe 36 In Danzig with Jerome Danzig 38 Engaged 39 New Families 41 III MORE ON FAMILY 43 Frank Danzig 43 Jerry Danzig 44 Grandparents, Simon and Sarah Danzig 47 Facts of Life, and How to Cook 48 Wives' Lives 49 IV EARLY MARRIED YEARS 52 Getting a New Life 52 Finding a House 53 William Wurster, and Thomas Church 55 The War Years 57 Friends, and Parties 58 Ice-Breaking Advice 59 61 V CHILDREN, SCHOOLS, AND VACATIONS Babies Town School, Burke 's, and Marin Country Day 65 Wally's Career and Family Betsy's Career and Family Bob's Career and Family Summers in Atherton, and Family Camping Trips Zane Grey Property in Oregon Social Clubs and Drinking Wade a Little Deeper, Dear Montana Ranch Foreign Travel VI VOLUNTEER WORK Children's Theater Association Children's Hospital San Francisco Symphony, Volunteering and Attending The Evelyn and Walter Haas, Jr. Fund The Haas/Koshland Award 99 VII SAN FRANCISCO MUSEUM OF MODERN ART 100 Elise Haas's Interest in Modern Art 100 An Opportunity for Evelyn to Curate an Exhibition 103 Grace McCann Morley The Idea of Modern 105 Why SFMOMA Needed a New Museum 105 The Activities Board, and Working Hard 109 These Days of Vocal Boards 110 Women's Board, Working with Directors, and the MAC 113 Staff Friends 115 George Culler 116 Fractional Gifts 116 Ongoing Definition of Scope, Photography Department 117 The Nordland and Hopkins Eras 119 The Evelyn and Walter Haas, Jr. Fund and the Arts 120 Professional Guidance in Fund Raising 121 Art Appreciation, and the Haas Legacy 123 More on Activities Board, and the Art of Seating 124 Differing Roles of Men and Women on Boards 126 More on Accessions Committee 128 The Education Aspect 129 Biting the New Building Bullet 132 Choosing the Architect 133 Acknowledging the Donors 136 Evelyn Haas's Service on Other Art Councils 138 Other Modern Art Collectors 139 The War Memorial Board 140 Brooks Walker, and Board-Building 141 The Gamble 143 Critics, and Discretion 143 The Big View: Other Modern Museums 145 Operating Costs, Marketing, and Rewarding Members 147 Great Shows Remembered 150 Director Selection Committee 152 VIII THE EVELYN AND WALTER HAAS, JR. ART COLLECTION 155 APPENDICES 166 A. Biographical Data 167 B. The Wolf Gazette, February 26, 1944 169 C. An Introduction to the Stories by Evelyn Haas 173 1. The 1989 Earthquake 174 2. The Earthquake and Fire, from notes dictated by Rosalie Meyer Stern, ca. 1934 180 3. 1989 Baseball Playoffs 189 4. 1989 World Series, Parts I, II, III, and IV 197 5. Playoffs 1990 221 6. 1990 World Series 226 7. The Queen and Her Prince Visit San Francisco, 1983 232 8. United Nations 50th Anniversary, June 26, 1995, and a letter about the Opening Session, April 27, 1945 244 D. Background on the Evelyn and Walter Haas, Jr. Fund 249 E. Evelyn and Walter Haas, Jr. Fund 1995 Annual Report 252 INDEX 284 INTRODUCTION- -by Eugene E. Trefethen I am delighted and flatterednot to mention privileged and honoredto have been asked to pen this introduction. To all of you who are about to enjoy the contents of the oral history memoir that follows, may I proudly present Evelyn D. Haas--and what a great lady she is! Evie, as she is more familiarly known, is in every sense of the word an ideal: she is a devoted wife, and a loving mother and grandmother. She is a dedicated community activist with a host of friends. She is a tireless, determined leader, blessed with good judgment and total integrity. She is an accomplished speaker, acclaimed author, traveler extraordinaire, and an art connoisseur and avid collector. She is a fine example of grace, good taste, and elegance. Evie is a doer, and a giver. She embodies the Haas family-shared philosophy about the joy of giving: that it is far more important than the joy of receiving. This is so clearly evidenced in her work with the Children's Theater Association, Children's Hospital, the San Francisco Symphony- -just to mention a few of her numerous involvements. Evie, by the side of her husband, Walter A. Haas, Jr., and with their children, Bob, Betsy and Wally, co-directs the invaluable efforts of the Evelyn and Walter Haas, Jr. Fund, a family foundation. Sprung out of love and care for those less fortunate, it enriches life for all of us minute by minute. Of Evie's countless interests, one is considered a particular favorite, the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art. It is here that I and many others have had the good fortune to work hand- in-hand with Evie in strengthening the excellence of this institution. Evie's mother-in-law, Elise Haas, was a leading force in the early development of the Museum. Evie has followed suit in her hardworking, effective leadership roles at the Museum, e.g., past chairman, and president. Evie was a vital influence in making a dream come truea new site for the Museum, a magnificent building that is now open to the public and serves throngs of people who are attracted to it, and to its precious art collection.