May is National Preservation Month, and Coronado is joining communities nationwide in celebrating our unique heritage! We're fortunate to have so many meaningful historic places, and we'll be highlighting them throughout the month. Our celebrations include a City Council Proclamation, the presentation of plaques to recently designated historic homes, and the beloved Historic Home Tour on Mother's Day, May 11th.
The celebrations will culminate in the annual Preservation Symposium on Thursday, May 15 from 5:30 pm-7:30 pm. The program will include a reception starting at 5:30 pm followed by the presentations from 6:00-7:30 pm.
Join Coronado MainStreet, the Historical Association, and the City of Coronado for the Preservation Symposium sponsored by the Coronado Community Foundation as we champion preservation in our community. This year's speakers include City Planners Tricia Olsen and Emily Peña, who will outline the City's approach to historic preservation, as well as keynote speaker Elsa Sevilla. Host of KPBS's Historic Places, Elsa will share how she approaches her work incorporating history into entertaining media. In the latest from the series, Elsa steps inside the legendary Hotel del Coronado, a National Historic Monument, as it undergoes a stunning transformation. Discover the secrets, craftsmanship, and untold stories behind the restoration of this iconic landmark. From its Victorian grandeur to modern-day elegance, witness history come back to life as Elsa talks about making this captivating series of Historic Places!
Preservation Symposium Ticket - $10
Important Registration Information: Capacity is limited and reservations are required. No walk-ins will be admitted.
If you have any questions please email info@coronadohistory.org or call (619) 435-7242.
Meet Elsa Sevilla
Elsa Sevilla grew up in Southeastern San Diego, where her passion for storytelling began in the first grade. By seventh grade, her mother suggested she consider a career as a radio announcer—but Elsa envisioned herself as a broadcast storyteller. At 14, she took her first job at the swap meet, where she learned how to connect with people—skills that would help her well throughout her career and life. She joined her high school newspaper, worked at NAVWAR, and later interned at both NBC San Diego and C-SPAN. She attended Southwestern College and then transferred to San Diego State University, where she earned her degree in Political Science. Elsa's first career job was at KGTV-10, where she quickly reported and produced stories for the station's CNN cut-ins. Just a few years into her career, Elsa and her partner, Guillermo Sevilla, founded Sevilla Productions, LLC, and in 2008, they launched Historic Places with Elsa Sevilla. Now in its 18th year on the air, the docuseries continues to showcase the region’s history and people. With more than 35 years as a filmmaker and journalist, Elsa remains dedicated to telling powerful stories that reflect the cultural richness of the region and the many contributions of women, people of color, and all communities.
Meet Tricia Olsen
Tricia Olsen has over 20 years of experience in the field of Historic Preservation in the San Diego region. She holds dual Bachelor’s degrees in History and Architectural History from the University of California at Santa Barbara, a Master of City Planning degree from San Diego State University, and is certified as a Professional Planner by the American Planning Association’s Institute of Certified Planners. She has worked as a historic research consultant, as a Historic Preservation Planner for the Cities of San Diego and Coronado, and currently as a Senior Planner, managing the City of Coronado’s Historic Preservation and Mills Act program.
Meet Emily Peña
Emily Peña started with City of Coronado in 2022 as a Community Development Technician. In that role, she discovered an interest in Historic Preservation and Planning and has been fortunate to have the opportunity to promote to an Assistant Planner. With a deep appreciation for Coronado’s rich history, Emily has especially enjoyed uncovering the fascinating stories behind many of the historic homes in the City. She is grateful for the opportunity to help preserve the character, charm, and history of this incredible community. In her free time, Emily enjoys baking, hiking, crafting, and spending time at the beach with her two children and two pugs.
Symposium Partners
