A letter from Gladys F. Jones-Morrison, founder and original President of the House of Peru, to President Carlos Miñano.  Reprinted here for your reading.

January 30, 2008
Carlos Miñano
President - House of Peru

Dear Carlos;

Recently I was asked by the Chief of Protocol to the Mayor’s office about the history of the formation of the House of Peru. I thought I would take this opportunity to answer the Mayor’s office and give to you, our new President, a written history of the formation so that you may pass it on to future Presidents and Board members.

In 2001 I was a docent at the Museum of Art at Balboa Park. To become more familiar and better answer questions about the Park and its facilities I made it part of my daily routine to walk the park before and after my docent assignments. I became familiar with the Museum of Man, Menguei Museum, Natural History Museum, The Old Globe Theater, the International Cottages, the Aerospace Museum and all the other wonderful attributes that the park has to offer.

The International Cottages and their display of cultural items from each country represented always made me think of my beloved Peru. I wondered why Peru was not in this fabulous cultural show place. In contacting Caroline Flor, President of HPR, the governing body of the International Cottages, I discovered there was a procedure by which a country could became a member of the International Cottages. Caroline told me she would check the records and see if anyone had approached the HPR about Peru becoming a member.

Sometime later Caroline contacted me and indicated that Peru had never been a member and she could not find any record of anyone inquiring about Peru becoming a member. Of course I thought how wonderful that Peru would have an opportunity to become a member of the HPR and I set about organizing and completing all the necessary documentation required by HPR for Peru to join.

Once HPR confirmed that there was no activity regarding Peru becoming a member I contacted several Peruvian groups to see if any of them had initiated anything regarding membership in HPR.  I met and spoke with several individuals who were referred to me as members of these groups and possibly a chamber and none of them had any knowledge of any of their groups interested in or initiating membership to HPR

With the road clear I began to complete the task in earnest.

The mission of HPR is to exchange the cultural history of member countries to each other and the San Diego community at large. I therefore wanted to have the support of the cultural community in Peru. I contacted Maestro Delfin, President of the Commission of Arts and Culture in Peru, and their group was very happy to give their blessing to the House of Peru becoming a member of HPR. The Commission of Arts and Culture has been very helpful and supported the House of Peru over the years.

The requirements of HPR to became a member sounded relatively simple but in actuality required much organization and follow thru. Briefly the requirements were as follows: form a corporation (HOP was incorporated on February 24th 2003 and received an IRS designation 501-C(3) Charitable Organization), prepare By-Laws, select a Board of Directors, have a minimum of 35 members, select a Queen and her court (Princesses), attend monthly HPR delegate meetings and participate in all the required HPR functions ( Food Fair, Lawn Program, December Nights, hosting the Hall of Nation and Ladies Auxiliary luncheons) for a full year of probation.

I was told by HPR executives that there had been many countries over the years that had started their organization with all good intentions but had failed to comply and meet the requirements during the one year provision requirement and therefore failed entry into HPR.

The House of Peru successfully completed all of the requirements of HPR and was admitted into the organization on March 27, 2004. From then to the present the House of Peru has proudly participated in every required function prescribed by HPR. In addition the HOP with its Queen and Princesses have served the community with numerous programs presented to museums, schools, community organizations, and retirement facilities. When new United Sates citizens are swore in by the INS the Queen and Princesses have participated with costumes and dance programs over the last five years

Further the HOP obtained contributions over $14,000 for the victims of the recent Peruvian earthquake thru their fund raising activities. These monies were used to construct 33 small modular homes which will be used in the future to provide shelter for the elderly and orphans of Peru.

I have spent four wonderful years, with volunteers who love the project, as the President of the House of Peru and I would gladly spend many more however our By-Laws allow only two terms of two years each. I now I happily turn the House of Peru over to you our new President. I am here to continue to serve the House of Peru with my guidance and all the help I can provide.

Gladys F. Jones-Morrison
Past-President House of Peru
Honorary Consul Emeritus of Peru