Captain Kirk is Fighting for His Starship House In The Sunset District
Photo from James Kirk
“Captain” James Kirk is in a battle in probate court to purchase the Starship from his mother’s estate, Jason Hodge writes in the GoFundMe campaign he organized on behalf of Kirk. Yes, that’s his real name, he clarified in parentheticals.
An arts and community space in the Sunset is fundraising ahead of a Dec. 7 court date involving a real estate investor attempting to buy the house. Organizers and community members describe the Starship House as a landmark they recommend to friends visiting the city, and an a resource to thousands of people very year.
It is something in between amusement park and interactive gallery, Kirk writes in a 2020 GoFundMe campaign. Tours open and free to the public take guests through exhibits themed around Star Trek, Star Wars, Batman, rock n’ roll, SF history, and more.
According to the 2020 fundraiser, Kirk converted his garage into the Bat Cave and drives a batmobile, modeled after the “Batman” franchise.
There’s a scale model of Star Trek’s Starship Enterprise, and a walk through replica of the Enterprise bridge. It has served as a creative space to bands, artists, filmmakers, and has been a long-time gathering space for community members.
Photo from James Kirk and Jason Hodge
Kirk was born in the Sunset District the same year “Star Trek” debuted, in 1967, and quickly adopted “Captain” as a part of his nickname, a nod to his fictional counterpart. He has lived in the Starship House since the 1990s, when his uncle passed the house down to his mother, who he had lived with alongside his sister until their respective passings.
The funds raised will go toward attorney’s fees and loan costs involved in Kirk’s ongoing effort to purchase the home in the face of multiple eviction notices and eager real estate agents, the campaign page reads.
At the time of publication, the campaign has contributions from 132 donors, who raised a little under half of the listed $30,000 goal. The campaign is accepting donations through its GoFundMe or Venmo, both listed here.
Photo from James Kirk and Jason Hodge
Photo from James Kirk and Jason Hodge
Photo from James Kirk and Jason Hodge
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