San Francisco History Events Calendar
| California Historical Society Exhibit: A Wild Flight of the Imagination: the Story of the Golden Gate Bridge Price: A $5 donation is suggested. Free to mem | May 1, 2012 12 pm.-5 pm. | The California Historical Society Exhibit: A Wild Flight of the Imagination: the Story of the Golden Gate Bridge, features art, photographs, films and historic bridge artifacts.
The exhibition, which honors the 75th anniversary of the Golden Gate Bridge, includes a look back at the Golden Gate itself – one hundred years before the building of the bridge – as well as the building and historic opening of the bridge in 1937. It will also examine the bridge’s influence as an inspirational landscape for artists, writers, tourists, and people worldwide.
The exhibit is open Tuesday thru Sunday February 26 to October 14. http://events.sfgate.com/san-francisco-ca/events/history |
| Exhibition: Gallery of California History. Free. | May 2, 2012 11 am.-5 pm. | The new gallery is based on the theme of Coming to California —an idea that evokes not only the arrivals and departures of people throughout human history and their interactions with the inhabitants already here, but also the notion of coming to terms with the influence of California on our individual and collective identities.
For nearly forty years, the Museum's Gallery of California History has enabled generations of visitors to explore major events and trends that have shaped California history. It has housed thousands of historical artifacts, works of art, ethnographic materials, and original photographs from OMCA's permanent collection—the largest, finest, and most comprehensive collection of California cultural material anywhere. http://events.sfgate.com/san-francisco-ca/events/history |
| Lecture- La Bamba: Latinos in Vintage Rock, Pop, and Soul. Free | May 7, 2012 6:30 pm.-8 pm. | Local author and rock music historian Richie Unterberger will show and discuss film clips of Latino performers from the 1950s through the 1980s, including performances by such artists as Santana, Malo, Ritchie Valens, Thee Midniters, the Sir Douglas Quintet, Linda Ronstadt, Jose Feliciano, and Los Lobos.
sfpl.org |
| Marin History Museum Lecture History Series2012: The Golden Gate Bridge and its Forgotten Engineer . General Admission $10 , MHM Members $5 . (phone)415.454.8538. | May 8, 2012 7:00 Refreshments. 7:30 Lecture. | John Van der Zee is a Bay Area author and well-know lecturer. He will discuss Charles Ellis, the real designing engineer of the Golden Gate Bridge. You will learn why on a Bridge whose most outstanding quality is its design, Ellis’ name appears no where on or near the Bridge. Nor for more than fifty years did his name appear anywhere in Bridge District historical or promotional material. On May 31 of this year (2012), Charles Ellis will be formally recognized as Designing Engineer of the Golden Gate Bridge. www.marinhistory.org |
| Free public tour of the historic James R. Browning U.S. Courthouse. | May 8, 2012 1 pm.-2 pm. | Are you interested in history, architecture or the law? If so, we have just the thing for you. Come join us on a free public tour of the James R. Browning U.S. Courthouse in San Francisco. http://events.sfgate.com/san-francisco-ca/events/history |
| A Day of Art, History, Wine and Food at Runnymede Farm. Price: $75.00 | May 12, 2012 10:30 am.-3 pm. | The San Mateo County Historical Association will be opening Runnymede Farm for a day of art, history, food and fine wines. The internationally renown Woodside sculpture collection located on the Farm is owned privately and is viewable by the public only on certain occasions. Advanced reservations are required. Contact development@historysmc.org. http://events.sfgate.com/san-francisco-ca/events/history |
| Film- Sutros: The Palace at Lands End. Free. | May 12, 2012 2 pm.-4 pm. | This feature length documentary film tells the story of San Francisco's privately owned swimming, ice-skating and museum complex built in the late 19th century. Once the world's largest swimming pool establishment, the building burnt down in 1966. The ruins remain today. Journey back in time to revisit Sutro Baths when it was in full operation. Written and directed by Tom Wyrsch. There will be time for questions after the film.
Ortega Branch Library, 2-4 p.m.
3223 Ortega Street(at 39th Ave.) sfpl.org |
| Talk& Lecture: Old Mint Tour. | May 16, 2012 1 pm. | A unique opportunity to get a look inside the Old Mint. Guides will discuss the history of this magnificent building, and the progress and plans for it as the future home of the SF Museum at the Mint. http://events.sfgate.com |
| Film -On Location: the Golden Gate Bridge on the Silver Screen. Free | May 16, 2012 6 pm.-8 pm. | The Golden Gate Bridge has starred in more movies than any other American architectural icon. From Dark Passage (1947) to The Rise of the Planet of the Apes (2011), the iconic span appears in a wide range of films including Superman, Star Trek, Time After Time, It Came from Beneath the Sea, Love Bug, A View to a Kill, Monsters vs. Aliens, Interview with a Vampire, and X-Men. In honor of its 75th anniversary, Jim Van Buskirk, author of Celluloid San Francisco, (and former SFPL librarian) offers a clip-filled program of hilariously horrifying depictions of San Francisco’s beloved bridge.
sfpl.org |
| Magazine, Newspaper & Information Databases. Free. | May 16, 2012 2 pm.-3 pm. | Hands-on class featuring the Library's reference databases containing full text magazine and newspaper articles. Ability to navigate the web and basic search skills required. (Or you may observe.)
sfpl.org |
| Discussion- Cuban Star: How One Negro-League Owner Changed the Face of Baseball | May 22, 2012 6:30 pm. | Adrian Burgos, Jr. discusses his new book Cuban Star. In this raucous biography he brings to life Alejandro “Alex” Pompez. A proud and boisterous Negro League team owner, Alex Pompez rose to prominence during Latino baseball’s earliest glory days. As a passionate and steadfast advocate for Latino players, he helped bring baseball into the modern age. Pompez presided over the twilight of the Negro League, holding it together as long as possible in the face of integration even as he helped his players make the transition to the majors. In his later days as a scout, he championed some of the brightest future Latino stars and became one of Latin America’s most vocal advocates for the game. A book sale by Readers books follows the event. Co-sponsored by the Hispanic Baseball Museum Hall of Fame.
Main Library, Latino/Hispanic Community Meeting Room, 6:30 p.m.
100 Larkin St.(at Grove) sfpl.org |
| Talk: GGB - Through the Lens. Free. | May 23, 2012 6 pm.-7 pm. | Frederic Larson, staff photographer at the San Francisco Chronicle for more than 25 years, has captured the Golden Gate Bridge glowing in the moonlight, embraced by the fog, and reflected in raindrops. Join Mr. Larson for a slideshow and talk about his unique relationship with the iconic GGB.
sfpl.org |
| Exhibit- Baseball Passion: The Obata Family Legacy. Free. | May 24, 2012 6:30 pm. | In 1903, Chiura Obata was the founder of the first Japanese American baseball team in San Francisco called the Fuji Athletic Club. His 'love for the game' would last decades; even from within the barbed wire fences of the Topaz, Utah concentration camp. His son Gyo would eventually design some of the most beautiful baseball parks in the world with HOK Sports. Author, filmmaker and historian Kerry Yo Nakagawa explores the Obata family legacy in the Bay Area, from Topaz, Utah to AT&T Park.
Related Exhibit: Topaz: Artists in Internment, Main Library, 4th Floor, April 28 - June 24, 2012. sfpl.org |
| Exhibition: Golden Gate Festival. free. | May 26, 2012-May 27, 2012. 10 am.-6 pm. | Music, historic images, vintage automobiles and maritime history exhibits at Hyde Street Pier and Pier 45
www.visitfishermanswharf.com |
| Film: the Golden Gate Bridge on the Silver Screen. Free. | May 26, 2012 3 pm.-4:30 pm. | The Golden Gate Bridge has starred in more movies than any other American architectural icon. From Dark Passage (1947) to The Rise of the Planet of the Apes (2011) the iconic span appears in wide range of films including Superman, Star Trek, Time After Time, It Came from Beneath the Sea, Love Bug, A View to a Kill, Monsters vs. Aliens, Interview with a Vampire, X-Men. In honor of its 75th anniversary, Jim Van Buskirk, author of Celluloid San Francisco, (and former SFPL librarian) offers a clip-filled program of hilariously horrifying depictions of San Francisco’s beloved bridge.
sfpl.org |
| Golden Gate Bridge 75th Anniversary Fireworks Cruise - Blue & Gold Fleet Online&Box Office Advance Ticket Sale: $60 for Adults, $50 for Children(5-11),$185 Family Pack(2 Adults/2 Children). Box Office Day of:$65 for Adults, $55 for Children. | May 27, 2012 8 pm.- 10pm. | May 27, 2012 marks the 75th anniversary of the iconic Golden Gate Bridge. Come discover the bridge's history, ingenuity and beauty as a special fireworks display lights up the night sky. Enjoy from the best seats on the Bay onboard Blue & Gold Fleet! Departs from PIER 39. Boarding begins at 7:45pm from Gate 3, PIER 39. http://blueandgoldfleet.com |
| Talk-Early Easy Bay Women Architects | May 31, 2012 7:00pm | a talk by Inge Schaefer Horton, author of Early Women Architects of the San Francisco Bay Area: The Lives and Work of Fifty Professionals, 1890-1951. Underwritten by Janelle Spatz, Realtor, Bayside Real Estate.Free for members and $10 for others.510.748.0796. Talk begins at 7:00 pm at the Alameda Museum located at 2324 Alameda Avenue near Park Street. alamedamuseum.org |
Recurring Events
| Guided Tours of the Paramount Theatre | First & third Saturdays of each month 10 AM-Noon | First & third Saturdays of each month, 10 AM-Noon. 2025 Broadway, Oakland. Tours begin at the Box Office entrance on 21st Street near Broadway. $5. No reservations necessary. 510.893.2300 x 801 www.paramounttheatre.com/tour |
| Adventures at Sea: Life Aboard a 19th Century Sailing Ship | daily 2:15 - 3:00 pm | Join in on a guided tour of the historic ship Balclutha. Discover the hardships and rewards of the sailors who fought for survival during the treacherous Cape Horn passage. Vessel Admission: $5, Free for visitors 15 and younger. On the Balclutha at the Hyde Street Pier. 415.447.5000 nps.gov |
| Open again: Oakland Museum of California | Wed - Sun, 11 am - 5 pm | The Oakland Museum of California (OMCA) brings together collections of art, history and natural science under one roof to tell the extraordinary stories of California and its people. OMCA reopened its galleries May 1 after a transformation that touched almost every aspect of the 300,000 square-foot Museum and builds on the founders' original multidisciplinary and civic-minded intent by improving integration of OMCA's collections and programs. museumca.org |
| Tour: Adventures at Sea - Life Aboard a 19th Century Sailing Ship | daily 2:15 - 3:00 pm | Join in on a guided tour of the historic ship Balclutha. Discover the hardships and rewards of the sailors who fought for survival during the treacherous Cape Horn passage. Vessel Admission, $5 per person, children under 16 FREE. Hyde Street Pier, San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park. 415.447.5000 nps.gov |
| Think California | Wed 12pm-4:30pm-Sat 12pm-4:30pm | The California Historical Society presents Think California, an exhibition highlighting the colorful history of California through the institution’s remarkable collection of artwork, artifacts, and ephemera. This ambitious exhibition asks the question “What do you think about when you think of California?” Here you see both common and little known facts of the Golden State’s fascinating history, as well as the myths and realities that are the lore of California.
Wednesday through Saturday, 12:00noon to 4:30pm. Admission costs $3 for general public; $1 for students and seniors. http://www.californiahistoricalsociety.org/exhibits/index.html |
| The Candace Exhibition | Dec 8, 2010 to Nov 8, 2010 | The San Francisco Museum and Historical Society and The Infinity Owners Association have collaborated to create an exhibition of rare artifacts recovered from the excavation of Candace, a three-masted whaling ship that ended its last voyage in the port of San Francisco in 1855. The installation, which also features photographs documenting the unearthing of the Candace, will serve to bring history alive within a vibrant, contemporary San Francisco community.Free.(415) 512-7700.http://www.sfhistory.org/index.php?pageid=3 |
| Curiosities & Keepsakes: Treasures of San Francisco’s Past | Wed.– Fri. 10–4 and the first Saturday of every month | Curiosities and Keepsakes: Treasures of San Francisco’s Past, focuses on the unique people, places, and events that made 19th century San Francisco the interesting, lively and unique place it has been in the past and present. Colorful characters (Emperor Norton and Ada Mencken), unique places to spend leisure time (Sutro Baths, the Cobweb Palace and Woodward’s Gardens), and the material objects that surrounded these people and places all are on display in our first floor gallery, the Seymour Pioneer Museum, and our second floor Moore Gallery. $5 general admission. (415) 957-1849. http://www.californiapioneers.org/sanfran_past.html |
| Exhibit-The Architecture of San Francisco’s Chinatown | Jan 4, 2011 to Jan 1, 2011 Tuesday-Friday 12-5 pm; Saturdays 11 am – 4 pm | The striking architecture of Chinatown is explored from its beginnings in the mid-19 century through the rebuilding following the Great Earthquake & Fire of 1906 to its presence as one of the country’s most vibrant and enduring neighborhoods.Exhibit can be found at CHSA, 965 Clay Street, San Francisco. $3 Admission. www.chsa.org |
| *San Francisco Eats | Monday 10-6; Tuesday-Thursday 9-8; Friday 12-6; Sat 10-6; Sunday 12-5 | San Francisco Eats showcases the culinary delights that can be found in the San Francisco Public Library's collections dating back to the mid 19th century and will serve as a visual feast for visitors of all ages.
This exhibition includes menus, historical photographs, an array of food writers, cookbooks and culinary history, ephemera such as coasters and matchbooks, and San Francisco food inventions, including gadgets and signature dishes.Exhibit can be found at in the Jewett Gallery at the SF Main Library 100 Larkin Street, San Francisco. Free. sfpl.org |
| Gallery of California History | Wed, Thurs, Sat, Sun 11-4; Fri 11-9 | This gallery is based on the theme of Coming to California —an idea that evokes not only the arrivals and departures of people throughout human history and their interactions with the inhabitants already here, but also the notion of coming to terms with the influence of California on our individual and collective identities.Exhibit can be found at the Oakland Museum of California, 1000 Oak Street, Oakland. Admission $12. museumca.org |
| Exhibit-Finding Jake Lee: The Paintings at Kan’s | Feb 12, 2011 to Jan 1, 2012 Hours Tuesday-Friday 12-5 pm; Saturdays 11 am – 4 pm;Closed Sunday, Monday, and Holidays | In the early 1960s, restaurateur Johnny Kan commissioned a series of water color paintings by artist Jake Lee. For many years, these stunning paintings hung in the private Gum Shan (“Gold Mountain”) dining room of the landmark Kan’s Restaurant in San Francisco’s Chinatown.
Each Jake Lee painting showcases specific aspects and milestones in early Chinese American history, including scenes of San Francisco’s Chinatown, railroad-building in the Sierra Nevadas, Sonoma wine country, cigar & lantern factories, and the 1888 champion Chinese fire-hose team of Deadwood, South Dakota. Admission $3. www.chsa.org |
| Digging Deep: Underneath the San Francisco Public Library | Apr 5, 2011 to Mar 3, 2011 Check sfpl.org for library houra | The current Main Library rests on a Gold Rush-era cemetery and the ruins of the old City Hall destroyed in the 1906 earthquake and fire. The archaeological remains pulled from the site include everyday and unusual objects that tell the story of the development of the Civic Center and the city’s earliest residents. Main Library, First Floor, Grove Street Entrance Exhibit Cases. Free. sfpl.org |
| Digging Deep: Underneath the San Francisco Public Library | Jan 1-ongoing 10 Am to 5 Pm | The current Main Library rests on a Gold Rush-era cemetery and the ruins of the old City Hall destroyed in the 1906 earthquake and fire. The archaeological remains pulled from the site include everyday and unusual objects that tell the story of the development of the Civic Center and the city's earliest residents.
Exhibit: Ongoing, Main Library, First Floor, Grove Street Entrance Exhibit Cases
100 Larkin Street (at Grove)
http://sfpl.org/ |