|
|
Children's
Museums
:: Fine
Arts Museums ::
History Museums
::
Galleries
 |
|
| |
 |
HISTORY MUSEUMS |
|
|
|
BERKELEY HISTORICAL SOCIETY : |
|
 |
Devoted exclusively to Berkeley history, the
society's downtown headquarters holds
archives and small exhibits. There are about
two shows a year, which focus on the town's
history, geography, or architecture. The
society also offers walking tours and
lectures. |
 |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
CALIFORNIA HISTORICAL SOCIETY MUSEUM: |
|
 |
California Historical Society features
historic documents, manuscripts and
artifacts that are the evidence of the
Chinese American fight for civil rights and
the unique challenges that characterized the
formation of Chinese populations in
California. Adults $3; students and seniors
over 62 $1; free for children under 5 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
CHINESE HISTORICAL SOCIETY: |
|
 |
The Chinese Historical Society of America is
filled with amazingly preserved artifacts
such as a fourteen-foot redwood sampan, a
colorful turn-of-the-century parade dragon
head, and an 1880 Buddhist altar. The main
exhibition tells the history of the Chinese
in the United States, beginning in the
1600's with the early arrival of Chinese in
North, Central, and South America. The
bilingual exhibition documents the first
large wave of immigration that occurred
during the 19th century, when more than 90%
of Chinese immigrants came from the Pearl
River Delta region in China. Photographs and
artifacts focus on the contributions made by
Chinese laborers in the development of the
fishing, railroad, mining, and agriculture
industries in the American West. The museum
also features changing special exhibits.
Adults $3; College Students (with ID) and
seniors $2; children 6-17 $1 Hours: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
FIRE DEPARTMENT MUSEUM: |
|
|
Stashed next to the San Francisco Fire
Department's #10 station is the Pioneer
Memorial Museum, a paean to the storied
history of the San Francisco Fire
Department. A tiny, cluttered room, the
museum is jam-packed with the mechanical
trappings of antique fire technology
(switchboards, hydrants, and so on), as well
as numerous photos of San Francisco. Check
it out if only for the six ancient fire
engines on site. Admission free. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
GAY, LESBIAN, BISEXUAL, TRANSGENDER
HISTORICAL SOCIETY: |
|
 |
Established in 1985, the GLBT Historical
Society features exhibits that shed light on
the history of the Bay Area's GLBT
communities. Located across the street from
the California Historical Society. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
HILLER AVIATION MUSEUM: |
|
 |
Dedicated to the dreams of flight, the
museum exhibits chronicle a century of
aviation history and provide a glimpse into
air transportation's future. Step inside and
view the planes from the past that span the
entire museum ceiling. Plane exhibits are
accompanied with historical photos or
footage and mannequins dressed in period
clothing. Adult $9; seniors (Age 65+) and
youths (5-17) $6; children (4 and under)
free with Paid Adult |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
LEVI STRAUSS MUSEUM: |
|
 |
Learn about the history of the most widely
worn trousers of the 20th century.
Blue
jeans were conceived during the Gold Rush by
a Bavarian immigrant, Loeb Strauss and his
partner, Jacob W. Davis. Loeb, whose
nickname was "Levi" made their first pair of
jeans out of gold miners' tents., When Levi
Strauss received a letter suggesting that
miner's pants could be made stronger if he
placed rivets at the stress points…he did,
they were, and the rest is history. You can
see this history on the tour of this working
factory, and see how Levi's jeans are made,
while you're here. The factory---built to
replace the ruins left by the 1906
earthquake---is one of the company's oldest,
and its frontier-style facade easily
brightens the Mission District street where
it is located. Free tours Tuesday &
Wednesday 9am, 11am, 1:30pm; call for
reservations |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
LUTHER BURBANK HOME & GARDENS: |
|
 |
Home, Greenhouse, and Gardens where the
famed horticulturist, Luther Burbank,
experimented with plants for most of his
50-year career. More than an acre of gardens
include many of Luther Burbank's
horticultural contributions. Special garden
areas focus on medicinal herbs, cutting
flowers, roses, wildlife habitats, and
ornamental grasses. Many unusual varieties
of plants and new horticultural
introductions are represented. Most plants
are labeled with both botanic and common
names. Follow the story of Burbank's career
with a self-guided tour. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
MISSION DOLORES MUSEUM: |
|
 |
The same week the Founding Fathers were
declaring U.S. independence, labor began on
this, the oldest intact building in San
Francisco. Thirty-six thousand sun-dried
bricks later, Mission San Francisco de Asis
is where the story of San Francisco begins.
Included in this historical building is the
small museum, containing religious artifacts
as well as historical tales from the Mission
District. The museum has remained culturally
significant, acting as the center of a
vibrant, diverse parish--a truly stabilizing
influence in the neighborhood. But it's the
tiny, ancient graveyard out back---the final
resting places of some of our
less-than-stable, more-than-vibrant
characters---which is worth investigating.
Consider Belle and Charles Cora, the Gold
Rush era's most notorious madam and gambler,
finally married just prior to Charles'
lynching. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
OAKLAND AVIATION MUSEUM: |
|
 |
Located on Oakland International Airport's
historic North Field, just 10 minutes south
of downtown Oakland, the museum is set among
majestic Art Deco buildings heralding the
days of Charles Lindbergh and Amelia Earhart
in a restored historic airplane hanger. The
museum and surrounding ramp area now house
more than 30 vintage and modern airplanes --
both civilian and military -- and other
displays that highlight noted aviators and
innovators. Display areas include Early
Pioneers in Aviation, Women in Aviation,
WWI, WWII, Airlines, Engines, Simulators,
Model Airplanes, and Space. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
SAN FRANCISCO CABLE CAR BARN & POWERHOUSE: |
|
 |
Cable cars are touted in the city as
America's only "moving National Historical
Landmark." Inside the historic Cable Car
Barn & Powerhouse, visitors can view the
actual cable winding machinery from an
elevated gallery, as well as the path of the
cable entering and leaving the building
underneath the street in the sheave room
viewing area. A variety of trucks, grips,
cable, and brake mechanisms are on display,
including the world's first cable car. Free
admission. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
SAN FRANCISCO MARITIME NATIONAL HISTORICAL
PARK: |
|
 |
Immerse yourself in nautical history at the
San Francisco Maritime National Historical
Park. Located beside Fisherman's Wharf, the
park features a wealth of sailing artifacts
including a square rigger, two schooners, a
steam tug boat, a paddlewheel tug, and a
steam ferryboat. Enjoy hands-on exhibits,
information panels throughout the park and
ships, videos, and tours. Other activities
include sea music concerts, boat building
classes, and chantey singing sessions. Take an audio tour that allows visitors to use mobile phones to connect with maritime history. Narrated by park rangers, the "voyage" consists of a series of recordings that provides insight into the collection of historic ships and other resources preserved at the park. Choose from 28 topics at eight stations throughout the park by dialing 415-294-6754. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
SAN FRANCISCO RAILWAY MUSEUM: |
|
 |
The San Francisco Railway Museum celebrates
the history of rail transit in San Francisco
and explores its significant impact on the
quality of urban life in this great city
throughout its storied history. The museum
features unique historic artifacts,
illustrative and informative displays,
rarely seen archival photography, in-depth
historical interpretation, and audio-visual
exhibits, in addition to a wide variety of
unique San Francisco gifts, souvenirs and
memorabilia you won't find anywhere else. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
SEYMOUR PIONEER MUSEUM: |
|
 |
This center is run by The Society of
California Pioneers to preserve and promote
California heritage through a research
library, museum, art gallery, and
educational activities. The galleries fe
cross-disciplinary exhibitions focused on
California art, history, and culture. Free
admission. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
WELLS FARGO HISTORY MUSEUM: |
|
 |
The Wells Fargo History Museum houses
artifacts and memorabilia important to the
development of the Wells Fargo financial
corporation, California, and the American
West. Important exhibits include the
century-old Wells Fargo stagecoach (you
know, the one on your checks), gold,
treasure boxes, and original papers from the
Wells Fargo office of a century ago. Free
admission. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Check these out!
|
| |
 |
|
GET THE GUIDE BEFORE YOU
GET TO SAN FRANCISCO!
|
| |
|
| |
| |
|
