NEW: FREE DOCENT TOURS OF THE SFHS MUSEUM!
The San Francisco Historical Society begins a new docent tour program for the Museum in conjunction with the opening of our new exhibition, Ferlinghetti: An Exhibition in 6 Vignettes.
Join us for an engaging docent-led tour at the San Francisco Historical Society Museum at 608 Commercial Street in San Francisco. Hear fascinating stories and learn things you didn’t know about San Francisco, and the exhibits on view. Enjoy getting unique insights as our knowledgeable guides bring our exhibits to life. Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a history buff, this tour will deepen your appreciation and understanding of San Francisco’s history.
Docent tours are free and are held at 11:30 am, and 1:30 pm on Saturdays.
The San Francisco Historical Society Museum is free and open to the public Thursdays-Saturdays from 10 am – 4 pm
History Live!
Lawrence Ferlinghetti: A Singular Voice
Join Jim McKee of Earwax Productions as he shares the sounds & stories of a 30-year friendship with Lawrence Ferlinghetti.
Tuesday, March 11th @ 6:30PM PST
About the Event:
Earwax Productions, Inc. is an award-winning sound design, mixing, and recording studio in North Beach that has been “surrounded in sound and its possibilities since 1983.” Join us for a special evening of stories and sounds from Earwax Productions co-founder Jim McKee, longtime collaborator and friend of Lawrence Ferlinghetti.
Jim McKee will share the personal history of his decades-long creative collaboration with Lawrence Ferlinghetti, drawing from a diverse catalog of poetry, interviews, soundscapes, and “overheard conversations” recorded in and beyond San Francisco, between 1989 until the end of Lawrence’s life in 2021. Their relationship began when Jim was introduced to Lawrence by his mentor Erik Bauersfeld, Director of Drama and Literature at KPFA. Their friendship endured through decades and ended at Lawrence’s bedside near the end of his life, with a recording of Lawrence reading Little Boy.
Don’t miss this intimate tour of a rich audio archive of Ferlinghetti’s singular voice through the lens of Jim’s unique and personal perspective. Moderated by Chris Buck, “Ferlinghetti | An exhibit in 6 vignettes” collaborator, lifelong Ferlinghetti enthusiast, and founder of Ferlinghetti Day, an annual literary walk-about on March 24th, in honor of Ferlinghetti’s birthday.
About Jim McKee:
Jim is the owner of Earwax Productions, which he co-founded in 1983. He has worked on major motion pictures, festival-winning independent films, documentaries, as well as popular IMAX productions. Jim has been at the forefront of major changes in sound technology, helping to keep audio standards high across all media. His resume includes the sound design for artist Ai Weiwei’s groundbreaking installation on Alcatraz, @Large to the familiar sonic brands and audio user interface with Apple, Facebook, Belkin, Logitech and Pinterest. Since 2007 he has mixed DVD/Blu-ray feature compilations for Pixar/Disney. Jim received his Master of Fine Arts from The Center for Contemporary Music at Mills College in Oakland, California and his Bachelor of Music Education from Shenandoah Conservatory of Music in Virginia.
About Earwax Productions:
From its founding in 1983, Earwax Productions has charted a singular course across the sonic landscape. The team’s expansive approach has included art installations and innovation in the craft of storytelling through sound, music, and interview. At the same time, Earwax has established a praise-worthy reputation in the fields of commercial and radio sound design, sound for feature films and documentaries, and iconic sound effects for some of the world’s most respected brands.
About “Ferlinghetti | An exhibit in 6 vignettes:”
Lawrence Ferlinghetti is known the world over as a poet, publisher, painter, activist, bookstore proprietor, and cultural icon. The San Francisco Historical Society is proud to host this new exhibit in celebration of our local legend. “Ferlinghetti | An exhibit in 6 vignettes” focuses on different aspects of Lawrence Ferlinghetti’s life, shown from a new perspective—his own. The exhibit draws all of its material from his personal effects, his personal library, his paintings, and other unique artifacts from his life and times.
Graphic credits: Photo of Ferlinghetti in his studio at Hunters Point Shipyard, 2016 by photographer Brian Flaherty. Audio wave of Ferlinghetti reading the first line of his poem “Trump’s Trojan Horse,” written in 2017; audio recorded from video shot by Mauro Aprile Zanetti in 2018 for The Kitchen Sisters.
Click Here to Register for Tickets!
Watch the Re-broadcast
History Live!
“Beyond Kearny Street: Filipinos in San Francisco, 1900-1940,”
Presented by Teresa Ojeda
Watch Teresa Ojeda as she uncovers the rich history of pioneering Filipino Americans who settled in San Francisco.
Watch the film: www.SFHistory.org/FilipinoHistory
SF History Live! “The Tonga Room: From Swimming Pool to Tiki Hut.”
Presented by Eric Jost. Tue. Feb. 11th @ 6:30PM.
Step aboard the S.S. Tonga as we dive headfirst into the mesmerizing history of the world-famous Tonga Rom & Hurricane Bar! Since 1945, this themed restaurant and bar has been a go-to destination for San Francisco locals and visitors alike. Get ready to unravel the secrets behind the transformation of the Fairmont Hotel’s pool into the ultimate hub for a nautical-themed bar, evolving gradually into the beloved indoor tropical paradise we know and love today. Discover how the Tonga Room & Hurricane Bar defied extinction in the early-2000’s, emerging even more popular than ever before. As a part of this tropical experience, you’ll taste the Tonga Room’s signature cocktail, the Tonga Zombie (and get the recipe).
About Eric Jost
Eric Jost isn’t your average urban anthropologist and walking tour guide – he’s the spirited time-traveler of San Francisco’s vibrant past! With a penchant for unraveling the city’s secrets, he’s the brain behind the tours “SOMA Origins: Bars, Bathhouses, & Beyond,” and “Pagan Bay: SF’s Role in the Rise, Fall, & Resurgence of American Tiki Culture.” When he’s not leading excursions through the city’s historical nooks, you’ll catch him sipping cocktails at Trader Sam’s or chasing the tropical island vibe for that extra dose of inspiration.
Tickets: www.SFHistory.org/TongaRoom
Walking Tours
Our walking tours provide a first-hand experience of San Francisco’s history. Tours include historical themes that embrace San Francisco’s rich history with subject experts who led the tours. We know you’ll in joy learning about the City’s iconic history with tours that include the 1906 Earthquake and Fire, Fisherman’s Wharf, the gold rush, the Barbary Coast to name a few.
**** Additional Tour Information ***
General public admission, $20 per person (non-members) -Additional donations at checkout are always appreciated and keep the ticket price low.
Free for members with 100% off discount code. Check your SF History E-newsletter, which goes out the first week of every month, for the membership code. Apply at check-out.
Please note that Unspeakable Vice tour general admission tickets at $30 each and $10 for members. Attendees must be age 21.
Tour length: Approximately 90 minutes
Maximum attendees: 20 people on a first-come,first serve basis
In case of rain, tour will be rescheduled
*** SIGN UP FOR WALKING TOURS BELOW ***
If you need any assistance, please email Chris Griffith at [email protected]
NEW WALKING TOUR! The “Valley of the Queens”
Explore the vibrant and revolutionary queer history of San Francisco’s Tenderloin and Polk Street neighborhoods with local resident and professor Shawn Sprockett. This tour offers a deep dive into the emergence of LGBTQIA+ icons and movements that shaped the area from the 1960s to the 1990s. The “Valley of the Queens” tour highlights key events such as the Compton’s Cafeteria Riot, a landmark trans resistance that predates the Stonewall Riots, and the site of San Francisco’s first Pride parade.
Tours start at The Tenderloin Museum located at 398 Eddy St., San Francisco.
Tours led by expert, Shawn Sprockett
Tour Dates & Times:
Saturday, December 21st @ 2PM
Saturday, January 18th @ 2PM
Saturday, February 15th @2PM
Saturday, March 29th @ 2PM
General public admission, $35 per person (non-members); Members, $10 with discount code. Check your SF History E-newsletter, which goes out the first week of every month, for the membership code. Apply at check-out.
Purchase Tickets Here: www.SFHistory.org/ValleyoftheQueens
NEW WALKING TOUR! “The History of North Beach”
North Beach is one of the oldest areas of San Francisco and has seen many changes over its long history. What began as a beachfront community and maritime port soon attracted immigrants from many countries, who over time, transformed the area into today’s vibrant mercantile and tourist area. Sailors, bankers, poets, performers, and others all made their imprint here, and their stories will be part of this walk through the neighborhood. Along the way we will sample some of the neighborhood’s delicacies (included). And for those who wish to stay after the tour, you can enjoy a pizza on your own at Tony’s Pizza Napoletana, where the tour ends.
Tips to the guide are not required but are welcomed.
Tours start at 608 Commercial Street (SF Historical Society Museum) at 10AM and end at Tony’s Pizza Napoletana around 11:30AM.
Tours led by Stephen Johnson, a board member of the San Francisco Tour Guide Guild.
Tour Dates & Times:
Saturday, March 8th @ 10AM
**** Additional Tour Information ***
General public admission, $30 per person (non-members); Members, $10 with discount code. Check your SF History E-newsletter, which goes out the first week of every month, for the membership code. Apply at check-out.
Purchase Tickets Here: www.SFHistory.org/HistoryofNorthBeach
Join us for an exploration of Fisherman’s Wharf, the most popular free attraction in San Francisco, to discover how commercial fishing coexists with the modern tourist Mecca. Learn how Native Americans, Chinese, Italians, whaling sea captains, and sport fishermen all have harvested seafood from the waters of San Francisco Bay and the Pacific Ocean.
Starting at the Musée Mécanique at Pier 45, we will walk to the Maritime Museum at Aquatic Park, a flat, under-two-hour stroll. Along the way, you’ll hear stories about World War II ships, a San Francisco theatrical production called The Cable Car Nymphomaniac, and the crisis that “broke the mold” for Irish coffee glasses.
Saturday Tour Dates & Times
Saturday, July 13th @ 11AM
Saturday, July 20th @ 11AM
Saturday, August 3rd @ 11AM
1906 Earthquake and Fire: Chinatown’s Devastation and Renewal
Before dawn on April 18, 1906, the San Andreas Fault ruptured, sending shock waves racing across San Francisco. The city was abruptly wakened to witness a firestorm that would last three days and destroy almost everything within sight. Vibrant and densely populated Chinatown was swiftly engulfed by a raging fire on Day One, its inhabitants dispersed like embers in the wind. With Chinatown destroyed, city politicians and power brokers decided that this was an opportune time to relocate the Chinese community. Powered by an irrepressible resilience, the Chinese community re-imagined Chinatown and built it back better.
Tours led by Jack Grippi
Tour Dates & Times:
Saturday, January 11th @ 11AM
Saturday, February 8th @ 11AM
Saturday, March 8th @ 11AM
Register at www.SFHistory.org/1906Tour
Experience how San Francisco went from a trading village to a metropolis. You’ll learn about the hidden remains of sunken ships and artifacts from the Gold Rush.
Tours led by expert, Lori Bower or Kelci Bengier
Tour Dates & Times:
Saturday, January 4th @ 11AM (Kelci)
Saturday, January 18th @ 11AM (Lori)
Saturday, February 8th @ 11AM (Lori)
Saturday, March 1st @ 11AM (Lori)
Saturday, March 15th @ 11AM (Kelci)
Register at www.SFHistory.org/GoldRushSunkenShips
Secrets and Stories of San Francisco’s “Wall Street of the West”
Travel back in time to discover the stories and significance of the companies and people whose names adorn Financial District buildings. In addition to Silver Kings, the Big Four, and renowned bankers, this tour will introduce you to many others who “mined the miners” to create wealth beyond any normal imagination.
Tours led by Thom Jackson
Tour Dates & Times:
Friday, July 19th @ 11AM
Friday, August 16th @ 11AM
Friday, September 13th @ 11AM
Register at www.SFHistory.org/WallStreetOfTheWest
Barbary Coast and Jackson Square: Pleasure Seekers and Merry Makers
Explore the beginnings of the “anything goes” city through its culture, food, and vice. Is it so different today? Discover how the City by the Bay reflects its glorious past and continues as a trend-setting urban playground.
Tours led by historian experts, Corrie Conklin and Carolyn Moniz.
Tour Dates & Times:
Saturday, July 20th @ 11AM -CANCELLED
Saturday, August 17th @ 11AM
Saturday, September 14th @ 11AM
Register at www.SFHistory.org/BarbaryCoast
Unspeakable Vice: Queer North Beach Before the Castro
Starting at the San Francisco Historical Society, we’ll zig zag our way by more than a dozen lost queer bars, concluding with a round of drinks at the site an infamous lesbian hook-up spot on Grant. Hear how the “unspeakable vice” of the Victorians found its place and, through the process, gained a voice. Starts at 608 Commercial St. and ends at Maggy McGary’s pub at 1353 Grant Ave in North Beach. This exciting new tour includes a free drink at Maggy McGary’s, included in the tour price.
Notes: 21+, Limit 1 free drink per guest, Maggy McGary’s end 1353 Grant Ave
Limit 1 free drink per guest.
Tours led by expert, Shawn Sprockett
Tour Dates & Times:
Saturday, December 21st @ 11AM
Saturday, January 18th @ 11AM
Saturday, February 15th @ 11AM
Saturday, March 29th @ 11AM
Register at www.SFHistory.org/UnspeakableVice
Gold Rush Walks for Kids
Our trained guides offer free walking tours for elementary school focused on the Gold Rush. This walk directly addresses grade 4 social studies standards, but students in grades 3–6 are welcome to attend. Please call 415-537-1105, Ext. 6, for more details.
Self-Guided Walking Tours
Tours of ‘Old Town’ SF
Not up for an in-person event yet? Give our self-guided walking tours a try. These walks also begin at 608 Commercial Street. You can download them for free on the App Store or Google Play. Search for “City Explorer San Francisco” and look for the walks with the SFHS logo. Or, scan the QR code with your smartphone or tablet (this will take you directly to the App store to download the City Explorer San Francisco app).
Self-Guided Tours Led by SF High School Students
Walking Tours of Golden Gate Park!
Walking tours of Golden Gate Park led by San Francisco high school students, the winners of the 2020 Fracchia Prize, are now available as mobile apps. Download the walks for free and start exploring “Everyone’s Park,” with freshly minted historians as your guide. Choose from:
- “Botany and Horticulture: Symbols of Flourishing Against the Odds” by Winnie Quock, George Washington High School (1st Place Winner)
- “Horticultural History: Learning About San Francisco’s Past Through the Garden Gems of the City’s Favorite Park” by Indigo Mudbhary, Lick-Wilmerding High School (2nd Place Winner)
* COMING SOON * “It’s a Ringer! One Perfect Day in Golden Gate Park” by 3rd Place Winner Luke Zeponni, Abraham Lincoln High School
* Special thanks to SFHS Volunteer Gloria Lenhart for creating our mobile history apps. *