California Historical Society: A Cultural Treasure in San Francisco

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Overview

Established in 1922, the California Historical Society serves as a beacon of Californian culture and history in San Francisco. Spanning more than a century of rich traditions, the society was formed with the aid of Templeton Crocker and aims to educate the public about the diverse heritage of California. With an impressive compilation of over 50,000 books, 500,000 photographs, and thousands of manuscripts, the society offers an immersive experience across 11 thematic sections. Visitors can explore critical eras such as the early indigenous settlements, the Gold Rush, and the vibrant communities that shaped California. Noteworthy artifacts include a Golden Jubilee program from 1909 and a collection of maps reflecting California's evolution. Join us to delve deep into the captivating narrative of California's past at the California Historical Society.

Photo of California Historical Society
Photo of California Historical Society
Photo of California Historical Society
Photo of California Historical Society
Contact Info
  • Address678 Mission St, San Francisco, CA 94105, USA

Reviews

Emily Johnson
United States
5
RIP CHS. 😢 As of today, this organization is officially *permanently closed* and the collection will be moved to Stanford. It will be missed by not only locals, but also those who love history from around the world 🌍.
Diana Love
United States
5
Join the Historic Libations: Celebrating the Holidays California Style event with music and light food!
Michael Hiebert
United States
5
We visited to see the Minor White photo exhibit and our high expectations were met. The staff was friendly, and the layout of the permanent exhibits was excellent. They cover topics such as Asian history, the 1906 earthquake, and the 1918 Spanish flu with old posters, paintings, and photographs. The gift shop is also great with a wide selection of California and San Francisco themed gifts and books. The $10 admission is well worth it. I hope to return.
Sofia Valadez
United States
5
The California Historical Society has a fantastic collection of reading material and souvenirs. The store also offers a great selection of clothing items like T-shirts, scarves, sweaters, umbrellas, and ball caps. It's a wonderful place to spend time reading and browsing. The printed materials are well covered and interesting. There is so much more to mention. This store is a must-visit if you have the time.
Maria Knight
United States
4
There was a fascinating exhibit on Juana Briones, an Indian settler who became significant in the city during its earliest days as Yerba Buena. She helped many others and achieved much despite her lack of education and humble beginnings. As someone from the East, I really appreciated learning about how the city was born and developed rapidly in the mid-19th century, a very different settlement process compared to the eastern United States. Texts are generally bilingual. A downside is the low lighting of many exhibits, likely a precaution for preservation. Of particular interest in this exhibit was the treatment of the socio-cultural aspects of the early Bay area, under Mexican and later American governments, portraying contrasts between these two very different social systems.