1-3 Hours
Archives Visit
Presidio of San Francisco
Always open by reservation, The Park Archives and Records Center is excited to host visitors, researchers, and park staff. Here the Presidio's past is bridged to its present by the images, documents, and objects preserved. Come and experience the park by revisiting its past.
Come to the archives and experience the park by exploring the records and objects left here from the past. The Park Archives and Records Center contains over 5 million documents, photographic images, oral histories and maps that document all areas and facets of the history associated with Golden Gate National Recreation Area. These materials have been acquired through donation, transfer, or were created by the park. A large portion of the collection consists of military presence at the Presidio and the surrounding fortifications (mostly from WWII forward); as well as specific park sites like Alcatraz and Lands End. Other topics include significant events like the Panama-Pacific International Exposition, the Alcatraz Indian Occupation, or 1906 Earthquake and Fire. PARC also houses a large body of inactive park records that document the GGNRA's projects, operations, and activities.
Tags
Hands-OnAfrican American HeritageArchitecture and BuildingPhotographyPoetry and LiteratureSculptureAsian American HeritageAviationCoasts, Islands and AtollsEngineeringFarming and AgricultureRanchesFireFoothills, Plains and ValleysForests and WoodlandsConiferous ForestsFortsGeologyHispanic American HeritageImmigrationIncarcerationJails and PrisonsJapanese-American InternmentIndustryFactoriesLogging and Timber CuttingLGB American HeritageLaborer and WorkerLatino American HeritageCoastal DefensesLighthousesMaritime - MilitaryShips and ShipwrecksMedicineHospitalMigrationsMilitaryArmoriesArtilleryCavalryInfantry and MilitiaUS Air Force (Army Air Corps)US ArmyUS Coast GuardMonuments and MemorialsMusicNative American HeritageOceansWhalesPresidentsReligion and SpiritualityChurchesMissionsRock Landscapes and FeaturesScenic ViewsSchools and EducationSocial MovementsCivil RightsConservation MovementVoting Rights and SuffrageTragic EventsCatastrophic FiresBridgesTrains and RailroadsTunnelsEndangeredRareUrban AmericaWars and ConflictsCivil WarCold WarKorean WarSpanish-American WarTribal ConflictsVietnam WarWorld War IWorld War IIWatershedsThe Gold RushWetlandsMarshesWomen's HistoryArchivesresearchMuseummuseums & collectionsCollectionsarchiverecordsheritageculturalhistoryphotographsobjectsephemeraExhibitarticlesclothingmilitarylegacymarin headlandsBatteryhospitalsblueprintscontractsAlcatraz Island
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Details
Duration
1-3 Hours
Duration Details
The Park Archive and records center in centrally located in the Presidio national park and within walking distance of the Presidio Visitor Center and Golden Gate Bridge welcome center, making getting here via public transportation really easy. See our Getting To and Around the Park | The Presidio (San Francisco).
Fees Apply
No
Seasons
Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
Time of Day
Day
Accessibility
Building 667 has plenty of available free parking in front of the building. The entrance has stairs and a ramp. The building has a bathroom for its researchers. No food or drink allowed in the reading room.
Pets
No — Service animals only.
Reservations
Yes — Reservations are used to ensure that not too many people are in the reading room at the same time and making it too difficult for every visitor to experience the archives in their own way. ADD Individual appointments are also available by calling (415) 561-2808 or e-mail us.
Age Info
The Archive Reading Room is a quiet space for research. Please use your best judgement if you are considering bringing a child with you.
Location
Park Archives and Records Center