Collection context
Summary
- Title:
- San Francisco Birthday Celebration Records
- Dates:
- 1940-2000
- Creators:
- San Francisco Birthday Committee (San Francisco, Calif.)
- Abstract:
- Extent:
- 4.5 cubic feet
- Language:
- Preferred citation:
-
San Francisco Birthday Celebration Records. San Francisco Public Library, San Francisco History Center
Background
- Scope and content:
-
The collection contains materials created by the San Francisco Birthday Committee in preparation for the annual San Francisco Birthday commemoration. Materials include brochures and pamphlets, correspondence, financial records, news clippings, photographs, and negatives. The collection is strong in its photographic record.
- Biographical / historical:
-
The San Francisco Birthday celebration observed the arrival of the city’s first permanent colonists. Led by Jose Joaquin Moraga, Spanish soldiers and settlers arrived in present day San Francisco, June 1776. They established a military post for Spain which later became the Presidio, and a Franciscan Mission which would grow into the Mision San Francisco de Asis, or the Mission Dolores. The annual San Francisco Birthday celebrations (1939-2016), began with an anniversary mass at the Mission Dolores, followed by a luncheon at the Presidio Officers Club. Festivities were presided over by that year’s La Favorita, a young woman selected for her heritage from the original Spanish colonists. Presented by the California Historical Society and Citizens Committee, the event was attended by mayors, Presidio leadership, and members of San Francisco’s history enthusiast community.
- Acquisition information:
- Donated in two parts by Katherine Applegarth in 2019. Accession number 2019-79, and 2019-83.
Indexed terms
About this collection guide
- Date Prepared:
- 1940-2000
- Date Encoded:
- This finding aid was produced using Record Express for OAC5 on July 14, 2025, 2:54 p.m.
Access and use
- Restrictions:
-
Open for research. The collection is offsite and advance notice is required for retrieval. Material must be requested at least 4 business days in advance of visit. The collection is available for use during San Francisco History Center hours. Photographs are available during Photo Desk hours.
- Terms of access:
-
All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the City Archivist. Permission for publication is given on behalf of the San Francisco Public Library as the owner of the physical items.
- Preferred citation:
-
San Francisco Birthday Celebration Records. San Francisco Public Library, San Francisco History Center
- Location of this collection:
-
San Francisco Public Library100 Larkin StreetSan Francisco, CA 94102, US
- Contact:
- (415) 557-4567