This collection is primarily visual documentation of the programmatic activities of the San Francisco Recreation Department. Subjects pertain to administrative units of the department and include materials related to music, dance, drama, costuming, holiday celebrations, pageants, doll shows and puppetry.

The history of the San Francisco Recreation Department can be traced to the 1860s, when the Department of Streets, Sewers, and Squares began publishing Municipal Reports including expenditures on park improvements. A Park Commission under the jurisdiction of the State of California was established in 1871, in part to oversee the development of Golden Gate Park. By 1900 the City took over the Park Commission under the Home Rule Charter. In 1907 a separate Playground Commission was approved by voters. The Playground Commission became the Recreation Commission in 1932, to support the establishment of the San Francisco Recreation Department, which had become a municipal department in 1926. The history of services in San Francisco can be divided into three periods: 1) 1907-1911 when the Playground Commission was established and the first playgrounds were built; 2) 1911-1926 when budgetary imperatives and uneven growth could not meet the demand for sports and other recreation programming at city facilities; and 3) 1926-1950 when the city had a dedicated Recreation Department. In 1950 the Parks Department and Recreation Department consolidated.

4 cartons, 4 oversized boxes (10.73 cubic feet)

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.

The collection is available for use during San Francisco History Center hours, with photographs available during Photo Desk hours. Collections that are stored offsite should be requested 48 hours in advance.