San Francisco Maritime Museum records, 1921-1979, bulk 1963-1977

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Summary

Title:
San Francisco Maritime Museum records
Dates:
1921-1979, bulk 1963-1977
Creators:
San Francisco Maritime Museum
Abstract:
The San Francisco Maritime Museum records consist of textual records in nine series: Organizational records, Financial records, Correspondence, Library records, Museum Vessel records, Museum Publications, Manuscripts, Periodical Articles and Newspaper Articles. The bulk of the collection dates are 1963 to 1977; inclusive dates are 1921 to 1978. The Museum was dedicated on May 27, 1951 in the Casino Building of Aquatic Park. Mrs. Alma de Brettville Spreckles and Karl Kortum were the lead individuals. The first vessel of the Historic Fleet was the Balclutha, purchased in 1954.
Extent:
27 linear ft
Language:
In English.
Preferred citation:

[Item description], [Location within collection organization identified by Collection Number/Series Number/File Unit Number/Item Number], HDC0649 (SAFR 9386), San Francisco Maritime Museum records, San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park

Background

Scope and content:

The San Francisco Maritime Museum records consist of textual records in nine series: Organizational records, Financial records, Correspondence, Library records, Museum Vessel records, Museum Publications, Manuscripts, Periodical Articles and Newspaper Articles. The bulk of the collection dates are 1963 to 1977; inclusive dates are 1921 to 1978. The Museum was dedicated on May 27, 1951 in the Casino Building of Aquatic Park. Mrs. Alma de Brettville Spreckles and Karl Kortum were the lead individuals. The first vessel of the Historic Fleet was the Balclutha, purchased in 1954.

Biographical / historical:

The San Francisco Maritime Museum Association was incorporated in California on January 6, 1950. The formal dedication of the San Francisco Maritime Museum occurred on May 27, 1951 in the Casino Building of Aquatic Park.

The San Francisco Maritime Museum had its beginnings in the San Francisco Museum of Science and Industry, which was conceived by Mrs. Alma de Brettville Spreckels in 1939 and opened to the public in 1941. The Museum of Science and Industry was comprised mainly of an impressive collection of ship models and artifacts, which were exhibited at Aquatic Park and various other locations in the Bay Area during World War II.

Karl Kortum, a maritime history enthusiast and able bodied seaman freshly returned from a voyage on the bark Kaiulani (1948), contacted Mrs. Spreckels to discuss his vision of a maritime museum for San Francisco. He believed that historic ships, on exhibit and available to the public, would create a more interesting and economically viable museum than ship models.

In 1954, the San Francisco Maritime Museum Association undertook the purchase and restoration of the historic sailing vessel Balclutha. A year later, after extensive restoration, the Balclutha opened to the public at Pier 43.

In 1956 a bill was passed through the state legislature that called for the purchase of the schooners C.A. Thayer and Wapama, and also created the San Francisco Maritime State Historic Park. The ferry Eureka and scow schooner Alma were acquired (1958-1959) and in 1960, the State Public Works Board approved the expenditure of $75,000 for the creation of an authentic Victorian Park.

In 1977, the San Francisco Maritime State Historic Park became part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area; in 1978 the holdings of the San Francisco Maritime Museum Association were transferred to the National Park Service.

Acquisition information:

SAFR-00001

SAFR-00132, SAFR-00274, SAFR-00432, SAFR-00658, SAFR-00685, SAFR-01048, SAFR-01068, SAFR-01524, SAFR-01679, SAFR-02214, SAFR-02290

This collection was transferred from Golden Gate National Recreation Area to San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park.

Processing information:

The descriptions in this collection guide were compiled using the best available sources of information. Such sources include the creator's annotations or descriptions, collection accession files, primary and secondary source material and subject matter experts. While every effort was made to provide accurate information, in the event that you find any errors in this guide please contact the reference staff in order for us to evaulate and make corrections to this guide.

Please cite the title and collection number in any correspondence with our staff.

Arrangement:
Arranged into 9 Series and ordered alphabetically by folder title:
  • Series 1: Organizational Records (1950-1961)
  • Series 2: Financial Records (1954-1972)
  • Series 3: Correspondence (1951-1978): by Individual (1951-1978) and by Subject (1951-1975
  • Series 4: Library Records (1954-1976)
  • Series 5: Museum Vessel Records (1921-1977)
  • Series 6: Museum Publications (1962-1977)
  • Series 7: Manuscripts (1954, 1962)
  • Series 8: Periodical articles (1951-1977)
  • Series 9: Newspaper articles (1950-1970)
Physical location:
San Francisco Maritime NHP, Historic Documents Department
Physical description:
.
Rules or conventions:
Finding aid prepared using Describing Archives: A Content Standard .

About this collection guide

Collection Guide Author:
Processed by: Mary Gentry, 2002 July 23.
Date Prepared:
2015
Date Encoded:
Machine-readable finding aid derived from ICMS database and converted into xml from a template revised and updated by San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park, Historic Documents Department. 2/6/2015 .

Access and use

Restrictions:

This collection is open for use unless otherwise noted.

Terms of access:

Some material may be copyrighted or restricted. It is the researcher's obligation to determine and satisfy copyright or other case restrictions when publishing or otherwise distributing materials found in the collections.

Preferred citation:

[Item description], [Location within collection organization identified by Collection Number/Series Number/File Unit Number/Item Number], HDC0649 (SAFR 9386), San Francisco Maritime Museum records, San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park

Location of this collection:
Building E, Fort Mason
San Francisco, CA 94123, US
Contact:
415-561-7030
Website