Collection context
Summary
- Creators:
- San Francisco Museum of Science and Industry
- Abstract:
- Files of the San Francisco Museum of Science & Industry-Marine Section, predecessor of the San Francisco Maritime Museum (1940-1953). This collection of correspondence files was originally divided into two sections, subject and general (1940-1949). The files were left in their original order. Much of the correspondence involves Alma de Brettville Spreckels, Honorary Chairman of the S.F. Museum of Science and Industry, Dr. Howard M. McKinley, Director of the Museum and Walter J. Walsh, Board Member & Attorney for the Museum. The collection also contains two visitor's logbooks.
- Extent:
- 4.2 linear feet
- Language:
- English.
Background
- Scope and content:
-
Files of the San Francisco Museum of Science & Industry-Marine Section, predecessor of the San Francisco Maritime Museum (1940-1953).
This collection of correspondence files was originally divided into two sections, subject and general (1940-1949). The files were left in their original order. Much of the correspondence involves Alma de Brettville Spreckles, Honorary Chairman of the S.F. Museum of Science and Industry, Dr. Howard M. McKinley, Director of the Museum and Walter J. Walsh, Board Member & Attorney for the Museum.
The collection also contains two visitor's logbooks. One volume dated from August 22, 1941 to June 24, 1943. The other volume is from October 24, 1940 to August, 24 1941, with additional material from June 9, 1953 to June 11, 1953 included at the end.
- Biographical / historical:
-
The idea for the creation of the San Francisco Museum of Science and Industry grew out of a marine exhibit at the Golden Gate International Exposition, held on Treasure Island, San Francisco, in 1939-1940. Ship models, assembled by shipping executive Edward S. Clark, and prints were included in the display. After the Exposition was over, the models and prints were gathered and displayed at the Merchants Exchange Building at 465 California Street in San Francisco, in October 1940. A committee of public-spirited citizens, led by Mrs. Adolph B. Spreckles, sponsored the exhibit, which lasted 6 months.
In May of 1941, the San Francisco Museum of Science and Industry was opened, in space at the Aquatic Park Center bath house, which was offered to the new Museum by the San Francisco Park Commission. Future plans for the Museum were to include exhibits of land and air transportation, mining and other industrial and scientific collections as well as native handicraft items. The Museum was hoped to be a center of research for scientists, as well as the general public.
When the U.S. entered World War II, the Aquatic Park Center bath house became a center for anti-aircraft forces. The Museum was dismantled to make room for the Army. The fledgling collections were housed for a short time in the California Palace of the Legion of Honor. The ship models were later loaned to the Maritime Commission to aid in training personnel. After the indoctrination courses were discontinued, the models were made available at the Aquatic Park Center bath house for the benefit of the service men. After the war, the Marine Section of the San Francisco Museum of Science and Industry was opened, again in the bath house. The marine exhibit remained at the bath house until 1949.
The original collection of models and prints were later augmented with more models, historic documents, including photographs, books and various types of nautical equipment.
- Acquisition information:
-
Immediate Source of Acquisition:
Golden Gate National Recreation Area under accession SAFR-1 , transferred internally from another National Park Service unit.
- Arrangement:
-
Organized in three series, as follows: Series 1: Correspondence; Series 2: Miscellaneous Records; Series 3: Visitors Logbooks.
- Rules or conventions:
- Finding aid prepared using Describing Archives: a Content Standard
Access and use
- Location of this collection:
-
Building E, Fort MasonSan Francisco, CA 94123, US
- Contact:
- 415-561-7030