National Park Service Park News U.S. Department of the Interior The Official Newspaper of San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park The Maritime News September, October, November 2011 Walk the SF Waterfront in the Visitor Center Above, left: A small section of one of three large murals specially painted for "The Waterfront" exhibit being constructed in the park's Visitor Center. The mural depicts the San Francisco Bay shoreline near the Golden Gate as it looked in the 1770s. In the distance on the hill is The Presidio (fort), built by the Spanish in 1776. Above, right: The introductory panel of the exhibit uses an 1878 map of San Francisco showing the six immersive environments along the "walk." NPS Photos In the back half of the visitor center a unique exhibit is taking clamor along the shore, and get lost in the salt-soaked stories shape. When completed early next year, visitors will be able to that made “Frisco” a legendary port. But just in case, wear Welcome take an historic “walk” along the water’s edge of San Fran- comfortable shoes and dress in layers, because this exhibit cisco beginning at the Golden Gate near a Native American may inspire you to go out and explore the real thing! For up- Before you get distracted by Yelamu village and ending in the shipyards at Hunter’s Point dates on how the exhibit is progressing, please call the Visitor all these exciting fall offerings, please add our Park Open House in the southern part of the city. Your feet will not be nearly as Center information desk, 415-447-5000. to your calendar: Thursday, Sep- tired as if you walked the actual nine miles, but your senses tember 29, from 4–7pm, in the will be overwhelmed by the hundreds of rare artifacts and Maritime Museum lobby. Stop by for the latest scuttlebutt about photographs displayed within recreated settings of a long- park resources and upcoming since vanished waterfront. projects! Historic sections of San Francisco’s storied waterfront, not She may not be a sleek trireme seen for over a hundred years, are being replicated. Among (Hellenistic-era warship), but our them are a full scale reconstruction of a sailor’s boarding 1891 Alma is playing the role of sailing stage in an innovative house, waterfront piers, a Barbary Coast bar, and the sandy production of the classic sea shoreline of an Indian village. The stories of people who came story The Odyssey. These We to and from ports on the East and West Coasts, and from all Players events will transform a series of autumn Bay sails into over the world, will be told. Listen in as sailors trade yarns at a fantastic voyages of exploration Barbary coast bar and as Italian fish sellers and their custom- and homecoming. Reserve your ers haggle over prices along Fisherman's Wharf. Your ears will seat on the oar bench today! ring with the clamor of steel shipbuilding as you make your This October, our Sea Chantey way toward Hunter's Point. Program turns 30! Help us cel- Abby Lawton, a volunteer in the park's preservation lab, cleaning an ebrate three decades of aural Park employees have collaborated with historians and schol- history with a day of free music eight-foot long telescope made in SF in the mid 1800s that will be on ars from the Native American, Chinese, and Italian communi- on Hyde Street Pier. Past par- display — one of the hundreds of artifacts that will be included in the ties to inform and enhance the exhibit. ticipants: reunite with the crew. exhibit. NPS Photo by Eloise Warren SAFR12337 Greenhorns: this is your chance The exhibit is organized into six areas. (See map above.) Upon to join the chorus! entering, visitors will be drawn into the lush, marshy edge of And inside this issue: learn how San Francisco Bay during the 1770s in the area we now know Park historians are using a silver as Crissy Field, as they stand and gaze into a huge floor to ceil- pitcher to enrich the legacy of ing mural. Pacific Mail Steamship captain Richard L. Whiting (who was part The park worked with Native American consultant Linda of the SS California’s crew when she entered the Yamane to accurately depict a wind-swept Yelamu village. Golden Gate in Ms. Yamane constructed the tule reed canoe that rests at the 1849). shoreline. Also, botanists, geologists, and historians all con- tributed, ensuring the accuracy of the landscape, wildlife, and structures that are portrayed. Craig Kenkel Superintendent So get ready early next year to take a “walk along the edge” and visit a wind-swept Yelamu village at the Golden Gate, find Gold Rush ships buried under the Barbary Coast, hear the Linda Yamane with the tule reed canoe she made for the exhibit. NPS Photo 1 Exhibit In 2 A Silver Link 4 Comics Visitor Center Transformation …1 To Our Golden Superintendent’s Message…1 Visitor Center For Kids Visitor Information…2 Our outer space visitors Taking Shape Past Silver Link to Golden Past…2 have returned to the park "The Waterfront" exhibit is A beautiful silver pitcher opens the door after a visit to their mother Events and Programs…3 transforming the Visitor Center and will to the past providing some answers and planet to teach us a thing or two about Comics for Kids…4 be opening to the public next year. posing many new questions. the evolution of shipbuilding. Park Map…4 ......................................................... ......................................................... ......................................................... Today in the Park...4 the company. Perhaps the cup was pre- sented by him to some unknown person National Park Service A Silver Link in recognition for an heroic deed. We just U.S. Department of the Interior do not know, but we will continue our search for the missing puzzle pieces that To Our surround this pitcher. For now, however, it has forged a small silver link to our golden San Francisco Maritime past. National Historical Park Golden Past Established in 1988, San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park BY DIANE COOPER, MUSEUM TECHNICIAN Alma encompasses 34 acres, and contains the The and The park maintains a large collection most National Historic Landmarks of of artifacts and archival materials. Each any unit in the National Park Service. In artifact, document, or photograph has a The Odyssey addition to the fleet of historic ships at story to tell and offers insights to our past. Hyde Street Pier, the park includes the Through the study of the physical objects Aquatic Park Historic District (Maritime people created and endowed with mean- Museum, beach, lawn area, and bocce ing, we have the opportunity to gain a ball courts), a Visitor Center and a greater understanding of our past and how research library (in Fort Mason Center). it shapes our present-day. The pitcher is decorated with waterfront Superintendent With each new donation, a new piece of scenes along the sides and a detailed relief Craig Kenkel a giant jigsaw puzzle is found and fit into image of a steamship from the Pacific Mail place, revealing a bit more of the historical Steamship Company on the front. Below Chief of Interpretation picture. One recent donation that we are the steamer, “From Capt. R.L. Whiting John Cunnane (Acting) fitting into our puzzle is an ornately deco- 1857,” is inscribed. The Pacific Mail Steam- rated eleven-inch-high silver pitcher that ship Company started just as gold was The park welcomes the We Players’ pro- Public Affairs Officer The Odyssey was crafted during the mid-nineteenth discovered in California (1848) and grew duction of the classic sea story Lynn Cullivan aboard the park’s 1891 scow schooner century and the early days of California along with the city of San Francisco. The Alma. For eleven autumn afternoons, from statehood (1850). Pacific Mail steamer SS California arrived Maritime News Editor September 17 to November 18, Alma’s in San Francisco Bay in February 1849, Christine Baird broad, sturdy deck will evoke Odysseus’ loaded with mail from the East Coast and sleek black triremes, and help tell the over 350 gold seeking passengers, becom- Mailing Address unlucky sailor’s tale of travel, exploration, ing the first steamship to pass through the and homecoming. Fort Mason Center, Building E Golden Gate. San Francisco, CA 94123 Each performance will take place during Among the crew members was First Officer a three-hour sail on San Francisco Bay, Fax Number Richard L. Whiting who was later pro- as the cast and crew weave real-time line 415-556-1624 moted to captain and commanded several handling with Homer’s stirring account of of the Pacific Mail steamships. Whiting weary seafarers striking sail for home. Au- Park Information settled in San Francisco, marrying and dience seating is limited to 40 per perfor- mance, and tickets are available in advance 415-447-5000 raising a family in the city’s South Park only. Performance dates are 9/17, 18; 10/1, district. A distinguished captain and be- 28, 29; 11/4, 5, 6, 11, 12, 18. For reservations Contributors to Volume 34: loved member of his community, the city and ticket information, please visit www. Tim Campbell, Dave Casebolt, Lynn lowered its flags to half mast when he died weplayers.org. Cullivan, Diane Cooper, John Cunnane, suddenly on January 31, 1861. Richard Everett, Amy Hosa, and Peter We Players is a local collective which Kasin. So how does this silver pitcher fit into our presents site-specific performances that historical jigsaw puzzle? Initially, this transform public spaces into realms of The Maritime News September, October, piece offers a tangible glimpse into the participatory theatre.