Events

WNP Events Calendar

Western Neighborhoods Project shares local history at events for community organizations, clubs, businesses, schools, and fairs. We also host our own events, including special walks and symposiums exclusively for WNP members.

History Happy Hour(WNP Event)
Sep 24, 2020 5:30pm-6:30pm (Thursday) at Virtual Online Event

Nicole Meldahl, Chelsea Sellin, and David Gallagher in conversation with local historians, artists, longtime west side residents, and other surprise guests, chatting about a variety of historical subjects. Audience members are encouraged to participate via chat and, of course, bring their beverage of choice.

This week we sit down with local artist Thomas Beutel, who has used our OpenSFHistory archive in ways we never could have imagined! Thomas, a longtime resident of the Sunset District, tinkers with urban art which are kinetic miniatures and automata that incorporate movement and sound. He takes his inspiration from his neighborhood, local history and the natural fauna of the area.

This event is free but donations are appreciated and pre-registration is required.

A Zoom link will be emailed to you after registration. If you don't receive it immediately, please let us know.

Sponsored by the Office of Economic and Workforce Development via the Invest in Neighborhoods Program courtesy of District 1 Supervisor Sandra Lee Fewer.

RSVP/More Info
map to: Virtual Online Event
Contact: Nicole Meldahl nicole@outsidelands.org
Podcast Live Audience - Willie Mays (WNP Event)
Sep 25, 2020 6:00pm-7:00pm (Friday) at Virtual Online Event
Be a part of our Live Audience for our weekly podcast recording! Join our podcast crew Nicole, David, and Woody for this exclusive behind-the-scenes recording session with added visual content, out-takes, and access to the after party. Tickets are normally $7.50 but this recording is free for San Francisco History Days 2020

This week we'll be talking about Willie Mays and his experiences living on the west side.

See registration link in the "More Info" line below.
More Info
map to: Virtual Online Event
Contact: Nicole Meldahl nicole@outsidelands.org
more info: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_4lWOlfcCQs6gKvqKCDeQbg
VIRTUAL West Portal, Claremont Court & Merritt Terrace History Walk(WNP Event)
Sep 26, 2020 10:00am-12:00pm (Saturday)
COVID-19 UPDATE: This event has been changed from in-person to virtual due to an abundance of caution.

San Francisco is not known for its picturesque suburban streets, landscaping, detached houses, and setbacks to convey the feeling of living in a park. But between 1905 and 1924, thirty-six such neighborhoods called “residence parks” were proposed or built in the City. Some of the better-known ones are St Francis Wood, Forest Hill and Sea Cliff but there were many others.

WNP Board member Richard Brandi wrote THE book about them (due the end of the year by McFarland Publishing.), and he will lead you through West Portal Park, Claremont Court and Merritt Terrace for a physically distanced and refreshing tour.

Sponsored by the Office of Economic and Workforce Development via the Invest in Neighborhoods Project courtesy of District 1 Supervisor Sandra Lee Fewer. This event is free but pre-registration is required. You will receive the Zoom link in an email after registration.
RSVP/More Info
Contact: Nicole Meldahl nicole@outsidelands.org
WNP Story Time!(WNP Event)
Oct 7, 2020 4:30pm-5:30pm (Wednesday) at Virtual Online Event
Nicole Meldahl will read classic and history-themed children’s stories live the first Wednesday of every month. We began this series on Facebook Live in May and, after a month off, are shifting to Zoom! Fun for kids of all ages, even if you’re just a kid at heart. This month we’re reading a 1950s classic: “Fly High, Fly Low” by Don Freeman, recommended for ages 3-5.

Sid the pigeon is very choosy about finding just the right home in the magnificent city of San Francisco. And find it he does, in the loop of a huge “B” in an electric sign high up on a skyscraper. Sid’s view of San Francisco is without equal. So Sid asks the lovely dove Midge to share his home. But one morning, while Midge is taking her turn sitting on two eggs, disaster strikes. A truck comes and workers take down the letters on the skyscraper one-by-one. Winner of the Caldecott Honor, “Fly High, Fly Low” is a heartwarming story of two birds making a home—and then making another one—in one of America’s great cities.

Sponsored by the Sunset Heights Association of Responsible People (SHARP) as part of our Education Initiative. All books were purchased at our favorite independent bookseller in the Richmond District, Green Apple Books. This event is free (but donations are appreciated) and pre-registration is required. A Zoom link will be emailed to you after registration.
RSVP/More Info
map to: Virtual Online Event
Contact: Nicole Meldahl nicole@outsidelands.org
more info: https://sharpsf.com
History Happy Hour(WNP Event)
Oct 8, 2020 5:30pm-6:30pm (Thursday) at Virtual Online Event
Nicole Meldahl, Chelsea Sellin, David Gallagher in conversation with local historians, artists, long-time west side residents, and other surprise guests, chatting about a variety of historical subjects. Audience members are encouraged to participate via chat and, of course, bring their beverage of choice.

This week we sit down with our friends from the Conservatory of Flowers, Sarah Sawtelle and Drew Risner-Davis. Sarah is Manager of Engagement at the Conservatory, where she loves working with phenomenal volunteers and leading 3rd graders on jungle field trips. She discovered her love of San Francisco history while working as a park ranger on Alcatraz Island, and she's also an alumna of the California Academy of Sciences. Drew has been Education and Volunteer Manager at the Conservatory since 2016. He leads highly entertaining tours of the Conservatory's permanent collection and loves hearing visitor stories from around the world. Join us to learn about some kooky history and visit the Conservatory vicariously through photos and fun tales.

This event is free (but donations are appreciated) and pre-registration is required.
Sponsored by the Office of Economic and Workforce Development via the Invest in Neighborhoods Program courtesy of District 1 Supervisor Sandra Lee Fewer.

A Zoom link will be emailed to you after registration. If you don't receive it immediately, please let us know.
RSVP/More Info
map to: Virtual Online Event
Contact: Nicole Meldahl nicole@outsidelands.org
VIRTUAL Forest Hill & Windsor Terrace History Walk(WNP Event)
Oct 10, 2020 10:00am-12:00pm (Saturday) at Virtual Online Event
COVID-19 UPDATE: This event has been changed from in-person to virtual due to an abundance of caution.

San Francisco is not known for its picturesque suburban streets, landscaping, detached houses, and setbacks to convey the feeling of living in a park. But between 1905 and 1924, thirty-six such neighborhoods called “residence parks” were proposed or built in the City. Some of the better-known ones are St Francis Wood, Forest Hill and Sea Cliff but there were many others.

WNP Board member Richard Brandi wrote THE book about them (due the end of the year by McFarland Publishing.), and he will lead you through Forest Hill and Windsor Terrace for a physically distanced and refreshing tour.

Sponsored by the Office of Economic and Workforce Development via the Invest in Neighborhoods Project courtesy of District 1 Supervisor Sandra Lee Fewer. This event is free but pre-registration is required. You will receive the Zoom link in an email after registration.
RSVP/More Info
map to: Virtual Online Event
Contact: Nicole Meldahl nicole@outsidelands.org
VIRTUAL Ashbury Heights & Terrace History Walk(WNP Event)
Oct 24, 2020 10:00am-12:00pm (Saturday) at Virtual Online Event
COVID-19 UPDATE: This event has been changed from in-person to virtual due to an abundance of caution.

San Francisco is not known for its picturesque suburban streets, landscaping, detached houses, and setbacks to convey the feeling of living in a park. But between 1905 and 1924, thirty-six such neighborhoods “called residence parks” were proposed or built in the City. Some of the better-known ones are St Francis Wood, Forest Hill and Sea Cliff but there were many others.

WNP Board member Richard Brandi wrote THE book about them (due the end of the year by McFarland Publishing), and he will lead you through Ashbury Heights and Ashbury Terrace (aka Pemberton steps) for a physically distanced and refreshing tour.

Sponsored by the Office of Economic and Workforce Development via the Invest in Neighborhoods Project courtesy of District 1 Supervisor Sandra Lee Fewer. This event is free but pre-registration is required. You will receive the Zoom link in an email after registration.
RSVP/More Info
map to: Virtual Online Event
Contact: Nicole Meldahl nicole@outsidelands.org
Lincoln Park Halloween Eve Walk
Oct 24, 2020 5:00pm-7:00pm (Saturday)
The fairways and greens of Lincoln Park were once the site of San Francisco's most remote and impoverished burial ground, City Cemetery. On this ghoulish guided walk led by historian and author John Martini, we'll learn about the rise and fall of the cemetery, explore a Chinese funerary temple, discover an iron memorial to forgotten sailors, and learn the surprises that lay beneath the Legion of Honor.

Sponsored by the Office of Economic and Workforce Development via the Invest in Neighborhoods Project courtesy of District 1 Supervisor Sandra Lee Fewer. Pre-registration is required and space is limited to 10 people to keep us COVID-19 safe, so reserve your space today for just $5. You will receive the secret meet-up location in an email.
Event is SOLD OUT

Contact: Nicole Meldahl nicole@outsidelands.org
WNP Story Time!(WNP Event)
Nov 4, 2020 4:30pm-5:30pm (Wednesday) at Virtual Online Event
Nicole Meldahl will read classic and history-themed children’s stories live the first Wednesday of every month. We began this series on Facebook Live in May and, after a month off, are shifting to Zoom! Fun for kids of all ages, even if you’re just a kid at heart. This month we’re reading the true story of “Humphry the Lost Whale” by Wendy Takuda and Richard Hall with illustrations by Hanako Waldyama, recommended for ages 5-9.

A humpback whale makes a wrong turn in San Francisco Bay and finds himself trapped in the fresh water of Sacramento River. With the help of scientists and whale watching friends, he makes his way back to the safety of his salty ocean home.

Sponsored by the Sunset Heights Association of Responsible People (SHARP) as part of our Education Initiative. All books were purchased at our favorite independent bookseller in the Richmond District, Green Apple Books. This event is free (but donations are appreciated) and pre-registration is required. A Zoom link will be emailed to you after registration.
RSVP/More Info
map to: Virtual Online Event
Contact: Nicole Meldahl nicole@outsidelands.org
more info: https://sharpsf.com
WNP Story Time!(WNP Event)
Dec 2, 2020 4:30pm-5:30pm (Wednesday) at Virtual Online Event
Nicole Meldahl will read a classic holiday children’s story to end our Story Time series and kick off the season. We began this series on Facebook Live in May and, after a month off, are shifting to Zoom! Fun for kids of all ages, even if you’re just a kid at heart. This one will be a festive surprise the whole family can enjoy.

Sponsored by the Sunset Heights Association of Responsible People (SHARP) as part of our Education Initiative. All books were purchased at our favorite independent bookseller in the Richmond District, Green Apple Books. This event is free (but donations are appreciated) and pre-registration is required. A Zoom link will be emailed to you after registration.
RSVP/More Info
map to: Virtual Online Event
Contact: Nicole Meldahl nicole@outsidelands.org
more info: https://sharpsf.com
WNP Annual Fundraising Gala(WNP Event)
Feb 21, 2021 6:00pm-10:00pm (Sunday) at The Clubhouse at Presidio Golf Course 300 Finley Road
Join us for a Gala celebration benefiting Western Neighborhoods Project!

Meet neighbors, old classmates, local history celebrities, and new friends. Enjoy fine food and drink, find a treat at the silent auction, hear old-school stories, and see rare historical pictures from the Outside Lands. Whether you are a native or a recent arrival, you will get a warm welcome at our celebration.

Early bird tickets are available now! Get more information and purchase tickets at http://outsidelands.org/gala/
More Info
map to: The Clubhouse at Presidio Golf Course 300 Finley Road
Contact: Nicole Meldahl nicole@outsidelands.org
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