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Events
A calendar of historical happenings
A calendar of historical happenings
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.
Contact us to bring some San Francisco history to your next gathering.
We're opening a temporary museum in the former Cliff House Gift Shop, in partnership with ACT Art Conservation and The Great Highway gallery, and with support from the Golden Gate National Recreation Area’s Park Archives and Records Center (PARC) and the Global Museum at SF State.
This temporary exhibition showcases a selection of art and artifacts WNP recently saved from an auction that liquidated historical holdings of the Hountalas family--longtime proprietors of the iconic Cliff House restaurant, which closed in December 2020--and will support an exhibition currently on display at the WNP Office + Gallery at 1617 Balboa Street in the Richmond District. Both are free to the public.
The Museum opened to the general public on Saturday, October 23, 2021 and will welcome visitors to the western edge of San Francisco until April 10th. Historic photographs of the area, bathing suits from the Sutro Baths, charming vintage Cliff House souvenirs, and more from WNP will be displayed alongside archaeological remnants of Sutro Heights statuary, a taxidermied monkey from the Sutro Baths Museum, and other pieces rarely seen from the PARC collection.
Selections from the Egyptian collection amassed by Adolph Sutro, stewarded by the Global Museum, will also be on display in addition to works from local artists. Rounding out the exhibition will be kid-friendly interactives and friendly volunteers to welcome you.
Museum hours are Thursdays through Sundays, 11:00am until 4:00pm.
Special thanks to so many people, but especially to the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, Grants for the Arts, and District 1 Supervisor Connie Chan for their support of this exhibition.
More Info
map to: The Museum at The Cliff 1090 Point Lobos Ave, SF, CA, 94121
Contact: Nicole Meldahl nicole@outsidelands.org
With support from the Prelinger Archives, we are thrilled to premiere the first of four projected video artworks by Ben Wood animating local history The Museum at The Cliff, located in the former Cliff House Gift Shop at 1090 Point Lobs Avenue, on December 4, 2021.
This installation, naturally secluded from Point Lobos Avenue for an intimate viewing experience, will illuminate three northerly-facing windows with diverse scenes of the Cliff House and connected sites. Imagery will show change over time at the Cliff House through the sequenced montage of commercial photography and studio portraits, amateur snapshots, found footage and B-roll that also show the Sutro Baths, Sutro Heights Park, and Playland at the Beach. This creates silent yet enthralling historic context for the Sutro District and also supports artifacts from the WNP, PARC, and Global Museum collections on display inside The Museum at The Cliff and nearby at The Lands End Lookout.
Join us at 5:30pm on Saturday, December 4, 2021 and be the first to see this special installation. The Museum at The Cliff will be open late for viewing, and there will be drinks to keep us warm.
Speaking of staying warm, please bring layers as the projected video will be experienced outside. Pandemic-appropriate masks will be required to visit The Museum. This event is free but donations are appreciated to keep our nonprofit going. Registration in advance is not mandatory but appreciated.
More Info
map to: The Museum at The Cliff 1090 Point Lobos Avenue
Contact: Nicole Meldahl nicole@outsidelands.org
more info: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/projection-premiere-at-the-museum-at-the-cliff-tickets-215294400347
Nicole Meldahl and Chelsea Sellin in conversation with local historians, artists, longtime west side residents, and other surprise guests, chatting about a variety of historical subjects in a very relaxed atmosphere. Audience members are encouraged to participate and, of course, bring their beverage of choice.
For the final History Happy Hour of 2021, we're going out strong with Chris Carlsson and LisaRuth Elliott of Shaping San Francisco. It's no exaggeration to say their history talks and tours are legendary, and somehow they also find the time to make art, write books, manage an incredible online archive of history articles called FoundSF.org, and so much more. But most importantly, they are delightful human beings. We can't wait to chat with them about their history and some of their favorite western neighborhood haunts.
This event is free but donations are appreciated and pre-registration is required through Eventbrite. A Zoom link will be emailed to you with the confirmation email. Please let us know if you have any trouble finding it.
More Info
map to: The Interwebs San Francisco
Contact: Nicole Meldahl nicole@outsidelands.org
more info: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/wnp-history-happy-hour-with-shaping-san-francisco-tickets-205307469167
Join us to celebrate the most wonderful time of the year with a Holiday Open House at our office and gallery in the Richmond District!
We'll have festive decor, gifts to purchase for your seasonal shopping needs, and, back by popular demand, a grilled cheese station. Grab a snack, view our exhibition of art and artifacts from the Cliff House, and enjoy a beverage of your choice while we commune around local history.
They say you can't go home again, but you're always welcome at our Home for History. Reservations are not required but RSVPs are appreciated so we can estimate our catering needs.
Please note that we will be following pandemic protocols as outlined by the City of San Francisco at the time of our event. Since we'll be enjoying food and drinks inside, please be prepared to show your proof of COVID-19 vaccination at the door.
More Info
map to: Home for History 1617 Balboa Street, San Francisco, CA, 94121
Contact: Nicole Meldahl nicole@outsidelands.org
more info: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/wnp-holiday-open-house-tickets-207675652467
Join our Executive Director Nicole Meldahl as she takes you an an intimate tour of The Museum at The Cliff, located in the former Cliff House Gift Shop, on Saturday, December 18, 2021 at 10:00am.
With her noted enthusiasm, Nicole will walk you through the stories behind the Cliff House, Sutro Baths, and Sutro Heights on this one hour tour. See souvenirs, one of Adolph Sutro's taxidermy monkeys, a collection of 4,000 year-old Egyptian artifacts, and more as she highlights her favorite pieces on display and provides context that will help you better appreciate the special history of this area known as Lands End. Plus, you can't beat the view...
This tour is free for WNP Members and $20 for non-members. It is limited to 12 people and will take place before the museum opens. Please arrive 5 minutes early and be prepared to wear a pandemic-appropriate mask while touring the exhibition.
More Info
map to: The Museum at The Cliff 1090 Point Lobos Avenue
Contact: Nicole Meldahl nicole@outsidelands.org
more info: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/curators-tour-of-the-museum-at-the-cliff-tickets-210176382217
With support from the Prelinger Archives, we are thrilled to premiere the second of four projected video artworks by Ben Wood animating local history The Museum at The Cliff, located in the former Cliff House Gift Shop at 1090 Point Lobs Avenue, on Saturday, January 8, 2022.
This installation, naturally secluded from Point Lobos Avenue for an intimate viewing experience, will illuminate three northerly-facing windows with diverse scenes of the Cliff House and connected sites. Imagery shows change over time at the Cliff House through the sequenced montage of commercial photography and studio portraits, amateur snapshots, found footage and B-roll that also show the Sutro Baths, Sutro Heights Park, and Playland at the Beach. This creates silent yet enthralling historic context for the Sutro District and also supports artifacts from the WNP, PARC, and Global Museum collections on display inside The Museum at The Cliff and nearby at The Lands End Lookout.
Join us at 5:30pm on Saturday, January 8, 2022 and be the first to see this special installation. The Museum at The Cliff will be open late for viewing, and there will be drinks to keep us warm.
Speaking of staying warm, please bring layers as the projected video will be experienced outside. Pandemic-appropriate masks will be required to visit The Museum. This event is free but donations are appreciated to keep our nonprofit going. Registration in advance is not mandatory but appreciated.
More Info
map to: The Museum at The Cliff 1090 Point Lobos Avenue
Contact: Nicole Meldahl nicole@outsidelands.org
more info: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/projection-premiere-at-the-museum-at-the-cliff-tickets-215337599557
Join our Executive Director Nicole Meldahl as she takes you an an intimate tour of The Museum at The Cliff, located in the former Cliff House Gift Shop, on Saturday, January 15, 2022 at 10:00am.
With her noted enthusiasm, Nicole will walk you through the stories behind the Cliff House, Sutro Baths, and Sutro Heights on this one hour tour. See souvenirs, one of Adolph Sutro's taxidermy monkeys, a collection of 4,000 year-old Egyptian artifacts, and more as she highlights her favorite pieces on display and provides context that will help you better appreciate the special history of this area known as Lands End. Plus, you can't beat the view...
This tour is free for WNP Members and $20 for non-members. It is limited to 12 people and will take place before the museum opens. Please arrive 5 minutes early and be prepared to wear a pandemic-appropriate mask while touring the exhibition.
More Info
map to: The Museum at The Cliff 1090 Point Lobos Avenue
Contact: Nicole Meldahl nicole@outsidelands.org
more info: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/curators-tour-of-the-museum-at-the-cliff-tickets-210185509517
With support from the Prelinger Archives, we are thrilled to premiere the third of four projected video artworks by Ben Wood animating local history The Museum at The Cliff, located in the former Cliff House Gift Shop at 1090 Point Lobs Avenue, on February 12, 2022.
This installation, naturally secluded from Point Lobos Avenue for an intimate viewing experience, will illuminate three northerly-facing windows with diverse scenes of the Cliff House and connected sites. Imagery shows change over time at the Cliff House through the sequenced montage of commercial photography and studio portraits, amateur snapshots, found footage and B-roll that also show the Sutro Baths, Sutro Heights Park, and Playland at the Beach. This creates silent yet enthralling historic context for the Sutro District and also supports artifacts from the WNP, PARC, and Global Museum collections on display inside The Museum at The Cliff and nearby at The Lands End Lookout.
Join us at 5:30pm on Saturday, February 12, 2022 and be the first to see this special installation. The Museum at The Cliff will be open late for viewing, and there will be refreshments to keep us warm.
Speaking of staying warm, please bring layers as the projected video will be experienced outside. Pandemic-appropriate masks will be required to visit The Museum. This event is free but donations are appreciated to keep our nonprofit going. Registration in advance is not mandatory but appreciated.
More Info
map to: The Museum at The Cliff 1090 Point Lobos Avenue
Contact: Nicole Meldahl nicole@outsidelands.org
more info: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/projection-premiere-at-the-museum-at-the-cliff-tickets-215338963637
Join our Executive Director Nicole Meldahl as she takes you an an intimate tour of The Museum at The Cliff, located in the former Cliff House Gift Shop, on Saturday, February 19, 2022 at 10:00am.
With her noted enthusiasm, Nicole will walk you through the stories behind the Cliff House, Sutro Baths, and Sutro Heights on this one hour tour. See souvenirs, one of Adolph Sutro's taxidermy monkeys, a collection of 4,000 year-old Egyptian artifacts, and more as she highlights her favorite pieces on display and provides context that will help you better appreciate the special history of this area known as Lands End. Plus, you can't beat the view...
This tour is free for WNP Members and $20 for non-members. It is limited to 12 people and will take place before the museum opens. Please arrive 5 minutes early and be prepared to wear a pandemic-appropriate mask while touring the exhibition.
More Info
map to: The Museum at The Cliff 1090 Point Lobos Avenue
Contact: Nicole Meldahl nicole@outsidelands.org
more info: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/curators-tour-of-the-museum-at-the-cliff-tickets-210186823447
Join our Executive Director Nicole Meldahl as she takes you an an intimate tour of The Museum at The Cliff, located in the former Cliff House Gift Shop, on Saturday, March 19, 2022 at 10:00am.
With her noted enthusiasm, Nicole will walk you through the stories behind the Cliff House, Sutro Baths, and Sutro Heights on this one hour tour. See souvenirs, one of Adolph Sutro's taxidermy monkeys, a collection of 4,000 year-old Egyptian artifacts, and more as she highlights her favorite pieces on display and provides context that will help you better appreciate the special history of this area known as Lands End. Plus, you can't beat the view...
This will be the last tour of The Museum before it closes in April and it is limited to 12 people. It is free for WNP Members and $20 for non-members and will take place before the museum opens. Please arrive 5 minutes early and be prepared to wear a pandemic-appropriate mask while touring the exhibition.
More Info
map to: The Museum at The Cliff 1090 Point Lobos Avenue
Contact: Nicole Meldahl nicole@outsidelands.org
more info: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/curators-tour-of-the-museum-at-the-cliff-tickets-210191978867
