Museum Collections

The museum collections exist to document and support the history of the sites found within the Golden Gate National Recreation Area.  The collection contains over 4.5 million items representing over 200 years of post European contact; natural resources of the north and south Pacific border regions of the California coast covering 12 distinct communities; and historical and military objects related to the history of the San Francisco Bay Area and the United States Army there

Park Archives and Records Center

The Park Archives and Records Center contains over 3 million documents, photographic images, oral histories and maps that document all areas and facets of the history associated with Golden Gate National Recreation Area from Spanish exploration and the establishment of the Presidio in 1776 to the Indian occupation of Alcatraz Island in 1969 as well as the current activities of the park. 

The Park Archives and Records Center houses a large collection of transferred Presidio Army Records pertaining to the Presidio of San Francisco and surrounding military sites. NPS management of these Army records means that there is access to a continual line of information about the natural and cultural resources of lands that were formerly managed by the Department of Defense. The primary contents of this collection include over 50,000 engineering drawings and maps of military sites, individual buildings, and coastal defenses.

Take a look at some of the collection's finding aids or browse the park's Photo Gallery which features images from the Park Archives.

Public Reference Hours

The Park Archives and Records Center has regular walk-in research hours for the public and staff.

Monday 1 pm - 4 pm
Thursday 10 am - 1 pm

Individual appointments are also available by calling (415) 561-2808 or e-mail us

The Center is closed for research on all federal holidays. Please check below or call for any additional closures.

PARC will also be closed:

Thursday, November 26, 2009 (Federal Holiday)

December 1 through 31, 2009 (Large collection's project and the holiday season) - we will reopen for reference on Monday, January 4, 2010.

Location

The facility is located on the Presidio of San Francisco in building 667, near the intersection of Mc Dowell Avenue and Cowles Street, off of Lincoln Boulevard in one of the 1914 historic brick stable buildings.