• A section of the bowsprint and figurehead on the bow of BALCLUTHA.

    San Francisco Maritime

    National Historical Park California

The Voyages Curriculum

Collage of images on the cover of the Voyages curriculum.
The voyages of ships and boats link San Francisco with the region, the nation, and the world.

The people who have made these voyages shaped the nature of the city and defined its place in American history and culture.
 
The six lessons in this unit explore the connections between people, maritime history and the development of California.

The lessons are based on the artifacts, photographs and ideas found in the San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park. They relate directly to exhibits in the park visitor center.

These lessons can be used to enhance your visit to the park, and in the classroom. They connect to the California State Education Content Standards and Framework for Grades 4-6.
NPS Photo
 
Sailors hauling on a line aboard a ship.

What is it like at sea?

Sea Captain's Daughter lesson (pdf - 1.6MB)

 
Historical photograph of a California Gold Rush miner.

Why voyage to San Francisco?

Gold Miner and his son lesson (pdf - 1.5MB)

 
Historical photograph of a Chinese cobbler in San Francisco.

How have voyages impacted San Francisco?

Cobbler and his son lesson (pdf - 1.4MB)

 
Historic photograph of a San Francisco fisherman repairing his net.

How are voyages connected to industry?

Fisherman's Daughter lesson (pdf - 1.7MB)

 
A historical photo of a woman on the deck of a sailing ship using a sextant.

How do ships navigate from place to place at sea?

Navigator lesson (pdf - 1MB)

 
A historic photo of a lighthouse keeper and his family.

What has this light witnessed?

Lighthouse Family lesson (pdf - 1.4MB)

Did You Know?

The Grace Quan, a Chinese shrimp junk, sailing on San Francisco Bay.

In 2003 employees and volunteers, from San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park and China Camp State Park in Northern California, built a replica of a Chinese Shrimp Junk and named it the GRACE QUAN. More...