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Contact: Lucien Sonder, 415-561-7177
Join the National Park Service and partners on Monday, January 15, 2018, for a day of special events celebrating the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
“Through Our Voices: Get the Word Out!” will feature a panel of African American rangers presenting stories of African American struggles and triumphs connected to Bay Area national parks in the Maritime Museum Building at 900 Beach Street, San Francisco, from 10:30 AM-12:30 PM.
Panelists will include Betty Reid Soskin (Rosie the Riveter/WWII Home Front National Historical Park), Benny Batom (Alcatraz), NoeMesha Williams (San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park), Rik Penn (Presidio/Golden Gate National Recreation Area) and Kelli English (Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial). Historian John Templeton, founder of the African American Freedom Trail in San Francisco, will moderate the panel and frame these stories within the context of Dr. King’s work.
Following a break for refreshments, the program will continue at 2 PM with poetry and song. San Francisco native poet and activist Tongo Eisen-Martin will read from his work (Mr. Eisen-Martin’s second poetry collection was published in 2017 by City Lights, and his poem, “The Confidence Scheme,” recently appeared in the New York Times Magazine). Warming up the stage for Mr. Eisen-Martin will be poets James Cagney and Zack Hansen. To wrap up the event, ranger Frederik Penn will sing popular standards from the African American songbook, accompanied by a jazz ensemble.
Admission to this event is free, however reservations are required. Please reserve your seat at http://tinyurl.com/SAFRMLK2
Although visitors of all ages are welcome, high school students and teachers are especially invited to attend this program on their day off from school. This is a chance to learn more about the African American history that isn’t necessarily taught in school. Join in the discussion and let us know what Dr. King’s life and work means to you, and how these stories from national parks resonate with your own personal experience. We invite visitors to bring their favorite quote by Dr. King to share.
Looking for a way to give back to your community on the Martin Luther King Day of Service Park partners will also host two separate opportunities for the public to volunteer on cleanup projects. The Aquarium of the Bay’s beach cleanup runs from 10 AM – 1 PM. Meet up at their table at the east end of Aquatic Park beach. Sign up ahead at https://MLK2018APcleanup.ev
The Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy will also host their first volunteer workday at historic Black Point from 9 AM -12 PM. Volunteers will help to restore scenic garden walks recently freed (by grazing goats!) from decades of overgrowth. Projects will include weeding, pruning, and shoveling dirt. Brief tour and talk included. Meet at 9 AM on the lawn across from the Sea Scout Base (3500 Van Ness Ave). Bring a personal water bottle and sunscreen, sturdy shoes and clothes that can get dirty. Tools and gloves are provided. Please register in advance at http://www.parksconservancy
San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park, located at the west end of Fisherman’s Wharf, includes a fleet of historic ships, Visitor Center, Maritime Museum, Maritime Research Center, and the Aquatic Park Historic District. For more information, please call 415-447-5000 or visit nps.gov/safr, Twitter @SFMaritimeNPS, and Facebook @SanFranciscoMaritimeNHP. San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park offers assisted listening services on request. Sign Language interpreter services need to be requested at least five days in advance. Contact Accessibility Coordinator/Chief of Interpretation for more information at 415-859-6797, or e-mail us.
“Through Our Voices: Get the Word Out!” will feature a panel of African American rangers presenting stories of African American struggles and triumphs connected to Bay Area national parks in the Maritime Museum Building at 900 Beach Street, San Francisco, from 10:30 AM-12:30 PM.
Panelists will include Betty Reid Soskin (Rosie the Riveter/WWII Home Front National Historical Park), Benny Batom (Alcatraz), NoeMesha Williams (San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park), Rik Penn (Presidio/Golden Gate National Recreation Area) and Kelli English (Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial). Historian John Templeton, founder of the African American Freedom Trail in San Francisco, will moderate the panel and frame these stories within the context of Dr. King’s work.
Following a break for refreshments, the program will continue at 2 PM with poetry and song. San Francisco native poet and activist Tongo Eisen-Martin will read from his work (Mr. Eisen-Martin’s second poetry collection was published in 2017 by City Lights, and his poem, “The Confidence Scheme,” recently appeared in the New York Times Magazine). Warming up the stage for Mr. Eisen-Martin will be poets James Cagney and Zack Hansen. To wrap up the event, ranger Frederik Penn will sing popular standards from the African American songbook, accompanied by a jazz ensemble.
Admission to this event is free, however reservations are required. Please reserve your seat at http://tinyurl.com/SAFRMLK2
Although visitors of all ages are welcome, high school students and teachers are especially invited to attend this program on their day off from school. This is a chance to learn more about the African American history that isn’t necessarily taught in school. Join in the discussion and let us know what Dr. King’s life and work means to you, and how these stories from national parks resonate with your own personal experience. We invite visitors to bring their favorite quote by Dr. King to share.
Looking for a way to give back to your community on the Martin Luther King Day of Service Park partners will also host two separate opportunities for the public to volunteer on cleanup projects. The Aquarium of the Bay’s beach cleanup runs from 10 AM – 1 PM. Meet up at their table at the east end of Aquatic Park beach. Sign up ahead at https://MLK2018APcleanup.ev
The Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy will also host their first volunteer workday at historic Black Point from 9 AM -12 PM. Volunteers will help to restore scenic garden walks recently freed (by grazing goats!) from decades of overgrowth. Projects will include weeding, pruning, and shoveling dirt. Brief tour and talk included. Meet at 9 AM on the lawn across from the Sea Scout Base (3500 Van Ness Ave). Bring a personal water bottle and sunscreen, sturdy shoes and clothes that can get dirty. Tools and gloves are provided. Please register in advance at http://www.parksconservancy
San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park, located at the west end of Fisherman’s Wharf, includes a fleet of historic ships, Visitor Center, Maritime Museum, Maritime Research Center, and the Aquatic Park Historic District. For more information, please call 415-447-5000 or visit nps.gov/safr, Twitter @SFMaritimeNPS, and Facebook @SanFranciscoMaritimeNHP. San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park offers assisted listening services on request. Sign Language interpreter services need to be requested at least five days in advance. Contact Accessibility Coordinator/Chief of Interpretation for more information at 415-859-6797, or e-mail us.
Last updated: December 19, 2017