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Golden Gate International Exposition: Memorabilia & History Talk | SF

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Tuesday, January 27, 2015 - 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm | Cost: $5*
*$5 for non-mebers; free for SFHA members

St. Philip’s Church | 725 Diamond Street, San Francisco, CA

Event Details

SF History Night | Pacific Heights

The San Francisco History Association hosts monthly talks which explore our city’s enchanting history in depth.

Each month, a local history expert hosts a themed talk usually accompanied by a slide show with light refreshments.

Tuesday, January 27, 2015
SF History Night | Pacific Heights

The Golden Gate International Exposition (GGIE) was held to celebrate the completion of the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge, dedicated on November 12, 1936; and the Golden Gate Bridge, dedicated on May 27, 1937.

Throughout the run of the fair, multi-colored searchlights were visible for 100 miles around. Approximately 1,200 gardeners worked in the wee morning hours to design flower beds that corresponded with the seasons. The magnificent garden courts were designed to showcase California’s balmy weather in contrast to that of New York, which was hosting a world’s fair at the same time.

As both fairs were partially financed by federal funds, no doubt New Yorkers felt slighted by President Roosevelt’s statement after he made a visit to the Treasure Island fair: “I think you people out here on the Pacific Coast, when you start to do something, do it better than anyone else in the United States.”

Kathryn Ayres, vice president of the San Francisco Bay Area Post Card Club, will show postcards and other rare ephemera to carry you back to the Magic City on Treasure Island in 1939 and 1940.

Doors open at 7 pm with refreshments and a S.F. historical book sale, while the presentation begins at 7:30 pm sharp.

There’s limited parking in schoolyard (entrance on Elizabeth St.), but additional parking is available on surrounding streets. Muni: 24-Divisadero and 48-Quintara stop at Castro and 24th streets; 35-Eureka stops at Diamond and 24th streets.

Disclaimer: Please double check event information with the event organizer as events can be canceled, details can change after they are added to our calendar, and errors do occur.


Cost: $5*
*$5 for non-mebers; free for SFHA members
Categories: History, History Comes Alive, Lectures & Workshops
Address: 725 Diamond Street, San Francisco, CA