History of Chileans in SF: Gold Rush, Poetry + Wine Tasting (Museum of SF)

SF Historical Society

About the Event

While other states slowly assimilated waves of immigrants in the 1800s, the Gold Rush produced a “Big Bang” of immigration from all over the world. A group of Chileans who embarked from Valparaiso were some of the first to arrive in San Francisco in 1849, driven by the discovery of gold. Chileans brought with them their lives, their ambitions, and, importantly, their mining expertise.

The presence and influence of Chileans inSan Francisco has been significant and ongoing. This presentation will focus on little-known events like the Chilean Wars in Northern California, which inspired the only play ever written by Chilean Nobel laureate Pablo Neruda; the connection between local icons Allen Ginsburg and Lawrence Ferlinghetti and the illustrious Chilean poet Fernando Alegría; the influx of Chilean exiles in the 1970s; and the works of local Chilean author Isabel Allende.

After the presentation, enjoy a taste of Chilean wines and traditional Chilean snacks.

About the Presenter

Marcia Campos was born in Santiago, Chile, and emigrated with her parents to the United States, graduating from high school in New York City. She studied psychology at the University of Chile and earned a Master’s degree in sociology from the Latin American Faculty of Social Sciences in Mexico. She was appointed Chair of the Alameda County Developmental Disabilities Council, becoming the first person of Latino origin to hold that position. She is currently a regular contributor to KPFA Radio and a member of various Bay Area social organizations focused on culture and education, with a particular emphasis on the history of Chilean migration during the Gold Rush.

Hosted at the Museum of San Francisco at 608 Commercial Street

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