Library Friends Events


Gold Rush Port--the Maritime Archeology of San Francisco

Saturday, March 28, 2009, 6:00 p.m.
In the Library

Drawing on excavations  in buried ships and collapsed buildings from the Gold Rush Period, maritime archaeologist James Delgado  re-creates San Francisco's unique maritime landscape, shedding new light on the city's remarkable rise from a small village to a boomtown of thousands in the three short years from 1848 to 1851. Copies of his new book, Gold Rush Port--the Maritime Archeology of San Francisco, will be available for sale.

The Sixth Karl Kortum Award for Maritime History will also be presented at this time by John Kortum, Esq.

The Award of $1000 is presented every other year for the best research in selected fields of maritime history. For more information and guidance, please see Submission Guidelines. Submissions are accepted at any time, and will be considered in the succeeding September 12 deadline period for each award cycle.

Donation: $5.00 (general), $4.00 (members of Friends of the San Francisco Maritime Museum Library and the San Francisco Maritime National Park Association)

For reservations, please call 415-561-7040, or contact the Friends at melani_van_petten@partner.nps.gov.

Taking the Sea

Sunday, April 5, 2009, 5:00 p.m.
In the Library

Maritime author and historian Dennis Powers will discuss his new book, Taking the Sea, which tells of the maritime business of wrecking, or ship salvaging, and the operations of Captain Thomas P.H. Whitelaw, an emmigrant Scot who, beginning as a hard-hat diver in San Francisco in the late 1860's, founded a marine-salvage empire covering the California and Pacific Northwest coasts. Copies of the book will be available for sale and signing.

Donation: $5.00 (general), $4.00 (members of Friends of the San Francisco Maritime Museum Library and the San Francisco Maritime National Park Association)

For reservations, please call 415-561-7040, or contact the Friends at melani_van_petten@partner.nps.gov.

Surviving Cape Horners

Sunday, May 3, 2009, 5:00 p.m.
In the Library


At one point in time, square-rigged Cape Horners were so numerous that sometimes they practically became the waterfront of cities like San Francisco. To see one today is a rare jewel. Join Park Historian Ted Miles to learn about a group of ships that seem to have had a human-like will to survive.

Donation: $5.00 (general), $4.00 (members of Friends of the San Francisco Maritime Museum Library and the San Francisco Maritime National Park Association)

For reservations, please call 415-561-7040, or contact the Friends at melani_van_petten@partner.nps.gov.