San Francisco Historical Society

At 608 Commercial Street, the San Francisco Historical Society’s small museum explores the city’s past through historical objects and changing displays. Exhibits have covered San Francisco theater and Irish dance, with theater memorabilia including wings from Angels in America. A limited-time display has also focused on poet Lawrence Ferlinghetti. The museum is a compact stop for city-history enthusiasts and curious visitors, especially on the way to Chinatown or North Beach. You can also look into docent-led museum tours and the Society’s walking tours for a closer look at local history.

Exhibits on San Francisco

The museum presents historical objects connected to San Francisco’s past. Its displays have included material on theater in the city and Irish dance. Theater memorabilia has included a set of wings from Angels in America.

Changing exhibits add another reason to check what is on view. A limited-time display has focused on poet Lawrence Ferlinghetti. The museum is small, so a visit can fit into a short downtown stop.

Tours beyond the galleries

Docent-led tours take place on Saturday afternoons and provide a more in-depth way to explore the museum. The San Francisco Historical Society also runs walking tours on different aspects of the city’s history. Unspeakable Vice covers the history of San Francisco’s queer neighborhood before the Castro.

The museum is at 608 Commercial Street, near routes toward Chinatown and North Beach. Its exhibits and tours make it a useful stop for visitors who want to focus on the city’s history.