Art and artifacts purchased with donated funds will be legally owned by Western Neighborhoods Project in the public trust, conserved by A.C.T. Art Conservation, and transported and stored according to museum best practices by Minnesota Street Project. But ultimately, these pieces belong to San Francisco. While pieces we acquire undergo conservation treatment, we will conduct community listening sessions to determine what San Francisco wants to do with them. It’s imperative that they remain accessible to the public; whether that be through long-term loans and rotating exhibitions overseen by WNP, or the legal transfer to another organization, that’s for San Franciscans to decide. In the meantime, these remnants of The Cliff House, Sutro Baths and Playland at the Beach will be safe with us.

 

This is not the first time Western Neighborhoods Project has been involved in a community effort to salvage local history endangered by sale. From 2002-2006, they saved several earthquake refugee cottages from demolition. After they produced an educational display during the 1906 earthquake and fire centennial, these cottages were transferred to other nonprofits. Today, you can still visit one of these Kirkham Shacks at the San Francisco Zoo and you can read more about their journey here: https://www.outsidelands.org/kirkham_shacks.php

 

In the unlikely event that we are unable to acquire any items from the auction or are unable to use all of the funds for the purpose of saving items from the auction, your tax-deductible donations will be used by Western Neighborhoods Project to preserve, interpret, and share the history of The Cliff House, Sutro Baths, and Playland at the Beach. This means the funds will be restricted to these three subjects and cannot be used to pay staff or facilities costs. Potential uses of your donation include the conservation of historic images made available on OpenSFHistory.org; the development of exhibitions at the WNP office in the Richmond District; the creation of public programs and educational resources for kids; and of course walking tours around the Cliff House, Sutro Baths, Playland at the Beach, and Sutro Heights. No matter the outcome, your money will be used to keep the memory of this area alive and relevant. 

 

You can show your support by making a donation of any dollar amount.

Your contribution is crucial at this time, as we have until auction (March 11-13th) to save as many artifacts and art as possible with the funds raised. 

DONATE ONLINE

Visit the donation link managed by WNP, Western Neighborhoods Project at:

https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=V54BB8V4WZQQS

DONATE by MAIL

Checks can be addressed to:

Western Neighborhoods Project

1617 Balboa Street, San Francisco, CA, 94121 

If you prefer to personally turn in a physical check, please contact the WNP for arrangements or if you have any further questions regarding donation options.

 

Spreading word and sharing updates about this effort makes magic happen. You can share about this effort over email or social media, encouraging your personal network to donate, or contacting us about a connection supporting the long- term security of these relics remaining in San Francisco for all San Franciscans.