Cargo is King: SF Maritime National Historic Park Exhibit Call for Assistance

“Cargo is King” is the title of a new exhibit under construction at San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park. The exhibit aboard the ship Balclutha will consist of three films, interactive panels, and a walk-thru recreation of an entire deck load of cargoes destined to and from San Francisco. The content of the exhibit relates stories of the people who manufactured, transported, sold and used the goods that the ship carried. One notable such group were the many Chinese of San Francisco who themselves were transported to Alaska to can salmon in the canneries there. In addition the Chinese living quarters will be open, furnished and interpreted. The exhibit will not open until later this Fall but can be visited now while in the process of construction.

The Park’s exhibit team would welcome any related knowledge, photos, or assistance with their project. Assistance with furnishing the Chinese living quarters with food supplies, baskets, and other items is needed. If you have any stories, materials, or knowledge related to the Alaskan “fish-shop” voyages out of San Francisco or the “China gang” workers, please contact Richard Everett, Exhibits Curator at (415) 561-7111.

Visit SF Maritime National Historic Park online at www.nps.gov/safr.