About Western neighborhoods project
Western Neighborhoods Project: Preserving the History of San Francisco's Outside Lands
The Western Neighborhoods Project is a non-profit organization that is dedicated to preserving and sharing the history of San Francisco's Richmond, Sunset, OMI, and West of Twin Peaks districts. These areas were once referred to as the outside lands because they were located on the western edge of San Francisco and were considered remote and undeveloped.
The Western Neighborhoods Project was founded in 1999 by a group of local historians who recognized the need to document and preserve the unique history of these neighborhoods. Since then, the organization has grown into a thriving community resource that provides educational programs, walking tours, exhibits, and online resources for anyone interested in learning more about this fascinating area.
One of the primary goals of the Western Neighborhoods Project is to collect and preserve historical artifacts related to these neighborhoods. The organization has an extensive collection of photographs, maps, documents, oral histories, and other materials that provide insight into what life was like in these areas over time.
In addition to collecting historical materials, the Western Neighborhoods Project also works closely with local residents to document their personal stories and experiences living in these neighborhoods. This helps create a more complete picture of what life was like for people who called this area home over time.
Another important aspect of the work done by the Western Neighborhoods Project is education. The organization offers a variety of educational programs for people interested in learning more about San Francisco's outside lands. These include walking tours led by knowledgeable guides who can provide insights into local history as well as online resources such as podcasts and videos that explore different aspects of life in these neighborhoods.
The Western Neighborhoods Project also operates an online museum where visitors can explore exhibits related to different aspects of local history. These exhibits cover topics such as transportation (including cable cars), architecture (including Victorian homes), parks (such as Golden Gate Park), businesses (such as the Cliff House), and more.
One of the most popular programs offered by the Western Neighborhoods Project is the OpenSFHistory project. This is an online database that provides access to thousands of historical photographs and other materials related to San Francisco's outside lands. Visitors can search for specific locations or browse through collections organized by theme (such as streetcars or earthquakes).
The Western Neighborhoods Project also operates a research library that is open to the public. This library contains a wealth of information about local history, including books, periodicals, maps, and other materials.
Overall, the Western Neighborhoods Project plays an important role in preserving and sharing the history of San Francisco's outside lands. Through its collection and preservation efforts, educational programs, online resources, and community outreach initiatives, this organization helps ensure that future generations will be able to learn about this unique area of San Francisco's rich history.