Historic Presidio Officer's Club to Reopen to the Public
San Francisco's most historic building to become great cultural destination
Presidio of San Francisco (July 29, 2014) – The Presidio Officers’ Club, first established in 1776 by Spanish explorers and an elite gathering place for Army brass throughout the 20th century, will take its place as the Bay Area’s next great cultural destination with exciting public opening festivities on Saturday and Sunday, October 4 and 5.
The first weekend of celebration caps a revitalization project led by the Presidio Trust that transformed San Francisco’s most historic structure into a multi-faceted cultural destination. The free events will invite the public to get a taste of all the club will offer during its robust opening season and beyond, from live music and dance spanning across cultures, to multi-media exhibits that explore American history from a West Coast perspective, to creative children’s activities. The club’s new signature restaurant, Arguello, a partnership between the Presidio Trust and award-winning chef Traci Des Jardins, will offer a special tasting dinner by reservation on the evening of Sunday, October 5. Details about the Opening Festivities will be updated frequently.
The Officers’ Club is located where Spanish colonists first established their military presence at the Golden Gate, setting in motion events that would later lead to the creation of the City of San Francisco. The military garrison would eventually become the most significant U.S. Army post on the West Coast. The Officers’ Club was constructed simultaneously with Mission Dolores just a short distance away. The building and surrounding archaeology sites are among the most significant historic sites in the United States and are at the heart of the Presidio’s National Historic Landmark status. Today, the Presidio is America’s most unique national park site and welcomes more than five million visitors each year. The park, and the Officers’ Club, are operated by the Presidio Trust.
“The Officers’ Club was a beloved social destination for the Army as well as for San Franciscans for decades,” said Craig Middleton, Presidio Trust Executive Director. “By expanding the purpose of this revered place, we will welcome our entire community – visitors from across the region and around the nation. This is a flagship offering and a critical part of our mission to offer the public meaningful experiences in this beautiful park setting. It’s one of several new initiatives we will roll out for the community in the next few years.”
The updated Presidio Officers’ Club will serve as a dynamic cultural center that reflects the diversity of the Bay Area and will offer exhibits and programs that help visitorsestablish a deep understanding of the Presidio’s vital role in shaping California and serving the nation.Visitors will enjoy exceptional events including live music and dance, dialogues with notable authors and thinkers, theater, films, and family programs – all happening weekly from Thursdays through Sunday.
New classrooms will allow Presidio Trust educators to offer immersive programming for elementary, middle, and high school students tied to the California common core curriculum. A state-of-the-art archaeology lab will support ongoing research and enable the community to observe archaeologists at work through live digs.
The Officers’ Club exhibitions, events, and educational programs will be free, sponsored by the Presidio Trust.
The Officers’ Club is expected to be a lively gathering place for food and social functions. The destination restaurant, Arguello, will feature Mexican cuisine capturing the cultural heritage of the Presidio while offering modern touches and a contemporary bar with craft cocktails. A heated patio will provide a comfortable new way to enjoy outdoor dining in the Presidio and will feature accents that connect today’s experiences to the historic Presidio.A new ballroom event space with views toward San Francisco Bay will be available for celebrations and business gatherings.
The Officers’ Club is will become amust-see stop for every San Francisco visitor and a beloved place for locals to return again and again.
The Presidio Officers’ Club is located in the Presidio of San Francisco at 50 Moraga Avenue (at Arguello Boulevard) on the Main Post. The Officers’ Club formally opens on October 4 and 5. The Officers’ Club will thereafter be open to visitors every day except Monday.
About the Presidio Trust
The Presidio Trust, a federal agency, is an innovation in the management of a treasured American place. The Trust was created to save the Presidio and transform it for a new national purpose. The Trust’s vision is that the Presidio will be forever a public place: vital to the Bay Area, important to all Americans, and recognized for achieving broad benefits for the nation. Today, the Presidio welcomes visitors, is home to a vibrant community of residents and tenants, and inspires greater good through programs that draw on its history and natural resources. The Presidio Trust serves the public with events, lodging, venues, and recreational opportunities. To learn more, visit www.presidio.gov.