Presidio to Mark 242nd Anniversary of Founding, June 29-30

​​​​​​​​​​Presidio of San Francisco (June 4, 2018) – The Presidio Trust together with the National Park Service, invites the public to a two-day commemoration of the Presidio’s founding as a Spanish Army post, Pasados del Presidio, June 29-30. The free event honors the heritage of early Californian cultures—Native American, Spanish and Mexican—and the founding of El Presidio de San Francisco in 1776.

Prior to the arrival of Spanish colonists, indigenous tribes of Ohlone people called the Presidio home, with archeological evidence for native villages dating back to 740 A.D. In 1776 the Juan Bautista de Anza Expedition from Sonora and Sinaloa (in modern Mexico) arrived with 191 colonists under the Spanish crown, many of whom were children, and established El Presidio de San Francisco and Mission Dolores. In 1835, the descendants of these and other colonists established the Mexican pueblo of Yerba Buena, which gave rise to a new American city called San Francisco.

Afternoon Fun for Kids on Friday, June 29 (noon to 3 pm), commemorates pre-American Presidio through hands-on learning through crafts, activities, exhibits and live performances. The afternoon kicks off with Ohlone basket weaver, Linda Yamane’s welcome song and continues with performances by Ballet Folklórico Mexicano​ and Zazpiak Bat Basque Dancers. Activities include grinding corn with a metate, yarn-spinning, examining Ohlone artifacts, coyote mask-making, spending time with farm animals, observing the live archaeology excavation of El Presidio and more.

At 7:00 pm at the Officers’ Club, the lights will dim for evening of fun for the grownups with the Pasados del Presidio Dance Party, a lively celebration of Mexican-American musical heritage with the award winning Dr. Loco’s Rockin’ Jalapen᷉o Band. Yismari Ramos Tellez and CaliDance will teach traditional dance moves, with cocktails available for purchase from Arguello Restaurant (cash bar).

At San Francisco’s “Birthday”, a public ceremony on Saturday, June 30th (10:30 am – noon), descendants of the original founding families of the Juan Bautista de Anza Expedition, called Los Californianos, return to the Presidio on horse-back to commemorate the journey of their ancestors. The program includes formal remarks and a roll call of the men, women and children who made the 1200+ mile trek from New Spain (modern Mexico) to the Golden Gate. Guided history tours start at 1:00 pm and 3:00 pm from the Welcome Desk at the Presidio Officers’ Club.

All are invited to attend these free events to learn more about the rich cultural origins of the Presidio and early California.

Attn: Calendar Editors (photos available upon request)

Pasados del Presidio: Afternoon Fun for Kids
Date: Friday, June 29
Time: Noon to 3:00 pm
Place: Presidio Officers’ Club, 50 Moraga Avenue, San Francisco
Phone: 415-561-4323
Price: Free
KIDS! Join us to see Early California history come to life. Enjoy hands-on activities, a tortilla-making demonstration, and more. Music and dance is offered by Ballet Folklórico Mexicano and Zazpiak Bat Basque Dancers. Presented in partnership with the National Park Service – celebrating 50 years of our National Scenic and Historic Trails.
Link: https://www.presidio.gov/events/pasados-del-presidio-afternoon-fun-for-kids

Pasados del Presidio: Dance Party
Date: Friday, June 29
Time: 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm (doors open at 6:15 pm, Dance Lesson at 6:30 pm)
Place: Presidio Officers’ Club, 50 Moraga Avenue, San Francisco
Phone: 415-561-4323
Price: Free
Dance and celebrate the diverse origins of Mexican-American musical heritage with the award winning Dr. Loco’s Rockin’ Jalapen᷉o Band. Learn traditional dance moves from dancers Yismari Ramos Tellez and CaliDance, and enjoy cocktails for purchase from Arguello Restaurant (cash bar).
Link: https://www.presidio.gov/events/pasados-del-presidio-dance-party

Pasados del Presidio: San Francisco’s “Birthday”
Date: Saturday, June 30
Time: 10:30 am to Noon
Place: Pershing Square, across from the Presidio Officers’ Club, 50 Moraga Avenue, San Francisco
Phone: 415-561-4323
Price: Free
Descendants of the original founding families of the Juan Bautista de Anza Expedition (1775-76) return to the Presidio to commemorate the journey of their ancestors and the founding of El Presidio de San Francisco. The program includes formal remarks, a procession by the Amigos de Anza horse mounted riders, and a roll call of the people who made the 1200+ mile trek from Sonora and Sinaloa (in modern Mexico).
Link: https://www.presidio.gov/events/pasados-del-presidio-san-franciscos-birthday

Pasados del Presidio: Guided History Tours
Date: Saturday, June 30
Time: Start at 1:00 pm, and 3:00 pm
Place: Meet at the Welcome Desk in the Presidio Officers’ Club
Phone: 415-561-4323
Price: Free
Our 60-minute guided tours will surprise you with behind-the-scenes Presidio stories and artifacts focusing on the cultures of early California. Hear about Juan Bautista Anza, the man who founded the Presidio, and the indigenous Ohlone people his expedition encountered when they arrived. Learn about the people and animals who traveled with the Anza expedition, view the adobe walls of the Spanish fort, see Spanish cannons, and watch archaeologists uncover the foundations of the Spanish colonial settlement that was El Presidio de San Francisco.
Link: https://www.presidio.gov/events/pasados-del-presidio-special-guided-tours

Creative Family Fun: Terrific Tile Painting
Date: Saturday, June 30
Time: 11:00 am to 3:00 pm
Place: Presidio Officers Club, 50 Moraga Ave, San Francisco
Phone: 415-561-4323
Price: Free
If you lived in El Presidio after the Spanish arrived in 1776, you might have eaten your meals on Majolica bowls and plates. Draw inspiration from these beautiful ceramics and design your own Terrific Tile!
Link: https://www.presidio.gov/events/pasados-del-presidio-creative-family-fun-terrific-tile-painting

About the Presidio and the Presidio Trust

The Presidio Trust is a federal agency that manages the Presidio of San Francisco, a national park at the heart of the 82,000-acre Golden Gate National Recreation Area. In partnership with the National Park Service and the non-profit Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy, the Presidio Trust brings alive the park’s historic, natural, and recreational assets for the inspiration, education, health, and enjoyment of all people at no cost to taxpayers. Spanning nearly 1,500 acres in a spectacular setting at the Golden Gate, the Presidio is defined by its history, spectacular views, natural habitats, and beautiful opens spaces. It is home to 3,000 residents and 200 tenant organizations, many of which welcome and serve the public. The Presidio Trust is focused on welcoming all to the national park experience, protecting and enhancing the environment, and operating in service to the public. Learn more at www.presidio.gov.