Photo courtesy of El Tecolote Photographic Archive.

Join Heritage and the San Francisco Latino Historical Society for the second community gathering of the Nuestra Historia project, an effort document the Latino/a experience in San Francisco. At this special gathering, we will investigate the role of family in the greater Latino experience in San Francisco: What commonalities will arise and where will our experiences differ? To kick off our conversation, we’ll hear from special guest speakers, John Trasvina and Catherine Herrera, both members of long-time Latino families in San Francisco.

All are invited to share their own family histories:

Where is your family from?

When did you or your family come to San Francisco and why?

How did your family make a living?

Where did your family go to recreate & relax? Where was the pachanga? 

Finally, hear the latest updates on Nuestra Historia from the project team, and learn about how to get more involved with this community initiative. We need you to help document nuestras historias!

Nuestra Historia: Documenting the Chicana, Latino, and Indígena Contributions to the Development of San Francisco aims to build public awareness for the diverse and little-known history of Latinos in San Francisco, identify significant historic and cultural places for conservation, and offer recommendations for preserving this longstanding legacy. This community-based participatory project will result in a historic context statement document that will help city planners and elected officials make better-informed decisions regarding the protection and stewardship of cultural resources significant to San Francisco’s Latino community.

Nuestra Historia is a project of the San Francisco Latino Historical Society and San Francisco Heritage, made possible with funding from the City of San Francisco’s Historic Preservation Fund.

The event workshop will be held on Saturday, August 9 from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Mission Neighborhood Centers (362 Capp Street). To RSVP, email Marilyn Duran or visit our Facebook event page.

Photo courtesy of the Roxie.

Mark your calendars for the second installment of Heritage’s 2014 Lecture Series, “Reel San Francisco Stories: On-Location Movies and the Preservation Movement.”

On August 21, we’ll explore the surprising ways in which beloved San Francisco movies have helped define the city’s cultural identity. Through a broad spectrum of film genres, author Christopher Pollock will examine the unexpected role of on-location movies in recording and conserving historic places throughout the city, including American Graffiti, Vertigo, and Sister Act.

The lecture is co-sponsored by the Roxie Theater, San Francisco’s oldest continuously operating cinema. The Roxie is located at 3117 16th Street in the Mission District. Doors open at 5:30 p.m., and the lecture will begin at 6:00. Tickets are $10 for Heritage members and students (with ID) and $15 for the general public.

Many thanks to our 2014 Lecture Series sponsors: California Office of Historic Preservation, Cody Anderson Wasney, Martin Building Co., Plant Construction, San Francisco Waterfront Partners, and TEF.

Courtesy of Cha Cha Cha/Original McCarthy’s.

On Monday, June 2 at the Mission District’s Cha Cha Cha/Original McCarthy’s, Heritage proudly unveiled the final “official” round of inductees into our “Legacy Bars & Restaurants” initiative!

A first-of-its-kind interactive online guide, “Legacy Bars & Restaurants” debuted in January 2013 to honor and promote those establishments that reflect the history and culture of San Francisco. The announcement brought the total number of certified Legacy establishments to 100.

The newest honorees are: Bimbo’s 365 Club (1931); Bus Stop Bar (1900); Café Du Nord (1908); Casa Sanchez/Ayutla Restaurant (1924); Cha Cha Cha/Original McCarthy’s (1933); The Doctor’s Lounge (1951); Elbo Room (1935); The Fly Trap (1883); Gold Mirror Restaurant (1969); Ha-Ra Club (1947); Horseshoe Tavern (1934); Henry’s Hunan Restaurant (1974); Hi Dive (1916); La Rocca’s Corner (1930s); Le Central (1974); Mauna Loa (1939); Mr. Bing’s (1967); Northstar Café (1882); The Ramp (1950); Red’s Place (1960); Roosevelt Tamale Parlor (1919); Sabella & La Torre (1927); Silver Crest Donut Shop (1970); Tony Nik’s (1933); and Top of the Mark (1939).

In addition to recognizing the most recent inductees, Heritage proudly introduced a new printed pocket guide to all 100 “Legacy Bars & Restaurants”! Featuring vibrant photography, the foldout map will be available to the public for free at participating Legacy establishments.

The June 2 happy hour was co-presented by our friends at Heritage YP. Thank you to our hosts, Cha Cha Cha/Original McCarthy’s, for their warm hospitality and to Cyrus Noble for its generous support of “Legacy Bars & Restaurants”! For more information about the Legacy project, please click here or contact Laura Dominguez.

Read about Legacy and the worldwide movement to recognize places with social significance in the Guardian.