Hyde Street Living History Players

NOTE: Although we have some scheduled special activities and events for the times noted below, we the Hyde Street Living History Players are on the pier all day from 11:30-4:00, and we want to bring you back in time to join us in our world, in our time–1901.  Unless otherwise indicated in the schedule below, our special events are held at noon and at 2:00.  Also:  Find us at instagram.com/sflivinghistory

New this year:  1901 Family Story Circle:  Every Living History Saturday (see below for dates) in the houseboat Ark at 3:00 p.m. for a quarter hour sharing of children’s stories that were popular in 1901.  Bring your young one and sit a spell–these stories are timeless.

Note:  Our schedule remains subject to change due to the California statewide Shelter In Place order, but we intend that our programs will continue as scheduled, unless noted on this page as cancelled.

March 14, 2020:  (Cancelled in response to statewide Shelter In Place order).  Suffragette march, in support of Women’s History Month. You are invited to join the living history reenactment of a suffragette march (12:00 and 2:00) in support of votes for women!  Contact:  carmonave@gmail.com

April 11, 2020: (Cancelled in response to statewide Shelter In Place order). Chautauqua at Hyde Street Pier. At noon, a special program of visiting luminaries sure to enlighten the hearts and minds of all who witness this amazing Chautauqua, including a dramatic reading of “The Sinking of the Rio de Janiero.”  Reprise at 2:00. Contact:  sfmaritime1901@gmail.com

May 9, 2020: (Cancelled in response to statewide Shelter In Place order).  Hyde Street honors President William McKinley during his visit to San Francisco in 1901, when he and his wife came here for the launch of the battleship “Ohio.”  Contact:  ehcarmona@gmail.com

June 13, 2020:  (Cancelled in response to statewide Shelter In Place order–We hope to be back on the pier for our scheduled Living History in July. Watch this site for updates.) Living History re-creates the 1901 Waterfront Strike that paralyzed San Francisco for five months. You can take part at noon in reliving this vital yet often overlooked part of west coast labor organization at noon, and again at 2:00.  Contact:  info@davidhirzel.com

July 11, 2020:  (Cancelled in response to statewide Shelter In Place order), “Make and Mend“: Sailors’ arts, sailmending and knifemaking, and everyday crafts as practiced in 1901.  Contact:  roger_nishimoto@yahoo.com.  Event subject to change pending updates from Park Service regarding public participation and social distancing.

August 8, 2020: (Cancelled in response to statewide Shelter In Place order) In honor of the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment finally giving women the right to vote, we will hold Suffragette march. You are invited to join the living history reenactment of a suffragette march (12:00 and 2:00) in support of votes for women!  Contact:  carmonave@gmail.com

August 15, 2020:  (Cancelled in response to statewide Shelter In Place order) Festival of the Sea, a full day of music on three stages along Hyde Street Pier.

August 26, 2020 (Cancelled in response to statewide Shelter In Place order) Wednesday (the actual date of the 100th anniversary) and Saturday August 29:  related Living History events commemmorating the momentous occasion of the passing of the 19th Amendment.   Contact: joturow@gmail.com

September 12, 2020:  (Cancelled in response to statewide Shelter In Place order) Picnic on the Beach, with the latest in 1901 Bathing Attire and outdoor games. Weather permitting, but we will be on the pier all day.  Contact: 1901onthebay@gmail.com

October 17 (third Saturday), 2020: (Cancelled in response to statewide Shelter In Place order) Ladies’ Seamen’s Friend Society: Seagoing libraries, sailor’s literacy program.  Contact:  info@davidhirzel.com

November 14, 2020: (Cancelled in response to statewide Shelter In Place order)Recognition of Hawaii’s changing status in the world when Queen Liluokalani visits San Francisco on her return from the U.S. capitol in November 1901.  The City’s role in transoceanic Pacific trade comes to the fore.  Contact:  1901onthebay@gmail.com

December 12, 2020:   (Cancelled in response to statewide Shelter In Place order–We hope to be back on the pier for our scheduled Living History in 2020. Watch this site for updates.)“Christmas on the Ark” with the Living History Players.

Our typical daily schedule goes something like this:

• 10:00-10:30—For those who will need costuming, meet on Eureka, per prior arrangement with costuming department.
• 11:00-11:30—Orientation meeting on upper level of Eureka, to discuss events of the day
• 12:00-1:00—The first of the day’s two “scenes,” a dramatic event moving up and down the pier. The public is invited to interact with the Living History Players.
• 1:00-2:00—Lunch for the Living History Players, often on board the Ark. The public is invited to converse with us during our repast.
• 2:00-3:00—The second of the day’s two “scenes,” a dramatic event moving up and down the pier. The public is invited to interact with the Living History Players.
• 3:00-3:15:  1901 Family Story Circle on the Ark
• 3:15-4:00—Regularly scheduled programs “Ladies’ Salon” on board the Ark, and “Dogwatch” sea music on board Balclutha, after which we close up shop and depart until next month.