Treasure Island Museum

Treasure Island Museum Our mission is to tell the story of Treasure Island and its unique role in the Bay Area. Please check our website for updates and a schedule of activities!

The original museum was located in the lobby of Building One on Treasure Island. It began as and officially remained a Navy/Marine Corps/Coast Guard museum, but over the years its collecting and exhibiting areas included the colorful span of Treasure Island's "life story," including the building of the island, the Bay Bridge, the China Clipper flying boats, Yerba Buena Island, and especially the G

olden Gate International Exposition, for which Treasure Island was built in 1937-1938. The museum was shut down when the Navy closed Naval Station Treasure Island in 1997. Thanks to the persistence of a group of volunteers, in all likelihood a new museum will emerge when Treasure Island redevelopment gets underway. In the meantime, TIMA has installed a free exhibit in the lobby of Building One which tells the story of Treasure Island. The Treasure Island Museum Association also hosts tours of the island and participates in programs around the Bay Area.

"After the Exposition - A Modern Airport"Treasure Island Museum CollectionThis concept art (illustrating a proposal that...
06/15/2026

"After the Exposition - A Modern Airport"
Treasure Island Museum Collection
This concept art (illustrating a proposal that was considered, but never realized) appeared in early promotional materials for the 1939 Golden Gate International Exposition.

Anticipating how popular the fair would be, lawyers for the Golden Gate International Exposition secured trademark prote...
06/11/2026

Anticipating how popular the fair would be, lawyers for the Golden Gate International Exposition secured trademark protection for several terms in advance, including "Treasure Island" and "Gayway" - the latter, the name given to an avenue of fairground attractions, is documented in this recent donation to our archives.

Please note: a huge event on Treasure Island (complicating transit and parking, as well as access to Building One and, i...
06/10/2026

Please note: a huge event on Treasure Island (complicating transit and parking, as well as access to Building One and, in turn, our galleries) is scheduled this Saturday, June 13.

In May of 1938, Friedolin Kessler embarked on a unique journey; the 24-year-old artist took a 1600 mile solo bicycle tri...
06/08/2026

In May of 1938, Friedolin Kessler embarked on a unique journey; the 24-year-old artist took a 1600 mile solo bicycle trip across California to document the status of its historic missions. His diary (recently donated to our collection) tracks his progress, experiences, and expenditures.

Pedaling between 30 and 90 miles a day (on a budget of less than one dollar per day), he visited all 21 missions over an 8 week period. Along the way, he took photographs and notes.

Kessler spent the following year carving 21 linoleum blocks (now part of the museum's collection, along with his carving tools) with which to print detailed images of every mission. His work was significant documentation of the dilapidated state of the California Missions in the 1930s. The entire series was exhibited at the Golden Gate International Exposition on Treasure Island in 1940, as well as at the Palace of the Legion of Honor in 1942.

Explore the Kessler collection online here: https://treasureislandmuseum.catalogaccess.com/search?search=Kessler&includedFields=Objects%2CPhotos%2CLibrary%2CArchives&page=1&size=10&withImages=false

Interested in touring our archives? Click here for details about an upcoming opportunity: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1991398964911?aff=oddtdtcreator

Please note: huge events on Treasure Island (complicating transit and parking, as well as access to Building One and, in...
06/05/2026

Please note: huge events on Treasure Island (complicating transit and parking, as well as access to Building One and, in turn, our galleries) are scheduled on June 6, June 7, and June 13.

June is here - and it is a great time to return to the island. One caveat: huge events (complicating transit and parking...
06/01/2026

June is here - and it is a great time to return to the island.

One caveat: huge events (complicating transit and parking, as well as access to Building One and, in turn, our galleries) are scheduled on these upcoming dates: June 6, June 7, and June 13.

If you are NOT a fan of large crowds, there are some dates you might want to avoid when planning to visit Treasure Islan...
05/26/2026

If you are NOT a fan of large crowds, there are some dates you might want to avoid when planning to visit Treasure Island and the museum.

The city is hosting large music events in front of Building One that will complicate transit, parking, access to the building - and, in turn, access to the museum - on these upcoming dates:

Saturday, June 6
Sunday, June 7
Saturday, June 13

Thank you in advance for your understanding.

"Honor to the soldier and sailor everywhere, who bravely bears his country's cause." ~ Abraham Lincoln
05/25/2026

"Honor to the soldier and sailor everywhere, who bravely bears his country's cause." ~ Abraham Lincoln

Address

39 Treasure Island Road
San Francisco, CA
94130

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 7pm
Tuesday 10am - 7pm
Wednesday 10am - 7pm
Thursday 10am - 7pm
Friday 10am - 7pm
Saturday 10am - 7pm
Sunday 10am - 7pm

Telephone

+14154138462

Website

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