ALCATRAZ LIVING HISTORY DAY

If you attended the Living History Days in previous years, there have been some additions, deletions and changes, so please review this document carefully.

The National Park Service and Friends of Civil War Alcatraz are delighted to be hosting the Civil War Living History Day on Alcatraz Island.

INFORMATION FOR VISITORS:
Activities on the island begin with the arrival of the first boat on the island and continue throughout the day until 4 pm. All activities are free and are designed to give the visitor a sense of what life was like on Alcatraz when it was an important seacoast defensive fort during the American Civil War. These activities include:
1) Periodic tours of Fort Alcatraz, showing the remnants of the fort, its history and its role in California’s contribution to the Union cause;
2) Military drills, as would have been done by Union troops on the island;
3) Union recruitment - find out what the requirements were to enlist in the Union Army
4) Women’s roles - see how women applied their skills in sewing, weaving, medicine, laundry and cooking to support the Union troops

INFORMATION FOR PARTICIPANTS:
We will have coffee, doughnuts, etc. on the island in the morning and LUNCH WILL BE PROVIDED. We will be using the break room outside the staff offices inside Building 64 (formerly the movie theater).Lunches will be distributed in the staff lunch room starting at 11:30.

The purpose of the Alcatraz Living History Day is to enhance the experience of visitors to the National Park. It is hoped that the living history program will augment the visitor’s understanding and awareness of the many layers of history present on the island. The story of the Post on Alcatraces Island, as it was officially known, is largely untold. As a participant in the Living History Day, you will be tasked with the telling of this story from a very human perspective. The National Park Service is commemorating the sesquicentennial of the American Civil War. In keeping with these programs, we are beginning to gear up living history on the island. Military impressions must be that of a unit stationed on the island during the War Between the States. Other impressions must be connected to the island. See IMPRESSIONS AND SCENARIOS under “Events” on this web site for more information.

Expect to interact with 4,000 visitors. Let people know about your uniform, your equipment, your rifle, and what it is like to be stationed at Alcatraz (monotonous, isolated, and cold).

Break Room: We will be using the staff break room inside Building 64 - the large building at the dock. Ask any staff member for the code to go inside. Ladies may take advantage of the staff toilet near the break room.

Parking: Parking is limited at Pier 31, next to the Alcatraz boat dock at Pier 33. Priority is given to the band and to those with loads to bring onto the island. Overflow parking is available at Fort Mason, in the lower lot. (See map) Someone will be at Ft. Mason to pass out parking permits, starting at 7:15 am.; a shuttle will take you from there to Pier 33 at 7:30 am. When you register with the co-ordinator, you will be directed where to park.

The ferry to the island leaves promptly at 8:20. If you have a load to bring, please bring it on your own cart.

All weapons must be covered and must not be openly visible or brandished. No powder or caps are allowed, even for demonstration.

Weather on Alcatraz can be relatively warm and sunny, cold and windy, overcast or foggy. All of the above in a single day is common. Layers work best. Bring authentic or concealable modern long underwear. A greatcoat and gloves are also recommended. If you have a rain proof (poncho), bring it along as well. A canteen is also a very good idea, because the location of your presentation might be 150 yards or more from a water source. It’s one of those, “If you don’t bring it, you’ll likely need it” things. RAIN: Rain is always a possibility. In the event of rain, the Theater located inside the Civil War era Bombproof Barracks, will be made available for two or three presentations to take place. We developed several other rain sites earlier this year as well, but ultimately, IF we receive some showers, it will require some punting on the part of participants.

Friends and Family not participating in the living history day must obtain a ticket from Alcatraz Cruises (see WEBSITES on page 4, below). Tickets should be purchased well in advance.

PARKING AT FT. MASON Participants who plan to utilize the NPS Shuttle may park in the lower (“Bldg. 101”) parking lot. Shuttle pick-up will be in front of Park Headquarters (Bldg. 201). Rangers or FOCWA volunteers will be in front of the GGNRA Building to issue Parking Passes. PARKING PASSES ARE A MUST. A parking citation will cost you $75.00.

PARKING NEAR THE ALCATRAZ CRUISES DOCK: 1) Parking in the vicinity of the Alcatraz Cruises Dock costs on the average 20 dollars for the day); 2) DO NOT utilize a parking space with a parking meter. They have limited hours; 3) All day parking can be found at 55 Francisco Garage for $20 (https://www.parkme.com/lot/84305/55-francisco-street-parking-garage-san-francisco-ca) 4) If you have a bunch of stuff to unload and transport to the island, contact one of the event coordinators, Steve Johnson 650-355-7173 or Gary Hormel 925-918-2959.

The RED DOTS on the Map, above, indicate the location for parking lots and garages near the Alcatraz Cruises Dock.

Directions to the Alcatraz Cruises Dock (Hornblower, Pier 33) Driving from the South To reach Hornblower Alcatraz Landing from the south, take Highway 101 North and follow the signs towards the Bay Bridge. Take the 4th Street exit, then turn left onto Bryant Street. Follow Bryant St. to The Embarcadero. Turn left onto The Embarcadero and continue north approximately 1.7 miles to the Hornblower Alcatraz Landing at Pier 33.

Driving from the North To reach Hornblower Alcatraz Landing from the north, take Highway 101 South across the Golden Gate Bridge. Take the Marina exit onto Marina Blvd. Follow Marina Blvd. to Bay Street. Turn left onto Bay Street and stay on Bay all the way to The Embarcadero. Turn right onto Embarcadero, stay in the left lane and make a U-turn at the light.

Driving from the East To reach Hornblower Alcatraz Landing from the east, cross the Bay Bridge into San Francisco. Take the Fremont Street exit, and turn left onto Fremont. Follow Fremont St. to Howard, and then turn right on Howard Street. Follow Howard to The Embarcadero. Turn left onto the Embarcadero and continue north approximately 1.7 miles to the Hornblower Alcatraz Landing at Pier 33.

Alcatraz Living History Day will conclude at 4:00 pm. We will depart Alcatraz on the 4:15 pm boat. If you don’t require transportation back to Ft. Mason, you may take an earlier boat.

Maritime Law now requires that everyone boarding the ferry present a valid I.D. (California Drivers License, etc.)

You will be asked to officially sign on as National Park Service Volunteers. No commitment other than this day on the island is implied. As a NPS Volunteer, there is no charge for transport to or from Alcatraz Island.

National Park Service, Alcatraz: 415-561-4900 (after 9:00 am)
Alcatraz Cruises: 415-981-7625

National Park Service, Alcatraz: www.nps.gov/alcatraz Fortress Alcatraz: www.fortressalcatraz.com

This is John Martini’s web site. John is the historical consultant for Friends of Civil War Alcatraz. He was the National Park Service Historian for the island for many years and has written two books on the military history of the island.

Good histories about the units stationed on Alcatraz as well as some information on the island itself. Alcatraz Cruises (Hornblower Ferry): http://www.alcatrazcruises.com

We have made registration easier. Contact Steve Johnson, Co-chairman, FOCWA at sfwalkingtours@gmail.com or Gary Hormel at bmcuscg1@comcast.net to confirm that you will be participating. Please give us your contact phone number and an emergency contact person and their phone number.