Exhibits
Given the wide public interest in the history of the San Francisco Bay Area, Archeo-Tec exhibits collections of artifacts whenever possible. Archeo-Tec has curated exhibits at such venues as the Asian Art Museum, the Pacific Heritage Museum, and the Oakland Art Museum. In addition to museum exhibits, artifacts are often showcased in the lobbies of buildings erected atop sites. Archeo-Tec is currently seeking facilities and funding for future Gold Rush Exhibitions, and welcomes inquiries from museums and interested parties.
Oakland Art Museum
"GOLD FEVER!"
An extensive Oakland Art Museum exhibit coinciding with the 1998 sesquicentennial of the Gold Rush, showcased artifacts from several different San Francisco Gold Rush sites: Chinese Fishing Village, 600 California, The International Hotel, 100 First Street, Hills Plaza, Levi's Plaza, and the Hoff Store. Artifacts included soda water bottles, medicine vials, ceramic cups, a jar full of olives, a bone toothbrush, iron shovels, Chinese brownware, and various toys. In 1999, GOLD FEVER traveled to the historic Sacramento Memorial Auditorium in Old Sacramento.
Asian Art Museum
"Urban Archaeology: A Gold Rush Site in San Francisco's Chinatown"
In December of 1989, Archeo-Tec organized an exhibit at the Asian Art Museum showcasing materials from the prolific 1851 Mercantile site at 600 California Street. This exhibit included bronze coins, glass beads, Chinese ceramics, and Chinese brownware. However, this exhibit was never launched due to the damage done to the Museum during the San Francisco Earthquake of 1989.
Pacific Heritage Museum
"The Opening Door: American Commercial and Cultural Exchange with China and Japan, 1840-1890"
In 1988, Archeo-Tec curated this exhibit, bringing in such artifacts as an ivory chess set from the Lowie Museum of Anthropology and a fan from the Peabody museum of Salem commemorating President Grant's 1879 visit to Japan. Other contributors include the Natural History Museum at the Smithsonian Institution, the Rare Oriental Book Company, and the U.S. Naval Academy Museum. Several artifacts from Archeo-Tec's own collection were also displayed.
Building Displays
Archeo-Tec also has permanent displays at various locations in San Francisco:
- 505 Montgomery - "Foundations of Commerce"
- Rincon Annex Post Office - Exhibits of artifacts from the 1986 excavation.
- 100 First Street - Display of items from an 1840s site.
- Bayside Village (A Chinese Fishing Village) - Exhibits at the Bayside Village Leasing Office.
- San Francisco Public Library - Exhibits from various San Francisco sites.