Save the Historic Heart of the Presidio of San Francisco
Important Update
The Presidio, the birthplace of the city of San Francisco, is a National Historic Landmark and one of the most significant historic sites in the American West.
July 2, 2009: Don Fisher Abandons Plan to Build Museum at the Historic Main Post
Statement of Richard Moe, president of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, regarding the decision to remove the museum site from Presidio's Main Post.
"Don Fisher's decision to abandon the Main Post site for his proposed contemporary art museum is the correct one. We have believed from the beginning that having the museum on the Presidio's grounds could be a great asset to the community but, despite recent efforts to mitigate the impact of the structure on the Main Parade, that specific location was always problematic, to say the least. The Main Parade is the most significant part not only of a National Historic Landmark but one of the most significant historic sites in America .To compromise its integrity would be tragic."
"As a former board member of the Presidio Trust, Don Fisher obviously knows the place well and has great affection for it. I sincerely hope he will consider alternative sites at the Presidio, such as Crissy Field as envisioned by the management plan, which can be a win-win situation for everyone. The National Trust has been an active and constructive partner of the Presidio Trust since its inception, and we will continue to be engaged in this spirit with the National Park Service and others to ensure that this incredible site is preserved for future generations while being appropriately adapted as a living, thriving community."
Read more on the PreservationNation blog: Change of Plans at the Presidio.
Background Information
The Presidio Trust proposed significant changes to the Main Post, the historic heart of the Presidio. Plans called for the demolition of eleven historic structures and the addition of 265,000 square feet of new construction at the Main Post, including a new lodge, museum and theater facilities.
The Presidio, the birthplace of the city of San Francisco, is a National Historic Landmark and one of the most significant historic sites in the American West. The National Trust for Historic Preservation strongly supports management and development proposals at the Presidio that respect and maintain the integrity and historic character of the Main Post.
The National Trust believes the Presidio Trust’s project proposal – which included a new lodge and museum, each approximately 100,000 square feet, or the size of a typical Wal-Mart – would have dramatically intruded on the historic character of the Main Post and threatened the Presidio’s status as a National Historic Landmark District. The proposed museum would have been built at the very head of the Main Parade and would have stood 53 feet tall along its primary façade.
The National Trust recognizes the unique quality and scope of the Fishers’ contemporary art collection. Unfortunately, the proposed museum site would have had a severe adverse effect on the historic Presidio.
Additional Information
- Download the National Trust's comments on Presidio's Main Post.
- If you need additional background information, you may contact the National Trust's Western Office at wro@nthp.org.
