Pacific Heritage Museum
The Pacific Heritage Museum occupies the space in the US Subtreasury Building that was itself built on the site of the US Branch Mint. Built in the 1800s, the building is recognized as a historical landmark by both the state of California and the city of San Francisco. The museum was founded by the Bank of Canton of California, which is now the Chinese American financial institution of East West Bank. In 1984 the building was restored in order to house the Pacific Heritage Museum.
The purpose of the Pacific Heritage Museum is to document the history of the Branch Mint and the Subtreasury building within the broader scope of the people of the geographic area known as the Pacific Rim. The museum celebrates the heritage and achievements of the people living along the Pacific Rim, which includes four continents across four hemispheres. The museum has a series of rotating exhibits planned in coordination with other museums across the US and the world, with the goal of educating and enlightening visitors. Past exhibitions have included, "The Art of Tea: China & Beyond" and "With Best Wishes: Symbolism and Hidden Meanings in Chinese Art." The Bay Area is home to many Asian communities that have lived and prospered in the United States. It is the museum’s goal to honor that cultural legacy and educate the public on its origins.
The museum is small but extends three floors. The first two floors focus on the history of the building and includes a replication of a bank vault as would have been used during the buildings operation as a part of the Treasury Department. The museum also has on exhibit a collection of rare, antique silver coins.
The Pacific Heritage Museum is located across from the Transamerica Building at 608 Commercial Street in San Francisco’s Financial District. The hours of operations are Tuesday through Saturday from 10 AM to 4 PM. The Museum is closed on Sundays and Mondays and all bank holidays. For more information, you can visit the San Francisco Station website at http://www.sfstation.com/pacific-heritage-museum-b347 or call the museum directly at 415-399-1124. The East West Bank website can be found at http://www.eastwestbank.com.