Museum

Chinese Historical Society of America Museum

📍 965 Clay Street, San Francisco, CA 94108, USA

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4/ 5.0

★★★★☆

Quick Facts

Location: USA, San Francisco
Category: Museum
Duration: allow 1-2 hours
Opening Hours: Monday Closed · Tuesday Closed · Wednesday 10:00-17:00 · Thursday Closed · Friday Closed · Saturday 10:00-17:00 · Sunday Closed · The museum's own Visit page and Visitor FAQs (checked 4 November 2026) state that it opens only on Wednesdays and Saturdays, 10:00-17:00, and is closed Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday. School and group visits, accessibility information and an online ticket link are offered alongside those two days. The previous record had Tuesday to Saturday 11:00-17:00, which does not match the site, and has been corrected.
Ticket Price: Adult: Free · General admission can be booked in advance through the online ticketing system linked from the site, or bought at the front desk on the day on a first-come basis. The visitor FAQs also cover student discounts, discounts for senior citizens, military veterans and teachers, physical and replacement membership cards, reciprocal admission through the NARM and ROAM programmes, and whether the museum is free with an EBT card; the amounts themselves appear on the ticket pages by date.
Address: 965 Clay Street, San Francisco, CA 94108, USA
Coordinates: 37.7950, -122.4060

Introduction

The Chinese Historical Society of America (CHSA) Museum sits at 965 Clay Street in the heart of San Francisco's Chinatown, housed in a 1911 building that is the only structure in Chinatown designed by the celebrated architect Julia Morgan, originally built for the YWCA. The museum belongs to CHSA, founded in 1963, one of the earliest US cultural organizations devoted to preserving and interpreting Chinese American history. Permanent galleries explore immigration, the Chinese laborers who built the transcontinental railroad, everyday life in Chinatown and the era of Chinese exclusion in America.

✨ Highlights

A 1911 building by Julia Morgan, the only one of her designs in Chinatown

At Chinese Historical Society of America Museum, A 1911 building by Julia Morgan, the only one of her designs in Chinatown is one of the most representative experiences of this destination.

Exhibits on Chinese laborers and the transcontinental railroad

At Chinese Historical Society of America Museum, Exhibits on Chinese laborers and the transcontinental railroad is one of the most representative experiences of this destination.

A museum in the original heart of San Francisco Chinatown

At Chinese Historical Society of America Museum, A museum in the original heart of San Francisco Chinatown is one of the most representative experiences of this destination.

Archives and collections of America's early Chinese historical society (founded 1963)

At Chinese Historical Society of America Museum, Archives and collections of America's early Chinese historical society (founded 1963) is one of the most representative experiences of this destination.

🛈 Practical Info

→Best time to visit：Avoid the midday heat; mornings or late afternoons are more comfortable and better for photos.

→Transport：Arrange via local public transport, driving or a chartered transfer; check latest local transport info.

→Climate & clothing：Prepare for the local climate with sun protection, water and suitable footwear; some outdoor spots can be sunny.

→On-site notes：Follow on-site signs and rules, protect the heritage/environment, and do not climb or touch exhibits.

→Accessibility：Some areas have natural or uneven ground and may be physically demanding.

→Transportation：965 Clay Street, San Francisco, CA 94108, in the North Block of Chinatown; the site lists telephone 415.391.1188 extension 109 and email [email protected], with a directions page

Opening Hours

Opening Hours
Monday	Closed
Tuesday	Closed
Wednesday	10:00-17:00
Thursday	Closed
Friday	Closed
Saturday	10:00-17:00
Sunday	Closed

The museum's own Visit page and Visitor FAQs (checked 4 November 2026) state that it opens only on Wednesdays and Saturdays, 10:00-17:00, and is closed Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday. School and group visits, accessibility information and an online ticket link are offered alongside those two days. The previous record had Tuesday to Saturday 11:00-17:00, which does not match the site, and has been corrected.

Ticket Information

Ticket Information
Adult	Free

General admission can be booked in advance through the online ticketing system linked from the site, or bought at the front desk on the day on a first-come basis. The visitor FAQs also cover student discounts, discounts for senior citizens, military veterans and teachers, physical and replacement membership cards, reciprocal admission through the NARM and ROAM programmes, and whether the museum is free with an EBT card; the amounts themselves appear on the ticket pages by date.

💡 Tips

• The museum opens only on Wednesdays and Saturdays, 10:00-17:00, so a Chinatown itinerary has to fall on one of those two days.

• Tickets can be reserved online for a chosen date or bought at the front desk on a first-come basis.

• The FAQs list student discounts, discounts for seniors, military veterans and teachers, and reciprocal entry through NARM and ROAM memberships, plus a note on free entry with an EBT card.

• Schools and groups can book separately through the School and Group Visits and Field Trip FAQs pages.

• The address is 965 Clay Street, San Francisco, CA 94108, with email [email protected] and telephone 415.391.1188 extension 109.

FAQ

What are the opening hours of Chinese Historical Society of America Museum?

Monday: Closed; Tuesday: Closed; Wednesday: 10:00-17:00; Thursday: Closed; Friday: Closed; Saturday: 10:00-17:00; Sunday: Closed; The museum's own Visit page and Visitor FAQs (checked 4 November 2026) state that it opens only on Wednesdays and Saturdays, 10:00-17:00, and is closed Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday. School and group visits, accessibility information and an online ticket link are offered alongside those two days. The previous record had Tuesday to Saturday 11:00-17:00, which does not match the site, and has been corrected.

How much is the admission for Chinese Historical Society of America Museum?

Adult: Free; General admission can be booked in advance through the online ticketing system linked from the site, or bought at the front desk on the day on a first-come basis. The visitor FAQs also cover student discounts, discounts for senior citizens, military veterans and teachers, physical and replacement membership cards, reciprocal admission through the NARM and ROAM programmes, and whether the museum is free with an EBT card; the amounts themselves appear on the ticket pages by date.

Any practical tips for visiting Chinese Historical Society of America Museum?

The museum opens only on Wednesdays and Saturdays, 10:00-17:00, so a Chinatown itinerary has to fall on one of those two days. Tickets can be reserved online for a chosen date or bought at the front desk on a first-come basis.