Visit the digital archives showcasing the Filipino community in San Francisco, where stories of migration, activism, and cultural preservation are preserved through photographs, newspapers, and personal narratives.
The main repository for Filipino history in San Francisco is the Filipino American Center (FAC) located at the San Francisco Public Library Main Branch, which houses extensive literature, history, and archival materials. Key local resources also include the SOMA Pilipinas Cultural Heritage District, the Welga Digital Archive, and the SF Heritage Filipino heritage collection.
Top San Francisco Filipino Archives & Research Centers
- Filipino American Center – SF Public Library (Main Library, 3rd Floor): Located at 100 Larkin Street, this center provides specialized materials in English and Filipino, including literature, historical documents, and the Excelsior Branch Filipiniana Collection.
- SOMA Pilipinas Cultural Heritage District: Focuses on preserving 120+ years of Filipino history in the South of Market area, including projects on the International Hotel and community oral histories.
- Welga Digital Archive (Bulosan Center): Documents the Filipino American Experience, with a focus on labor movements and oral histories.
- San Francisco Heritage: Features community-driven archives, including oral histories of Filipino residents in the Excelsior and South Park areas.
Top San Francisco Filipino Archives & Research Centers
- Filipino American Center – SF Public Library (Main Library, 3rd Floor): Located at 100 Larkin Street, this center provides specialized materials in English and Filipino, including literature, historical documents, and the Excelsior Branch Filipiniana Collection.
- SOMA Pilipinas Cultural Heritage District: Focuses on preserving 120+ years of Filipino history in the South of Market area, including projects on the International Hotel and community oral histories.
- Welga Digital Archive (Bulosan Center): Documents the Filipino American Experience, with a focus on labor movements and oral histories.
- San Francisco Heritage: Features archives related to Filipino life in the Excelsior and South of Market areas
Key Resources Nearby:
- UC Davis Library: Holds the Steffi San Buenaventura Papers.
- University of Washington Libraries: Houses the personal papers and photos of Carlos Bulosan.
- CSUDH Filipino American Digital Archive (FADA): A major digital repository for California Filipino history.
Key Focus Areas
- SOMA Filipino History: Documentation of the community in the South of Market neighborhood.
- Labor & Resistance: Archives related to the “Welga” (strike) movement and the International Hotel fight.
- Oral Histories: Records focusing on the lived experiences of Filipino immigrants and families.
Key Locations:
- Filipino American Center (SFPL): 100 Larkin Street, San Francisco, CA 94102.
- SOMA Pilipinas/SFFCC: 814 Mission Street, San Francisco, CA 94103.
Sources:
SFPL: Filipino American Center
American Pinoy 
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