Rosie the Riveter / WWII Home Front – National Historical Park in California
May 4th, 2005 by Susan Hilliard
Information courtesy of National Park Service
The World War II Home Front is a significant chapter in America’s history. Fully engaged in winning World War II, American women, minorities, and men worked toward a common goal in a manner that has been unequaled since. Women affectionately known as “Rosies” helped change industry and had sweeping and lasting impacts. Richmond, California played a significant and nationally recognized part in the World War II Home Front. The four Richmond shipyards, with their combined 27 shipways, produced 747 ships, more than any other shipyard complex in the country. Richmond was home to 56 different war industries, more than any other city of its size in the United States. The city grew nearly overnight from 24,000 people to 100,000 people, overwhelming the available housing stock, roads, schools, businesses and community services. Area Map
The park is currently putting together its General Management Plan. Go the “news” section to see how you can contribute to the vision of this park through our latest park newsletter.
ACTIVITIES
Parks and Public Spaces Currently Open the Public •Rosie the Riveter Memorial •Sheridan Observation Point •S.S. Red Oak Victory •Liberty Ship Memorial at Vincent Park •Shimada Friendship Park •Sites are connected by the Bay Trail
The Richmond Museum of History will continue to preserve important artifacts such as the S.S. Red Oak Victory, and make them available for public education and enjoyment.
ORAL HISTORIES
One of the first priorities is to record the experiences and stories of the people who lived and worked in Richmond during World War II.
COMING SOON
The Rosie the Riveter / World War II Home Front National Historical Park began to take shape in January, 2001.
Visitor and Education Center – The renovation and development of a visitor and education center is planned as part of mixed-use Ford Assembly Building. Planning and design of this center will be a high priority.
General Management Plan – The National Park Service will soon begin work on a General Management Plan. This plan will spell out in greater detail a management approach for protecting park resources, educational and interpretive opportunities, and visitor services that will be offered.
ACCESSIBILITY
The Rosie the Riveter Memorial and the city parks within the National Park Boundries are fully accessible.
To arrange access for special population visits to the SS Red Oak Victory, call ahead at (510)237-2933.
The rest of the sites are not yet open to the public.
WEATHER AND CLIMATE
Climate can vary from mild and warm to windy and chilly at any time of the year. Visitors should wear layers since the climate can change very quickly. The Bay Area is known for its microclimates which can change dramatically. The warmest months tend to be September and October. November to April or May is considered the rainy season. The average annual temperature is 62.5F (16.9C).
PLAN YOUR VISIT
Operating Hours & Seasons
The park is in developement and has a small visitor center in the City of Richmond’s City Hall South where a Driving Tour Booklet (see below for link) can be obtained.
The Rosie the Riveter Memorial in Marina Bay Park is open year round, dawn to dusk, as are the other city parks within the National Park’s boundries.
The Red Oak Victory Ship is open 10am – 4pm on Tuesdays, Saturdays and Sundays. Please call 510-237-2933 for further information.
The other sites of the park are in private ownership and/or not open to the public at this time. However, their exteriors can be viewed.
Local Partners & Information Resources
Rosie the Riveter Trust
City of Richmond
Driving Tour
Getting There
Plane – Oakland Internartional Airport San Jose International Airport San Francisco International Airport
Car – The Rosie the Riveter Memorial is located in Marina Bay Park.
Sacramento – Interstate 80 West to Cutting Blvd., exit towards I-580 San Rafael. Take Cutting Blvd. 1.4 miles. Turn left onto S. 23rd. St. .2 miles. Stay straight to go onto Marina Bay Pkwy. From Marina Bay Pkwy south, turn right at Regatta and left at Melville into the parking lot of Marina Bay Park.
San Francisco – Interstate 80 Bay Bridge East, 11 miles. Exit to I-580 W towards Richmond/San Rafael, .3 miles. Exit Marina Bay/S. 23rd S. exit. Turn left onto Marina Bay Prky, go .5 miles. Turn right onto Regatta. Turn left at Melville into the parking lot of Marina Bay Park.
Oakland – Interstate 80 East, 8 miles. Exit to I-580 W towards Richmond/San Rafael, .3 miles. Exit Marina Bay/S. 23rd Se. exit. Turn left, .5 miles. Turn right onto Regatta. Turn left at Melville into the parking lot of Marina Bay Park.
Getting Around – Starting at the Rosie the Riveter Memorial, you can view some of the other sites of the park. These include the WWII era Kaiser Hospital, a WWII era Firehouse, Ford Assembly Building, Kaiser Shipyard #3, and the SS Red Oak Victory Ship.
Leave the Memorial by exiting at Melville and Regatta. Turn right onto Regatta and left onto Marina Bay Parkway. As Marina Bay Parkway passes over I-580, it becomes S.23rd St. Turn left onto Cutting Blvd.
The Kaiser Hospital will be on your left. In the next block, the historic firehouse will be on your right. Do not stop at either site. The Hospital is in private ownership and the firehouse is still in operation.
At the intersection of Cutting and Harbor Way, turn left onto Harbor. Drive to the end of Harbor Way and enter Sheridan Observation Point Park. The Ford Assembly Building, where jeeps were built, is on your left. Looking to you right, across the water channel, you can see the WWII historic structures of Shipyard #3. Thousands of workers built ships in that area. The SS Red Oak Victory Shipis visible across the channel. The SS Red Oak Victory Ship was built during WWII in the Kaiser Shipyard and has been recently moved to Shipyard #3. From the Sheridan Observation Point, drive north on Harbor Way. Then turn left on Cutting Blvd. After approximately 1/2 mile, turn left on Canal Blvd. Continue on Canal Blvd.into the shipyard, past the closed security station. Follow the signs advertising the SS Red Oak Victory that will lead you to a road on the right that curves around the edge of the shipyard. The ship is open 10am – 4pm, Tuesday, Saturday and Sunday. For more information about the Red Oak, please call, 510-237-2933.
FACILITIES – VISITOR CENTERS
Richmond City Hall South – Open
Open All Year 9a.m. to 5p.m. Closed Saturday and Sunday.
Phone
(510) 232-5050
Location – 1401 Marina Way South Richmond, CA 94804
Closures
The City Hall is closed on Saturdays and Sundays and for all major holidays.
Special Programs
A Driving Tour of the park may be picked up at the City Hall visitor center.
Exhibits
Exhibits introducing the park’s themes are available in the visitor center.
FEES – ENTRANCE FEES
No Fees – Free! – There are no fees to visit this park at the present time.
By Mail
1401 Marina Way South
Richmond, CA 94804
By Phone
Headquarters
510 232-5050
Red Oak Victory Ship
510 237-2933
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