The dissolution of the California Historical Society (CHS) marks a significant cultural loss for San Francisco, contrasted with its ambitious plans for restoration initiated in 2016. Intended to be a key partner in the Old Mint's revival, CHS faced insurmountable costs, leading to the sale of its Mission Street building in 2022. The sale reflects broader challenges in the local real estate market and follows the sudden passing of CHS's Executive Director. Nonetheless, this change may provide increased access to historical collections which had been underutilized due to staffing shortages.
Even if the building - painted 'international orange' in 2012 to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Golden Gate Bridge - becomes an active storefront again, the Yerba Buena neighborhood has lost yet another longtime cultural anchor.
Dissolution is a very different fate than the one the CHS envisioned back in 2016, when San Francisco tapped the nonprofit to become the lead partner in the potential restoration of the Old Mint.
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