Rosie the Riveter National Historical Park

Rosie the Riveter National Historical Park

Rosie the Riveter Pixabay Public Domain

Many faces, many stories, many truths weave a complex tapestry of myths and realities from this time of opportunity and loss. - NPS

Welcome to the Rosie the Riveter National Historic Park, the 145-acre historical park dedicated to the efforts and sacrifices of American civilians on the WWII home front. This park is located in Richmond, California, close to San Francisco, and was first established in 2000.

While here your group will be able to explore the Visitor Education Center, Ford Assembly Plant, Rosie the Riveter Memorial, Shipyard No. 3, and Richmond Museum of History.

Inside the Visitor Education Center, you will be able to discover various educational and interactive exhibits that teach you about the time of the WWII Home Front and its place in history. There are park films you can watch here, as well as various programs you can get involved in such as the Betty Reid Soskin Programs, or various ranger/docent programs.

After you've explored the education center head over to the Rosie the Riveter Memorial, which actually began as a simple art project in the 1990s. It was designed by visual artist Susan Schwartzenbag and Cheryl Barton and features a walkway the length of the keel of a ship. The walkway aligns with the Golden Gate Bridge and is inscribed with quotes and a timeline of events during the time.  There are also 2 gardens surrounding it, one of rock rose and one of dune grass.

The panels, quotes and timeline illustrate the complex opportunities, challenges and hardships faced by women during the war years, including gender discrimination, hazardous working conditions, food rationing, and shortages of housing and childcare. - NPS

Before you go be sure to see the SS Red Oak Victory, the last Kaiser ship remaining here. In its heyday, the Kaiser Shipyards produced 747 ships for WWII, and this area was involved in 55 war industries total aside from this.

Also on-site you will find the Richmond Museum of History, for additional educational enlightenment.