THE CJM'S TEMPORARY CLOSURE BEGINS DECEMBER 16. ADMISSION IS NOW FREE. PLAN YOUR VISIT!
Market Street Railway

toursteachers

Building Our City: San Francisco, Past to Present School Tour

For students in grades 3–5; available on Thursdays and Fridays by reservation.

ADMISSION: Free for Bay Area K-12 school groups through the 2024-2025 academic year. Tours are $100 per class of 25 students for schools outside of the Bay Area.

Students in grades 3–5 are invited to The CJM to discover the evolution of San Francisco into the city we know today. The city’s history has been shaped by the immense growth spurred by the gold rush, the effects of earthquakes and fires, and the diverse communities who have called San Francisco home. The CJM’s remarkable building, housed within a former power station, and the historic sites of the surrounding South of Market neighborhood, give students the opportunity to peek into the past and explore sunken ships, burial sites, the birth of electricity, and the stories of Jewish immigrants who found opportunity and kept their culture alive in San Francisco. The field trip begins with an outdoor exploration of nearby landmarks on the block where The CJM is located, followed by hands-on activities inside The Museum, and culminates in a design challenge that gives students a chance to imagine their own city.  This tour is aligned to the California History-Social Science Framework. 

Book Your Tour

Book your tour using the button below, or visit our School Tours page to see all of our school tour options. 

Discover resources for Building Our City
More Teacher Resources

The CJM offers an array of free, downloadable resources designed to prepare students and teachers to view exhibitions, and to support your tour experience.

Stay connected

For questions or assistance, call 415.655.7855 or email schools@thecjm.org. Plus, for the latest updates on new programs and resources for educators, sign up for our mailing list below.

supporters

Major support for K-12 School and Teacher Programs is generously provided by California Bank & Trust; William Randolph Hearst Foundation; Barbara and Ronald Kaufman; The Bernard Osher Foundation; Pacific Gas and Electric Company; and Yerba Buena Community Benefit Fund.