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National Japanese American Historical Society
Building 640 Learning Center
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The project is the conversion of the old aircraft hangar into a museum and interpretive learning center for the National Japanese American Historical Society (NJAHS). The hangar, built in 1921 for the fledgling Air Postal Service, is at Crissy Field in the Presidio of San Francisco, with magnificent views of the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz Island and the bay.
In November of 1941 it became the Military Intelligence Service's (MIS) top-secret classroom and barracks for Japanese American soldiers who trained to be interpreters and linguists in the Pacific Theater during WWII. These soldiers provided intelligence and translation services that were later credited with shortening the war with Japan, while ironically their parents and relatives were incarcerated in relocation camps across the country.
The building and site are now on the National Historic Register, and funding for design has been obtained with the assistance of Assemblywoman Pelosi and Senator Boxer of California, and Senators Inouye and Akaka of Hawaii.
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