Opening in 2026, the Courage Museum is designed to build a world in which violence is not an inevitable part of the human experience.
An immersive experience that encourages visitors to imagine a world without violence, hate, and discrimination.
A bold new platform for public education, inspiration, and action. The museum will engage visitors in a learning journey towards the possibility of a world in which violence is not an inevitable part of the human experience. It will be a place where individuals are informed and equipped with tools to rethink violence and advance concrete change.
Entry Gallery: A two-way mirror presents messages from past visitors and invites new visitors to see themselves in the movement to end violence.
Empathy Mirrors: In this intimate gallery, visitors engage with storytellers who share their personal narratives of adversity, discrimination and resilience. Through empathetic listening and interactive questions, visitors consider their own capacity for courage and action in the face of adversity and discrimination.
Change of this magnitude takes courage — as well as a roadmap.
Whether onsite or online, visitors will experience the integration of science, empathy and activism as they move through the installations. Through real, intimate, and collective experiences with compelling storytellers, visitors will be encouraged to consider the variety of ways in which courage can fuel their own actions to advance positive change in their schools, communities, and society at large.
Change of this magnitude takes courage — as well as a roadmap.
Whether onsite or online, visitors will experience the integration of science, empathy and activism as they move through the installations. Through real, intimate, and collective experiences with compelling storytellers, visitors will be encouraged to consider the variety of ways in which courage can fuel their own actions to advance positive change in their schools, communities, and society at large.
Empathy Mirrors: In this intimate gallery, visitors engage with storytellers who share their personal narratives of adversity, discrimination and resilience. Through empathetic listening and interactive questions, visitors consider their own capacity for courage and action in the face of adversity and discrimination.
Knowledge alone is not enough. The Courage Museum is where we will take action.
Its four anchor installations – “Bearing Witness,” “ReThink,” “Empathy Mirrors,” and “Change Is Real” – explore the science and biology of violence; the connections between violence, discrimination, poverty, race and gender; the transformational impact of empathy; and the everyday actions we can all take to prevent violence.
Change is Real Gallery: Celebrates the forward momentum and impact of change makers among us: courageous individuals, luminaries, everyday heroes, and survivors who have fought against violence.
MISSION
Located on the Main Post of the Presidio National Park in San Francisco, the Courage Museum will put public land to use for a public service: ending the public health crisis caused by violence, and the hate that fuels it. The Courage Museum is a design lab for the deep, transformative human change needed to prevent violence before it happens.
NEWS
Photo Credit: Devlin Shand and Drew Altizer for Drew Altizer Photography
Photo Credit: Devlin Shand and Drew Altizer for Drew Altizer Photography
MEMBERSHIP
Become a Founding Member of the Courage Museum
Join us at $100/year or $8/month to take full advantage of Courage Museum membership benefits now and secure priority access when the museum opens in 2026!
As a special thank you, all Founding Members will also have their name listed on our Donor Recognition Wall in time for our Grand Opening.
All memberships will be auto-renewed annually or monthly, depending upon your indicated preference at time of check out.
JOIN NOW to become part of the Courage Museum story and enjoy the following unique benefits:
- Complimentary subscription to Behind the Scenes, our quarterly newsletter with the latest news on the Courage Museum progress and plans
- Exclusive invitations to virtual museum events
- Invitations to in-person hard hat tours and “Sneak Peek” events once construction commences
LOCAL PROJECTS
In partnership with renowned museum designer Jake Barton, founder of the experience design firm Local Projects, whose recent projects include the 9/11 National Memorial and Museum in New York City, and the Legacy Museum in Montgomery, Alabama.
LEAD INVESTORS
Patricia Lee-Hoffmann
State of California
Anonymous
Allstate Foundation
Emily Scott
Blue Shield of California Foundation
Anonymous
U.S. Department of Education
Nancy Eccles and Homer M. Hayward Family Foundation
Deborah Santana
Jonathan Logan Family Foundation
Mark Hayes
San Francisco Giants
Women Moving Millions
Wendling Family
Koret Foundation
Joyce Newstat and Susan Lowenberg
The Hellman Family Foundation
The California Endowment
The Philanthropy Workshop/Pivotal Ventures
Elizabeth and Alan Dye
Vintner’s Daughter
JaMel and Tom Perkins
William Hirsch and Betsy Crabtree
Metta Krach
Long Ridge Foundation
Towanda Foundation
Pilar Z Woodman
Ryka
The Hardenbergh Charitable Fund
Margaret Simpson and Douglas Booth
Anonymous
Tracy and Mark Ferron
Ford Foundation
Micki Klearman
Susan Leal and Susan Hirsch
Harwell Godfrey
Connie and Kevin Shanahan
Jill Tonkin Finegold