Andrew Galvan is the curator of Mission Dolores in San Francisco, and as an Ohlone Indian himself has been working for decades to raise awareness of the integral role of native Californians in the development of the mission system. “Come to California, and you’ve got Indians all over the place today!” he says. “Indians whose ancestors were here 250 years ago!”

Older than you think! The founding of the San Francisco Presidio in summer of 1776 – and of the City itself – took place within weeks of the signing of the Declaration of Independence in Philadelphia, July 4, 1776. The folks at the Presidio Archaeology Lab have been working to uncover, preserve and educate the public about the important and fascinating history of this military fort that has operated under the three flags of Spain, Mexico and the United States for 250 years. While...