as a public bathhouse, and its interior is decorated with fantastic and colorful murals, created primarily by artist and color theoretician Hilaire Hiler. The architects were William Mooser Jr. and William Mooser III. Maritime Research Center The Maritime Research Center is the premier resource for San Francisco and Pacific Coast maritime history. Originating in 1939, the collections have become the largest maritime collection on the west coast and the largest museum and research collection in the National Park Service. The collections include more than: 35,000 published titles comprising over 74,000 items 500,000 photographs 7,000 archival and manuscript collections 150,000 naval architecture and marine engineering drawings 3,000 maps and charts 150,000 feet of motion picture film and video 6,000 historical archaeology artifacts 2,500 pieces of folk and fine art 40,000 history objects 100 small craft 50,000 pieces of ephemera 600 oral histories and audio recordings Supporting associations The park is supported by several cooperating associations. One of these is the San Francisco Maritime National Park Association. Location and access The visitor center, Hyde Street Pier, and Maritime Museum are all situated adjacent to the foot of Hyde Street and at the western end of the Fisherman's Wharf district. The park headquarters and Maritime Research Center are located in Fort Mason, some 10 minutes walk to the west of the other sites. The Beach and Hyde Street terminal of the San Francisco cable car system adjoins the main site, while the Jones Street terminal of the F Market historic streetcar line is some 5 minutes walk to the east. Opening times and fees for the various sites can be found on the park's website; see 'External links' below. Open-water swimming Aquatic Park is a popular place for open water swimming, both for recreation and training. The South End Rowing Club and Dolphin Club are located in Aquatic Park. Recently there have been several incidents of swimmers being bitten by sea lions. See also 49-Mile Scenic Drive List of maritime museums in the United States List of museum ships References Bibliography Bill Pickelhaupt, "San Francisco's Aquatic Park," Charleston, SC, 2005, External links NPS: official San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park website NPS: Aquatic Park Historic District San Francisco Dolphin Club — bay swimming club based at Aquatic Park. Parks in San Francisco National Historical Parks of the United States Maritime museums in California Museums in San Francisco Open-air museums in California Fisherman's Wharf,