Across the street from Ghirardelli Square, in the beautiful setting of Aquatic Park, the historic Maritime Museum building looks out over San Francisco Bay, with sweeping views from the Golden Gate Bridge to Alcatraz Island. Built in 1938 as a WPA economic recovery project, the museum building is a marvelous example of Art Deco style, and includes fanciful mural paintings and unique architectural motifs. The museum houses some of the Park's thousands of nautical artifacts, models and exhibits. It also serves as a stunning venue for outside events: weddings, meetings and gala celebrations.