The Conservatory of Flowers

Go and visit! - it’s free for San Francisco residents - just show your license at the door!

The conservatory was donated by James Lick to the Society of California Pioneers upon Lick’s death in late 1876. The Society sold the conservatories to several local philanthropists who donated them to the city for use in Golden Gate Park. William Hammond Hall, the park’s surveyor and first superintendent had included a location for a conservatory in the initial park plans - so there was already a location set aside. Most of the conservatory was designed and fabricated by Lord and Burnham on the east coast and shipped in parts; but California native trees were also used to construct the building. The building opened in April 1879.

The Conservatory quickly became one of the most visited attractions in the park after opening in 1879. Even though the building survived the 1906 earthquake, two furnace fires damaged the building in 1883 and again in 1918. Great Depression era budget cuts in the 30s left the building underfunded and neglected. After narrowly avoiding several permanent closures, the Conservatory finally had to close after a devastating wind storm in 1995. 40% of the glass was shattered and the funding was not available for repairs.

Storm damage, 1995
source: https://www.sfgate.com/news/article/Bloom-Times-Ahead-San-Francisco-s-Conservatory-2960350.php#photo-2262677

In 1996, the Conservatory was placed on the World Monuments Fund’s list of 100 Most Endangered Sites - bringing the building to national attention. First Lady Hilary Clinton inducted the Conservatory into the Save America’s Treasures program in 1998. This program was established in that same year and was a partnership between the National Trust for Historic Preservation and the National Park Service to save properties and artefacts of cultural significance. The national programs’ donation along with local fundraising efforts raised the necessary $25 million to complete the repairs and reopen the building to the public. Restoration began in 2000 and the Conservatory reopened to the public in September 2023.

Garage Remodel - Adding Important Functions (and Value)

Making a Custom Bench with Furniture Designer and Fabricator, The Long Confidence