The California Academy of Sciences - San Francisco, California
Posted by: 
hotshoe
N 37° 46.285 W 122° 28.037
10S E 546916 N 4180587
Sign explaining the long history of the famous Academy of Sciences
Waymark Code: WM631F
Location: California, United States
Date Posted: 03/24/2009
Views: 16
The sign is located on the opposite side of the Music Concourse from the Academy of Science building.
Text from the sign:
"The California Academy of Sciences
before Golden Gate Park
The California Academy of Sciences has been associated with Golden
Gate Park for many years, but has actually been housed in more than
four locations. The Academy of Sciences started with humble
beginnings; the first building was founded in Lewis W. Sloat's office
at 129 Montgomery St. in San Francisco. Lewis W. Sloat and Andrew
Randall wrote the constitution for the Academy on April 4, 1853.
When the Academy outgrew Sloat's office, the first museum was
opened in 1871 in the First Congregational Church on the corner of
California and Grant (then named Dupont). In 1890, it became
apparent that the Academy was outgrowing their facilities once
again and proceeded to move to 819 Market St. in San Francisco."
"The 1906 earthquake had devastating consequences
for The California Academy of Sciences. Immediately
following the earthquake, dedicated staff members
were able to rush to the Academy before the fire arrived
and saved one cartload of precious specimens and
books, however, the majority of the specimen collection
and library that took 50 years to collect was completely
destroyed.
The Academy made a final move to the Music
Concourse in Golden Gate Park in 1916. The museum in
Golden Gate Park expanded through decades of
renovations and additions including the Steinhart
Aquarium in 1923, the Alexander F. Morrison
Planetarium in 1952 and Cowell Hall in 1969. Due to
long-term wear and tear cause by over 100 million
visitors and damage caused by the 1989 Loma Prieta
earthqake, the first Golden Gate Park building was
closed in early 2004 to make way for the new Renzo
Piano designed Academy of Sciences building.
The facade of the 1916 building was incorporated in the
new design of the building and can be seen flanking the
main entrance. The California Academy of Sciences has a
rich history of education and technology and the current
building is no exception."
(transcription mine, any mistakes my own)
Group that erected the marker: City of San Francisco
URL of a web site with more information about the history mentioned on the sign: [Web Link]
Address of where the marker is located. Approximate if necessary:
Hagiwara Tea Garden Drive
San Francisco, CA USA
94118
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Visit Instructions:
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