The domed Conservatory of Flowers is one of the world's largest. It is built of traditional wood sash and glass pane construction.

The Conservatory of Flowers is a large botanical greenhouse in the Golden Gate Park in San Francisco, California. Many exotic flowers from around the world are grown there for study and display. Image File history File links SF_Conservatory_of_Flowers. ... Image File history File links SF_Conservatory_of_Flowers. ... This article is about the building structural element. ... A greenhouse in Saint Paul, Minnesota. ... An aerial view of the Golden Gate Park The Golden Gate Park is the largest urban park in San Francisco, California, USA. At 1017 acres (4. ... This page is a candidate for speedy deletion. ... Official language(s) English Capital Sacramento Largest city Los Angeles Area  Ranked 3rd  - Total 158,302 sq. ... Clivia miniata right hereflowers. ...

History

In 1876 the wealthiest man in California, James Lick died. He had purchased a 12,000 square foot (1100 m²) Victorian wood and glass greenhouse (Conservatory) for use on his Santa Clara property. At his death the Conservatory was still in crates. In 1877, a syndicate of San Francisco businessmen purchased the Conservatory from Lick's estate and donated it to the Park Commission. Over the next two years, the Conservatory was erected in Golden Gate Park. It opened to the public in 1879 and began a long and eventful career. James Lick James Lick (August 25, 1796 – October 1, 1876) was an American carpenter, piano builder, land baron, and patron of the sciences. ... Official website: http://www. ...

The Aquatic Plants room with flowing water, carnivorous plants, and some giant lilypads.

In 1883 the heating plant exploded setting the main dome on fire and reducing it to ashes. Railroad tycoon Charles Crocker donated funds for repair and the dome was restored. In 1906, the great San Francisco earthquake destroyed much of the city, but didn't significantly harm this "glass house." Image File history File links Download high resolution version (480x720, 65 KB) Photo taken by Paul. ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (480x720, 65 KB) Photo taken by Paul. ... subject_name=Charles Crocker| image_name=ccrocker. ... The San Francisco earthquake of 1906 was a major earthquake at San Francisco, California on the early morning of Wednesday, April 18, 1906. ...

In 1933 the Conservatory was closed to the public because of "structural instability" and did not reopen until 1946 after it had been repaired, reglazed and repainted. In 1995 a monster storm with 100 mph (160 km/h) winds blew in off the Pacific from the Gulf of Alaska and caused severe damage, shattering 40% of the glass. The Conservatory was again closed to the public in a sorry state of disrepair. View of the Pacific Ocean from Oregon. ... The Gulf of Alaska is an arm of the Pacific Ocean defined by the curve of the southern coast of Alaska, stretching from the Alaska Peninsula and Kodiak Island in the west to the Alexander Archipelago in the east, where Glacier Bay and the Inside Passage are to be found. ...

In 1998, the Conservatory was placed on a list of the 100 most endangered world monuments by the World Monuments Fund. Also in 1998, the National Trust for Historic Preservation "adopted" the Conservatory into it's Save America's Treasures program. The publicity from these efforts eventually led to a fundraising campaign to raise the millions of dollars needed to properly restore the Conservatory. The restoration effort lasted from 1999 until 2003. On September 20, 2003, the completely restored Conservatory was once again opened to the public. The World Monuments Fund (WMF) is a private, non-profit organization dedicated to the preservation of historic art and architecture worldwide through fieldwork, advocacy, grantmaking, education, and training. ... The National Trust for Historic Preservation is an American member-supported organization which was founded in 1949 to support preservation of historic buildings and neighborhoods through a range of programs and activities. ... September 20 is the 263rd day of the year (264th in leap years). ... 2003 (MMIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

In May of 2005, a corpse flower species Amorphophallus titanum bloomed within the which attracted more than 16,000 visitors. The Conservatory also welcomed it's 500,000th visitor since reopening. Binomial name Amorphophallus titanum (Becc. ...

Statistics

The conservatory has more than 1500 species of plants from different countries. It has 16800 window panes. The upper dome of the conservatory weighs 14.5 tonnes.

See also

49-Mile Scenic Drive 49-Mile Scenic Drive sign The 49-Mile Scenic Drive (also known as 49-Mile Drive) in and around San Francisco highlights many of The Citys major attractions and historic structures. ...

External links

• San Francisco Conservatory of Flowers Official Website
• Golden Gate Park Virtual Tour around Conservatory of Flowers. In stereo.