California Academy of Sciences ~ A quick tour through its 155 year history

California Academy of Sciences~

A quick tour through its 155 year history.

Our beginning on April 4th, 1853as the California Academy of Natural

Sciences

“On the evening of April 4, 1853, seven men assembled in a candle-lit room at 129 Montgomery and founded the first academy of science west of the Atlantic seaboard.”

The first formal museum of the now California Academy of Sciences

located at DuPont [Grant Avenue] and California Streets from 1872 to 1890.

Market Street Academy

1891 - 1906

With a bequest from James Lick, this stately, six story stone building was built at 833 Market Street [between Third and Fourth Streets].

The center archway leads to the museum in the rear building. The front building was an income producing commercial building.

Market Street Museum

The mammoth now dominates the second floor in this sky lit, open court of the museum.

Research offices were located on the top floors.

A museum guest in the 1890s

Alice Eastwood Alice Eastwood & the Earthquake story& the Earthquake story

On April 18th, 1906, at 5:12 am, an On April 18th, 1906, at 5:12 am, an approximately 8.0 magnitude earthquake struck approximately 8.0 magnitude earthquake struck San Francisco. Several Academy curators and San Francisco. Several Academy curators and staff members rushed to the Market Street staff members rushed to the Market Street Academy and were able to rescue one cart of Academy and were able to rescue one cart of materials. The items saved included Academy materials. The items saved included Academy minute books, membership records, and 2,000 minute books, membership records, and 2,000 type specimens. The remaining 50 years’ worth of type specimens. The remaining 50 years’ worth of research collections and the library were lost in research collections and the library were lost in the fire. The heroine of the day was Botany the fire. The heroine of the day was Botany curator Alice Eastwood, whose deeds remain curator Alice Eastwood, whose deeds remain legendary today.legendary today.

The mammoth is gone!

Alice Eastwood 1859 - 1953 ~

Academy botanist

Galapagos Islands, 1905-1906 Galapagos Islands, 1905-1906 Expedition, Schooner Expedition, Schooner AcademyAcademy

The Schooner The Schooner AcademyAcademy set sail for the set sail for the Galapagos Islands on June 28th, 1905 with Galapagos Islands on June 28th, 1905 with seven Academy scientists aboard. The seven Academy scientists aboard. The group was led by Rollo Beck. They explored group was led by Rollo Beck. They explored the islands for a year, but upon hearing of the islands for a year, but upon hearing of the April 1906 earthquake in San Francisco, the April 1906 earthquake in San Francisco, they set sail and returned home that they set sail and returned home that November. The specimens they collected November. The specimens they collected became the core of the scientific collections became the core of the scientific collections after the Academy and its first 50 years of after the Academy and its first 50 years of collecting were destroyed. collecting were destroyed.

While the Academy was being destroyed by the 1906 earthquake, the Schooner Academy and its scientists [in suits] were on expedition in the Galapagos Islands.

The research collections they brought back became the beginning of the new Academy

January 1894 ~ The Concourse developed for the Mid-Winter International Exposition

San Francisco City / County charter ~ citizens voted in 1910 to authorize

a museum to be located in Golden Gate Park on the Concourse

North American Hall

including Bird Hall,Research, Library and Auditorium

~Dedicated September 22, 1916

These large doors are the public entrance to the first building, North American Hall. This 1925 view shows the entrance with the Francis Scott Key statue.

This entrance was used until 1969.

Steinhart Aquarium

Dedicated September 29, 1923

Steinhart Aquarium, the Academy’s second building, was dedicated on September 29, 1923, fulfilling Ignatz Steinhart's dream and bequest of a public aquarium for the city of San Francisco.

Visitors are viewing the center of three pools at the courtyard entrance.

Simson African Hall

Dedicated December 3, 1934

Simson African Hall

Science HallDedicated February 20, 1951

Morrison Planetarium1952

Mailliard Library1959

Science Hall joined Simson African Hall with the Steinhart Aquarium.

The tile dome is Morrison Planetarium.

Our footprint in Golden Gate Park, 1960s

Courtyard with Whale Fountain and Francis Scott Key sculpture

Wattis Halland rear or Middle Drive entrance

Dedicated June 30, 1976

Middle Drive entrance through Wattis Hall

Cowell Hall 1969

Herbst Portico

1992

The Academy closed its doors on December 31st, 2003

Views of the PastViews of the Past

Information on features that will Information on features that will return in the new Academyreturn in the new Academy

Events, expeditions and special Events, expeditions and special peoplepeople

Answers about Academy icons that Answers about Academy icons that have found new homes.have found new homes.

Map by Phil Frank

Steinhart Aquarium and Steinhart Aquarium and SwampSwamp

Ignatz SteinhartIgnatz Steinhart proposed an aquarium for the city of San proposed an aquarium for the city of San Francisco in 1910. In 1916, he began conversations with Academy Francisco in 1910. In 1916, he began conversations with Academy Director Barton W. Evermann. After approval by a city election in Director Barton W. Evermann. After approval by a city election in 19181918, a city charter established that the management and , a city charter established that the management and operation of an aquarium would be under the direction of the operation of an aquarium would be under the direction of the Academy and the operating funds would be furnished by the City Academy and the operating funds would be furnished by the City of San Francisco. Ignatz donated the funds to construct the of San Francisco. Ignatz donated the funds to construct the Steinhart Aquarium in honor of his brother, Steinhart Aquarium in honor of his brother, Sigmund SteinhartSigmund Steinhart..

19231923 ~ The Steinhart Aquarium was opened on September 22nd. ~ The Steinhart Aquarium was opened on September 22nd. 19631963 ~ Major renovations were completed on the aquarium ~ Major renovations were completed on the aquarium

including the addition of the 63,500 gallon Dolphin Tank. The including the addition of the 63,500 gallon Dolphin Tank. The Swamp now contained animals that would be found in an Swamp now contained animals that would be found in an American southeastern swamp, American alligators and alligator American southeastern swamp, American alligators and alligator snapping turtles.snapping turtles.

19771977 ~ The Fish Roundabout was dedicated. ~ The Fish Roundabout was dedicated. 19951995 ~ Passage of aquarium bond, Proposition C, for seismic ~ Passage of aquarium bond, Proposition C, for seismic

upgrade and infrastructure repairs.upgrade and infrastructure repairs.


Building designed by San Francisco architect Building designed by San Francisco architect

Lewis P. Hobart.Lewis P. Hobart.

Swamp Room


Sea horse railings and bronze Sea horse railings and bronze doorsdoors sculpted by San Franciscan sculpted by San Franciscan Edgar Walters with bronze produced Edgar Walters with bronze produced by C.J. Hillard Company, Inc. by C.J. Hillard Company, Inc.

Swamp Room with sea horse railings

Bronze sea horse railings

Bronze handles to Steinhart Aquarium doors


TilesTiles designed and produced by designed and produced by Solon and Schemmel of San Jose. Solon and Schemmel of San Jose. “The lively intrusions of polychrome “The lively intrusions of polychrome tiles into the prevailing sea-green tiles into the prevailing sea-green ground tone are most happy in ground tone are most happy in effect”.effect”.

The tiles surrounding the swamp

A friendly face on the exterior of Steinhart Aquarium

Blue Whale SkeletonBlue Whale Skeleton The California Academy of Sciences' blue whale (The California Academy of Sciences' blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus),Balaenoptera musculus), also known as a also known as a

sulfur-bottom whale) was captured off the west coast of Vancouver Island in 1908 by the whaler sulfur-bottom whale) was captured off the west coast of Vancouver Island in 1908 by the whaler St. Lawrence, which was owned by the Pacific Whaling Station at Kyuquot, British Columbia. The St. Lawrence, which was owned by the Pacific Whaling Station at Kyuquot, British Columbia. The skeleton was presented to the Academy in 1915 and then buried in what is now the Shakespeare skeleton was presented to the Academy in 1915 and then buried in what is now the Shakespeare Garden until it was mounted for display in 1917 by Joseph P. Herring. Garden until it was mounted for display in 1917 by Joseph P. Herring.

The skeleton was displayed in a large open shed: over 94 feet long and 24 feet wide, with height The skeleton was displayed in a large open shed: over 94 feet long and 24 feet wide, with height varying from 14 to 22 feet. This shed cost $1777.08 to build -- over $33,000 in 2007 dollars. It varying from 14 to 22 feet. This shed cost $1777.08 to build -- over $33,000 in 2007 dollars. It was installed between the research wing and Bird Hall of North American Building. The April was installed between the research wing and Bird Hall of North American Building. The April 1967 Academy member newsletter reports that staff had recently added barbed wire to a cyclone 1967 Academy member newsletter reports that staff had recently added barbed wire to a cyclone fence surrounding the whale shed because of recurring problems with graffiti, vandalism, and fence surrounding the whale shed because of recurring problems with graffiti, vandalism, and theft. Fiberglass substitutes for stolen bones were installed, and the entire skeleton received a theft. Fiberglass substitutes for stolen bones were installed, and the entire skeleton received a cleaning and a coat of weather-proof paint.cleaning and a coat of weather-proof paint.

The whale itself, a male, is 75 feet long and is estimated to have weighed over 80 tons. It The whale itself, a male, is 75 feet long and is estimated to have weighed over 80 tons. It measures 11 feet wide and 9 feet deep at its 11th rib. Its head alone is over 20 feet long, its measures 11 feet wide and 9 feet deep at its 11th rib. Its head alone is over 20 feet long, its longest rib is over 10 feet long, and its front flippers are nearly 11 feet long. Its corpse yielded longest rib is over 10 feet long, and its front flippers are nearly 11 feet long. Its corpse yielded over 8 tons of fertilizer, 60 barrels of whale oil, and 400 pounds of baleen.over 8 tons of fertilizer, 60 barrels of whale oil, and 400 pounds of baleen.

Whale Skeleton Courtyard

Tyrannosaurus rexTyrannosaurus rex

Our Our Tyrannosaurus rexTyrannosaurus rex is a cast made from is a cast made from two dinosaurs, as none have been found two dinosaurs, as none have been found intact. It was purchased from the Royal intact. It was purchased from the Royal Tyrrell Museum of Paleontology of Drumheller Tyrrell Museum of Paleontology of Drumheller in Alberta and was assembled in the in Alberta and was assembled in the Academy Courtyard in the summer of 1993. Academy Courtyard in the summer of 1993. It was on display to explain the science of the It was on display to explain the science of the film film Jurassic ParkJurassic Park during our Jurassic exhibit. during our Jurassic exhibit. It was moved indoors the next year and was It was moved indoors the next year and was put on display in Cowell Hall.put on display in Cowell Hall.

Tyrannosaurus rex

Tyrannosaurus rex

Sabre-toothed catSabre-toothed cat

This prehistoric cat from the La Brea This prehistoric cat from the La Brea tar pits has been on exhibit in both tar pits has been on exhibit in both Fossil Hall (1969) and the Life Fossil Hall (1969) and the Life Through Time (1990) exhibit. Through Time (1990) exhibit.

Sabre toothed cat

Sabre toothed cat

Foucault PendulumFoucault Pendulum

During World War II, an optical shop was set up in the During World War II, an optical shop was set up in the Museum to grind and polish lenses and to rebuild binoculars Museum to grind and polish lenses and to rebuild binoculars and telescopes for the U.S. Navy. With this staff and and telescopes for the U.S. Navy. With this staff and expertise, the Academy went on to build our Morrison expertise, the Academy went on to build our Morrison Planetarium Star Projector and our Foucault Pendulum. Planetarium Star Projector and our Foucault Pendulum. Foucault created his pendulum in 1851 to prove that the Foucault created his pendulum in 1851 to prove that the earth rotates. Our pendulum was located in Science Hall earth rotates. Our pendulum was located in Science Hall when it opened in 1952. In 1958 we built a Foucault when it opened in 1952. In 1958 we built a Foucault Pendulum for the Smithsonian Museum and then in 1960 Pendulum for the Smithsonian Museum and then in 1960 we started producing them for clients around the world. we started producing them for clients around the world. They were built in our instrument shop at an average of 4 They were built in our instrument shop at an average of 4 to 5 a year. They are now created by retired staffer Cary to 5 a year. They are now created by retired staffer Cary Ponchione as “Academy Pendulum Sales.”Ponchione as “Academy Pendulum Sales.”

Foucault Pendulum

Optical shop in Bird Hall during World War II

Pendulums ready for delivery

AlligatorsAlligators

(Alligator mississipiensis(Alligator mississipiensis) ~ The original ) ~ The original swamp inhabitants were replaced swamp inhabitants were replaced during the Aquarium reconstruction of during the Aquarium reconstruction of 1962 with American alligators from the 1962 with American alligators from the American Southeast. When the American Southeast. When the Academy closed in 2003, these Academy closed in 2003, these alligators were retired to Georgia. New alligators were retired to Georgia. New and younger alligators will now inhabit and younger alligators will now inhabit the new swamp. the new swamp.

On view in the swamp

American alligators in swamp

Galapagos Islands, 1932, Galapagos Islands, 1932, Crocker Expedition and Toshio Crocker Expedition and Toshio

AsaedaAsaeda Three Academy scientists accompanied Three Academy scientists accompanied

Templeton Crocker on his Schooner Templeton Crocker on his Schooner ZacaZaca for his 1932 expedition to the Galapagos for his 1932 expedition to the Galapagos Islands. Crocker’s photographer and staff Islands. Crocker’s photographer and staff artist was Toshio Asaeda. His watercolors of artist was Toshio Asaeda. His watercolors of fish captured their natural color, since they fish captured their natural color, since they were painted as they were brought from the were painted as they were brought from the sea. His paintings were used as species sea. His paintings were used as species signage in the old Steinhart Aquarium. signage in the old Steinhart Aquarium. Asaeda later joined the Academy’s Exhibit Asaeda later joined the Academy’s Exhibit Department staff.Department staff.

An Asaeda fish painting

Toshio Asaeda working on an African Annex diorama

““Monarch” the grizzly bearMonarch” the grizzly bear

““Monarch” the grizzly bear was captured alive on Gleason Monarch” the grizzly bear was captured alive on Gleason Mountain in the San Gabriel Range in Los Angeles County in Mountain in the San Gabriel Range in Los Angeles County in 1889. He was placed on display in Woodward Gardens, a 1889. He was placed on display in Woodward Gardens, a San Francisco amusement park, and then in Golden Gate San Francisco amusement park, and then in Golden Gate Park. When he died in 1911 his body was prepared by Park. When he died in 1911 his body was prepared by taxidermist Vernon Shepard for the Natural History taxidermist Vernon Shepard for the Natural History Department of the de Young Museum. He was accessioned Department of the de Young Museum. He was accessioned into Academy’s Ornithology and Mammalogy Department in into Academy’s Ornithology and Mammalogy Department in 1953.1953.

In 1953, Don Greame Kelley, the founding editor of In 1953, Don Greame Kelley, the founding editor of Pacific Pacific Discovery Discovery (the Academy’s first magazine)(the Academy’s first magazine) was was commissioned to create the design for the new California commissioned to create the design for the new California state flag. Kelley used Monarch as a model for his drawing state flag. Kelley used Monarch as a model for his drawing of the California grizzly bear. The original bear flag had of the California grizzly bear. The original bear flag had been adopted by the state of California in 1911.been adopted by the state of California in 1911.

“Monarch,” the model for our California State “Bear” Flag

Image on our California State “Bear” Flag

Other objects on displayOther objects on display

Years of human hands have smoothed this Years of human hands have smoothed this mammoth mammoth tusktusk that was saved from the Academy after the 1906 that was saved from the Academy after the 1906 San Francisco Earthquake.San Francisco Earthquake.

The larger tree section was cut from a The larger tree section was cut from a Giant SequoiaGiant Sequoia ((Sequoiadendron giganteumSequoiadendron giganteum) growing in Sequoia ) growing in Sequoia National Park, CA. It was cut in the winter of 1917-18 National Park, CA. It was cut in the winter of 1917-18 at the age of 1,710 years. The smaller section is from at the age of 1,710 years. The smaller section is from a a Coast RedwoodCoast Redwood ( (Sequoia sempervirensSequoia sempervirens).).

““Methuselah”Methuselah” the lungfish ( the lungfish (Neoceratodus forsteriNeoceratodus forsteri) is ) is the oldest fish in the Steinhart Aquarium. He came the oldest fish in the Steinhart Aquarium. He came half grown to the Academy in 1937.half grown to the Academy in 1937.

Mammoth tusk saved from 1906 earthquake

On right: Sequoia gigantean from Sequoia National Park, CAAge: 1,710 years

“Methuselah” ~ the Academy’s oldest fish ~ a lungfish

Old views of Simson African Hall

African Watering Hole

Listening to the gorilla

Items no longer at the Items no longer at the AcademyAcademy

Gary Larsen’s Far Side Gallery Gary Larsen’s Far Side Gallery ~~ This This permanent gallery was created after the 1985 permanent gallery was created after the 1985 exhibit of Gary Larsen’s Far Side cartoons. The exhibit of Gary Larsen’s Far Side cartoons. The name was also used for the Academy’s annual name was also used for the Academy’s annual Thanksgiving weekend race, The Run to the Far Thanksgiving weekend race, The Run to the Far Side, from 1985 to 2002. The exhibit and the rights Side, from 1985 to 2002. The exhibit and the rights to use the name were returned to the cartoonist in to use the name were returned to the cartoonist in 2003.2003.

Morrison Planetarium Star ProjectorMorrison Planetarium Star Projector SafeQuakeSafeQuake and and Earthquake TheaterEarthquake Theater ~ These ~ These

two exhibits gave visitors the chance to two exhibits gave visitors the chance to experience a simulation of a California earthquake.experience a simulation of a California earthquake.

Gary Larson’s Far Side gallery

Morrison Planetarium star projector

EarthQuake exhibit and theater


Dolphins ~ Dolphins ~ A 63,500 gallon tank with a pipeline to the A 63,500 gallon tank with a pipeline to the Pacific Ocean was built during the renovations of Steinhart Pacific Ocean was built during the renovations of Steinhart Aquarium in 1963. This tank was the home for two Pacific Aquarium in 1963. This tank was the home for two Pacific white-sided dolphins, a bottlenose porpoise and harbor seals. white-sided dolphins, a bottlenose porpoise and harbor seals. In 1995, the two 2 dolphins were relocated to the Sea World In 1995, the two 2 dolphins were relocated to the Sea World of Texas in San Antonio to live in a much larger, two million of Texas in San Antonio to live in a much larger, two million gallon tank. Tropical sharks took over the dolphin tank.gallon tank. Tropical sharks took over the dolphin tank.

Fish Roundabout ~ Fish Roundabout ~ This circular–toroidal tank was opened This circular–toroidal tank was opened in 1977 and was the first of its kind in the United States. in 1977 and was the first of its kind in the United States. Open sea or pelagic fish could swim 50 miles a day in a 1 Open sea or pelagic fish could swim 50 miles a day in a 1 knot current in the 100,000 sea water tank. It was also voted knot current in the 100,000 sea water tank. It was also voted by the citizens of San Francisco as the best “make-out” by the citizens of San Francisco as the best “make-out” location in the citylocation in the city

““Butterball” the Manatee ~ Butterball” the Manatee ~ Butterball was a beloved Butterball was a beloved resident of the Steinhart Aquarium from 1967 to 1984. He resident of the Steinhart Aquarium from 1967 to 1984. He ate 25 heads of lettuce every day and reached a weight of ate 25 heads of lettuce every day and reached a weight of 450 pounds at maturity.450 pounds at maturity.

Fish Roundabout

“Butterball” the manatee

Dolphin Tank


Whale Fountain Whale Fountain ~The Whale Fountain was sculpted ~The Whale Fountain was sculpted by Robert Howard for the San Francisco Pavilion at by Robert Howard for the San Francisco Pavilion at the World’s Fair on Treasure Island in 1939. It was the World’s Fair on Treasure Island in 1939. It was rescued from storage and placed in the Academy’s rescued from storage and placed in the Academy’s Central Courtyard in 1958. Owned by the City of San Central Courtyard in 1958. Owned by the City of San Francisco, it now resides on the San Francisco City Francisco, it now resides on the San Francisco City College campus.College campus.

Bufano sculptures Bufano sculptures ~~ The large and loveable Bufano The large and loveable Bufano animal sculptures from the Academy’s central animal sculptures from the Academy’s central courtyard are owned by the City of San Francisco and courtyard are owned by the City of San Francisco and now have new homes. They were placed in the now have new homes. They were placed in the courtyard after an Academy exhibit of the work of San courtyard after an Academy exhibit of the work of San Francisco sculptor Beniamino [Benny] Bufano in 1975. Francisco sculptor Beniamino [Benny] Bufano in 1975.

The Whale Fountain

Bufano sculptures

Presented by the Library and Special CollectionsPresented by the Library and Special Collections Karren Elsbernd, Aimee Morgan, Larry Currie Karren Elsbernd, Aimee Morgan, Larry Currie

and volunteer Marilyn Dumanand volunteer Marilyn Duman

Documents

California Academy of Sciences ~ A quick tour through its 155 year history