The California Academy of Sciences in San Francisco, California, is one of the world’s most renowned natural history museums. The Academy was one of the first museums in the Western United States, having been established just three years after the state of California was admitted to the Union. After suffering severe earthquake damage, the California Academy of Sciences has undergone a major renovation and will reopen in 2008 with a mix of old favorites and cutting-edge new exhibits.
The Academy of Natural Sciences was established in 1853 to investigate the flora, fauna, and history of the state’s numerous natural resources. It was notable for including female scientists, who found it difficult to obtain work or credit during the nineteenth century. Before being destroyed in the 1906 earthquake that leveled much of San Francisco, the Academy’s home moved several times. The Academy was relocated to its current location in Golden Gate Park in 1913.
The California Academy of Sciences has consistently expanded its exhibits with new buildings and exhibits. The Steinhart Aquarium was added to the structure in 1923, followed by the North African Hall in 1934. The Science Hall, Morrison Planetarium, Malliard Library, and Hall of Botany were all added in the 1950s. The planetarium was one of the first in the country, with a star projector designed and built by Academy staff. During WWII, the Academy aided the war effort by repairing optical lenses, and as a result, it gained insight into new technology that aided in the development of the projector.
The California Academy of Sciences was severely damaged by the Loma Prieta earthquake in 1989. Engineers realized the structure would not adapt well to earthquake retrofitting while planning modifications and repairs for the buildings. This provided Academy officials with the opportunity to propose a complete redesign of the site, as well as the implementation of new technology and the expansion of the Academy’s scope once again. Construction began in 2005 with an emphasis on environmentally friendly and sustainable practices.
The planetarium, African Hall of Animals, popular Alligator Swamp, and Foucault pendulum are among the older exhibits in the new Academy. A massive dome enclosing a replica of a rainforest environment, an exhibit of a flooded Amazon River forest, and the world’s deepest interior coral reef exhibit are among the new additions. The structure will serve as an example of environmentally friendly construction, with a garden-like “living roof” observation level.
The California Academy of Sciences will open to the public in September of 2008. Membership packages are now available, starting at $59 US Dollars (USD) per couple for unlimited yearly admission. Daily admission will be available, but prices have not yet been announced by the Academy. The California Academy of Sciences is a must-see landmark in San Francisco for anyone visiting the city. For over 150 years, the various exhibits have provided visitors with an insight into nature and technology, and the tradition looks to continue well into the twenty-first century.