Curated by Arnold Woods and Chelsea Sellin
The Conservatory of Flowers is the oldest building in Golden Gate Park in Golden Gate Park, the oldest public wood-and-glass conservatory in North America. Originally intended as a private conservatory for James Lick, the structure made its way to Golden Gate Park following Lick's death in 1876. An instant sensation when it opened in 1879, the conservatory remains one of San Francisco's most photographed landmarks. The building has endured several accidents and natural disasters, and images from over the years document changes to the structure as well as the surrounding landscape.