San Francisco Landmarks

Conservatory of Flowers

The Conservatory of Flowers at Golden Gate Park opened in Golden Gate Park in 1879. The Conservatory features more than 1,700 varieties of tropical plants, from palms to cycads to cacao. In its five galleries, this modern horticultural museum displays many endangered species from over 50 countries and focuses on conservation education. Exhibits include lowland and highland tropical flora, aquatic plants, and potted plants. The conservatory is known internationally for its extensive collection of high-altitude orchids, boasting more than 700 of the 1,000 known species—the largest collection in the world.

Fun Fact: A powerful storm destroyed the glass and wood greenhouse in 1998, causing the conservatory to temporarily close. In 2003, the conservatory reopened after extensive reconstruction.

Carol M. Highsmith, a distinguished and widely published American photographer, began donating her work to the Library of Congress in 1992. The Carol M. Highsmith archive at the Library of Congress includes photos from each of the United States and is expected to eventually contain 100,000 photos. Professionally printed and framed prints of these photos are available at PhotographsAmerica.com.

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