A Tour of the Gardens and Lagoon of
the Palace of Fine Arts

The Palace of Fine Arts San Francisco was the last of the Panama Pacific Exposition buildings built by Bernard Maybeck. The original columns and rotunda were framed in wood and covered with “staff”, a mixture of plaster and burlap type fiber. This construction was to create an exhibit primarily to last one year and then collapse readily. Staff was ideal, but durability was one quality it lacked.

William Merchant of the Maybeck office spent the last ten years of his life planning its restoration. A Foundation was funded to duplicate the Palace with lasting materials. In the late 1950’s a group led by Walter S. Johnson initiated a drive to rescue the Palace from demolition. In 1964 a contract was awarded and reconstruction began in 1967 to replace the original colonnades with concrete castings.

Our tour leader, Charles Duncan, of Carey & Co. Inc. has 24 years experience as an architect with specific expertise in historic preservation. He is the current Project Manager of the rehabilitation of the Palace and the 1905 Murphy Windmill in Golden Gate Park. He is past Chairman of the Richmond Design Review Board and serves on the Richmond Planning Commission.

In addition, we will be led by Jan Berckefeldt, a principal of the Maybeck Foundation.

We will meet at the back of the Lagoon by the Rotunda and proceed from there. Parking is available behind the Exploratorium next door.

After the tour, those of you who like can join some of us at Liverpool Lil’s, 2942 Lyon Street for a no-host bar. Dining reservations may be made at (415) 921 6664. The restaurant is small, so, if interested, do not wait until the last minute to make a reservation.

Come join us for an exciting, fun and informative evening in the Marina.

Google Map - Palace of Fine Arts

[Print Meeting Announcement]