| Palace of Fine Arts |
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The Palace was designed by Berkeley architect Bernard Maybeck. It was the last building of the Exposition to be started, commencing construction on December 8, 1913.
For purposes of an exposition, the buildings were constructed to last a year. William Merchant, spent the last ten years of his life until 1962 planning the Palace's restoration. A move to preserve the Palace was begun in October, 1915, 33,000 supportive signatures were gathered, and $350,000 was raised towards the duplication of the Palace in lasting materials.
After World War I the Palace became a part of the city’s park system. During World War II, the Palace was used by the Army. In1947, the Palace was returned to the city. Though it was slowly crumbling away from wear and tear of weather and abuse. It was fenced off as a public hazard. Toward the end of the 1950’s a fundraising drive was started to rescue and restore the Palace. In 1964, reconstruction began, and completed in 1967 to a stripped down version of the original. In 1975, Walter S. Johnson added the remaining colonnades as a gift to the city.
The Exploratorium and Palace of Fine Arts are also close to the Golden Gate Bridge and the Presidio.
During your San Francisco tour aboard San Francisco Comprehensive Tours we will take to this location stop, walk around and give you ample time to take pictures.
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