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1876
San Jose businessman James Lick passes away. The Conservatory, still in crates, is found among his effects.
1877
Prominent SF businessmen purchase Conservatory from Lick's estate and offer as gift to the Park Commission.
1878-1879
The Conservatory is erected in Golden Gate Park.
1879
Conservatory of Flowers opens to the public.
1883
The boiler explodes and the main dome catches fire and is completely destroyed.
1883
Charles Crocker donates funds to restore the Conservatory's dome.
1906
Conservatory survives the earthquake intact.
1918
Fire again damages dome and adjoining potting room.
1933
Structural instability causes the Park Commission to close the Conservatory.
1946
The Conservatory is repainted, reglazed and reopened to the public.
1962
A catwalk and ladders are added to the main dome.
1964
Much of the dome is repaired with pressure-treated redwood.
1978
Major repairs to deteriorated dome woodwork, distinct from 1964 work.
1995
Conservatory closes due to severe windstorm damage in early December.
1998
The World Monuments Fund places the Conservatory on the list of the 100 most endangered world monuments.
1998
The National Trust's Save America's Treasures and First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton adopt the Conservatory.
1999
$25 million restoration campaign begins.
September 2003
Reopening celebration at the Conservatory.
October 2004
Launch of successful new school tour program.
May 2005
"Ted the Titan," a corpse flower, attracted more than 16,000 visitors while in bloom, and the Conservatory welcomed the 500,000th visitor since reopening.
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