December 4, 1984. From The Chronicle Archives
SF Chronicle columnist Peter Hartlaub is known for his “Let’s Go To The Morgue” series, where he dives into the deep photo archives of the paper to visit the SF of yesteryear. In today’s column, he looks back on the Academy of Sciences and Steinhart Aquarium before it was remodeled into the grass-roofed tourist magnet that it is today.
I’ve included a few pics here; head over to SFGate.com to view the rest.
They brought back a lot of childhood memories and illustrate how far the museum has come. I loved those dolphins, but wow, I’m glad they’re not part of today’s Cal Academy.
Sarah B.
[via SF Curbed]
October 15, 1971. From The Chronicle Archives
September 28, 1993. From The Chronicle Archives
I have been very disappointed in the museum since it opened. There is very little there in the way of anything substantive to actually learn about. Most museums have things you can look at and read about; the information presented about any specific item is quite palty. There is a LOT of wasted space in that museum. Many other museums do it so much better.
A perfect example of this was the old mineral collection; it was incredible. They removed it and now it is reserved for people who want to pay a premium to see it. That’s baloney. Put it out there for everyone to view. I don’t want to have to make a special reservation to see aspecial collection I could see years ago as part of the admission fee. The Planetarium, Rain Forest, African Panoramas and Aquarium are cool and good exhibits. Everything else is a real waste of space.
I miss the old Academy.
Boy, me too, I sure do miss the old place. The new academy just doesn’t do it for me. I feel like I’m going to Disneyland.
i miss the old museum/aquarium as well. growing up in the bay area, i got to go with my classmates on several field trips. my parents took me here so often it was like going to the neighborhood park. my husband and i went in 2009 and were so disappointed, we barely stayed an hour. the fish were in miserable little individual tanks, the layout of the cafeteria was a mess. there was really nothing to see or interact with. just sad, nothing like i remember as a kid.