Come to the grand re-opening of the historic Sunnyside Conservatory, originally built in 1898 and newly restored to elegant perfection. Enjoy docent tours, music, high tea, and a ceremonial ribbon-cutting at 12:00 noon.

Event will take place rain or shine.

Sunnyside Conservatory was originally built c. 1898 by an English inventor and stargazer, William Augustus Merralls, as a private garden on the grounds of his estate, then a remote part of the City. Over its hundred-year life, the Conservatory passed from private to public hands, and despite its city landmark status (and the great efforts of an earlier generation of neighborhood activists), ended up a wooden shell—bereft of its windows, east wing, accompanying observatory, and in need of stewardship.

The Friends of Sunnyside Conservatory organized in 1999 to restore the historic city landmark and botanic treasure as a gathering place and neighborhood anchor. Ten years later, the Friends’ dream arrives. The historic Sunnyside Conservatory and grounds with its grand palms reopens to the public on December 5, 2009 after a $4 million renovation undertaken by the San Francisco Recreation and Park Department. Grand Reopening festivities include high tea, music, docent-led tours of the garden and restoration, and a souvenir button-making machine for the kid in all of us.

The Friends' plan for the Conservatory to be a vibrant neighborhood hub, envisioning garden tours; art classes; concerts, talks, other “open octagon” events; and the beloved annual Bring-your-own-Pumpkin Carving. The Conservatory, ADA accessible and an easy 8-minute walk from BART, will be available for non-profit and private rentals. Come visit and join in the stewardship of a neighborhood jewel.

For more info see www.sunnysideconservatory.org or info@sunnysideconservatory.org.

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For more information, visit the website for Sunnyside Conservatory Grand Re-Opening.