Happy 125th Birthday De Young
Happy birthday to de Young! The museum celebrated being open 125 years on March 25, 2020.
The museum got its start as the Fine Arts Building during the 1894 California Midwinter International Exposition in Golden Gate Park. After the exposition, the building was designated as a museum, the Memorial Museum, for the people of San Francisco in 1895. Best of all, it didn’t charge an admission.
It was later renamed to the de Young Museum in honor of Michael H. de Young who helped created the original exposition and served as the pioneer for its remodel after the great earthquake of 1906. Read more about its history.
Virtual Visit
Unfortunately we can’t visit the museum in person to celebrate right now, but you can explore over 200 works of art from its collection from the comfort of your home through the Google Art Project.
Through the Google Street View function, users can tour six of the American art galleries. This 3D, virtual experience is enhanced by links to object records that enable art enthusiasts to zoom in on the work of art and learn more about it from the curators via video and audio content.
Today is our birthday . . . and it’s a big one! We’re turning 125 years old.
Tweet us some of your de Young memories and we’ll RT our favorites. #deyoung125 pic.twitter.com/VPRfEWZF7H
— de Young Museum (@deyoungmuseum) March 25, 2020
Local Bay Area institutions wished a happy birthday to the de Young on Twitter.
Can you guess that #SanFrancisco museum? ?
Happy 125th birthday to our friends at the @deyoungmuseum! Established on this day in 1895, the de Young has connected the community with global and local art since its opening. Here’s to another 125! #deyoung125 pic.twitter.com/Q1JxYfIYW6
— Museum of Craft and Design (@SF_MCD) March 25, 2020
Happy 125th birthday, neighbor! Golden Gate Park wouldn’t be the same without you @deyoungmuseum! pic.twitter.com/TtDebhTc1p
— San Francisco Botanical Garden (@SFBGS) March 25, 2020
Happy 125th to @deyoungmuseum. Hats *on* to you for 125 years of enriching the Bay Area with art. #deyoung125 pic.twitter.com/2aBYAAgclW
— Cantor Arts Center (@CantorArts) March 25, 2020
Wishing a wonderful 125th birthday to our friends @deyoungmuseum!? ? 125 never looked so good. #deyoung125 pic.twitter.com/Ux3wfd3BkK
— Oakland Museum of California (@oaklandmuseumca) March 25, 2020
Happy Birthday to the @deyoungmuseum which turns 125 today! Thanks for being a pillar in the Bay Area arts community over the years and during these tough times! #deyoung125 pic.twitter.com/nCJvDmBJZs
— American Conservatory Theater (@ACTSanFrancisco) March 25, 2020
? Forever de Young
I want to be forever de Young
Do you really want to live forever?
Forever, forever de Young ? ?Happy 125th birthday to our SF neighbor, @deyoungmuseum! #deyoung125 #museumlove #happybirthday #hbd #SF #SFstrong pic.twitter.com/aTKPs9qQMo
— The CJM (@Jewseum) March 25, 2020
Hey, @deyoungmuseum, 125 looks pretty good on you.
Happy birthday to our friends across the city, the de Young is turning 125 #onthisday! Sharing some of our favorite photos from over the years (or should we say century).
P.S is this what they call a glow-up? #deyoung125 pic.twitter.com/pdgtYWnSPl
— SFMOMA (@SFMOMA) March 25, 2020