Mar 02 2009
Model trains roll through a recycled landscape at the Conservatory of Flowers
The Conservatory of Flowers is known for its beautifully restored wood and glass building and its tropical plants.
Now, it’s also temporarily known for its model trains.
One room of the Conservatory has been set aside for a special exhibit of model trains rolling through a landscape dotted with models of San Francisco landmarks.
What makes the exhibit special is that all the landmarks are all built out of recycled “found” materials. It’s very cleverly done. At first glance, you may not notice anything unusual, but then you are likely to do a double take as you start to see what the models are made of.
For example, the Golden Gate Bridge model uses strings of beads for the cables, the Transamerica building is made of computer keyboard keys and floppy discs, and Coit Tower is made of miniblind slats, tape measures, and plumbing supplies. My favorite model, the Ferry Building, uses forks, spoons, and chopsticks; a cheese grater for the base of the tower with an oven timer as the clock; and scrabble tiles to spell out “Port of San Francisco” on top.
My blogging buddy Jodapoet has lots of pictures on her blog.
The special exhibit runs through April 19, 2009.
The Conservatory is free on the first Tuesday of every month, so there are two more opportunities to see the train room for free: tomorrow (March 3) and April 7.
If you can’t make it on a free Tuesday, the regular admission price is $5.00. Hours are 9 am to 4:30 pm, Tuesday through Sunday (closed on Mondays).
More information:
Conservatory of Flowers “Golden Gate Express” exhibit
Conservatory of Flowers phone: 415-666-7001
More information on all the places — six museums, in addition to the Conservatory — that are free on the first Tuesday of every month: Free First Tuesdays
Photograph of the front of the Conservatory of Flowers (c) J. Ash Bowie, via Wikipedia
