This is our first museum. The land and the money for the building were gifts to the Academy from James Lick, who is also remembered through the Lick Observatory on Mount Hamilton. Included three outdoor pools which held sea lions, seals and river otters over the years. 1934 - Simson African Hall. Academy administrative offices were located upstairs.
Courtyard now contains only one pool.
Last courtyard mammal pool is removed. The Eastwood Hall of Botany now contains the Gary Larson exhibit and the Livermore Room is part of the Education Department. 1976 - Wattis Hall and Wattis Gallery. Upper floors of Wattis Hall house the Entomology Department and Botany Department. They are now jointly known as the McBean-Peterson Gallery, and contain the Life Through Time exhibit.