Shakespeare Garden

I took my 11- and 13-year-old sons to the Birth of Impressionism show at the De Young Museum in San Francisco yesterday. My oldest boy actually enjoyed the show.

My youngest son would rather have been water-boarded. “What time is it? What time did we get here? What time are we leaving?”

With his own form of psychological torture, he asked those questions so many times that I felt like I was being water-boarded.

The show was great and it was over all too soon, much to my son’s relief.

Walking back to the car, I noticed a small fenced garden situated next to the Academy of Sciences. I made my boys follow it around with me until we found the entrance.

Written in wrought iron above the entrance were the words “Shakespeare Garden.” It was a relatively small garden, simple and serene.

I strolled through the entrance and along the walkway under a canopy of crabapple trees.

At the rear of the garden was an elegant brick wall embedded with four bronze plaques and places for two more. In the center of the brick wall was a large steel door.

I wondered aloud what was behind the door and my little boy said he thought it was a giant cuckoo clock.

I did a little research online when I got home. The Shakespeare Garden was built in 1928. Behind the steel door is a bronze sculpture created by George Bullock of William Shakespeare. The door to the sculpture is only opened in the presence of parks personnel, due to the threat of vandalism and theft.

There were once six bronze plaques each featuring a quote by Shakespeare relating to the plants in the garden. The other two were stolen.

I have been in this area of the city many times and never noticed the garden before.

It was truly an unexpected and pleasant surprise.

Comments

[Jacqueline]

What a beautiful little spot! Love finding surprises like that in familiar places.

[bird feeders]

Last year, my family and I toured the gardens and found them well worth the trip. We were only going to spend a few hours there and wound up spending the whole day. Great Fun!!

[mary]

What a lovely discovery! :)

[Annie in Austin]

Cool find, Chigiy, but what a shame it must be kept locked. With his knowledge of human nature, Shakespeare might not be surprised that his words were stolen.

Annie at the Transplantable Rose

[chigiy]

Hi Mary,
The garden was indeed a pleasant surprise.

Hi Annie,
I wish I knew when the doors are open, but I couldn't find that information anywhere.