Museum History Interactive Timeline
1891
Founding of Leland Stanford Jr. University and the Leland Stanford Jr. Museum
1894
Leland Stanford Jr. Museum opens to the public
1906
Historic earthquake destroys two-thirds of the building and museum collection
1945
Neglected museum closes
1953
Establishment of Committee for Art, volunteer membership organization
1963
Professor Lorenz Eitner, new chair of the art department, begins museum revival
1985
Establishment of B. Gerald Cantor Rodin Sculpture Garden
1989
Loma Prieta earthquake severely damages museum, which closes to the public
1991
University brings Thomas K. Seligman to Stanford as the John and Jill Freidenrich Director, the 1st full-time directorship
1995
Groundbreaking of new wing and restoration of historic building
watch
Video about the reconstruction of the museum
1999
Revitalized museum reopens as Iris & B. Gerald Cantor Center for Visual Arts
2011
Retirement of Thomas K. Seligman
2012
Connie Wolf begins as the John and Jill Freidenrich Director