The Legion of Honor museum in San Francisco is marking its 100th anniversary with a grand celebration on November 9, 2024. The Centennial Weekend will offer free entry to the museum’s permanent collection and special exhibition Mary Cassatt at Work, along with various festivities including a marching band, ballet performances, hands-on art activities, and more.
This significant occasion will be further elevated by the presence of the Grand Chancellor of the French Legion of Honor, who will be a special
guest. His visit highlights the deep cultural and historical ties between France and the museum, which is a replica of the Palais de la Légion d’Honneur in Paris.
Another key moment in the celebration will be a speech delivered by Amélie Simier, the director of the Rodin Museum, honoring the museum’s rich history and connection to Auguste Rodin’s work. The Legion of Honor holds one of the most important Rodin collections outside of Paris, and the director’s address will celebrate this enduring legacy.
In addition to these distinguished guests, the weekend’s program will feature:
- All Day: Free entry to the permanent collection and Mary Cassatt at Work.
- 11:00 AM: Opening ceremony with a marching band and remarks by Grand Chancelier
- 1-3:30pm: Enjoy complimentary croquembouche by French bakery Tarts de Feybess
- Afternoon: San Francisco Ballet trainees performances, art activities, and screen printing.
- 2:30 PM: Museum Directors conversation on Rodin
- 3:00 PM: Organ concert in the museum’s gallery with SF Ballet performance
The celebration also marks the launch of the new curatorial series, “A Closer Look,” which explores the European paintings collection through artwork highlights and the colorful characters — collectors, directors, and curators — who brought them to San Francisco.
The event is a festive tribute to a century of art, history, and cultural exchange, celebrating the museum’s impact on San Francisco and its ongoing role as a bridge to European art.
For more details on this extraordinary weekend, visit the Legion of Honor website.
