The '' ' Fine Arts Building ' '' , now the de Young Museum , was built in Golden Gate Park to hold the pieces of art that were commissioned for the Midwinter Exposition . The building was designed in a " pseudo – Egyptian Revival style and decoratively adorned with images of Hathor , the Egyptian cow goddess . " The building itself was a brick structure built 50 feet high with a skylit roof supported by iron trusses . After the Midwinter Exposition ended , the Fine Arts Building was made into a free and public museum , having most of the art from the Expo donated by the artists . The Fine Arts Building lasted for 11 years before an earthquake in 1906 ruined the integrity of the original building , which led to a year and a half closure for repairs . In 1929 , four years after de Young 's death , the original Fine Arts building was finally torn down
earthquake in 1906
1906 San Francisco earthquake
California Midwinter International Exposition of 1894