First and foremost, we hope you and your loved ones are well and healthy. We recognize that this is a truly unique and challenging time for everyone. And we want to send our utmost gratitude to everyone who has supported The Foundation at Hearst Castle — in every small and large way — especially over the past year. Thank you!
Hearst Castle Update
While many museums have been given the green light to reopen, Hearst Castle remains closed to the public. State Parks says the historic landmark doesn’t meet the criteria to reopen under the current museum guidelines, as the castle conducts guided tours with multiple households and buses visitors to the hilltop.
Reopening plans are in the works and staff have been working with public health officials on what that might look like. Once open, tours will shift to reservation only.
Following guidance from the California Department of Public Health and local public health authorities, California State Parks will increase public access and services in a phased approach at Hearst Castle®/Hearst San Simeon State Historical Monument®. Before visiting, please review the COVID-19/FAQ tab on the home page.
Updates about the overall Department of Parks and Recreation response to COVID-19, including safety information, are posted on parks.ca.gov. For more information from the San Luis Obispo County Public Health Department click readyslo.org.
When Hearst Castle reopens…
If you are a member of The Foundation at Hearst Castle and have free tours included in your membership, you may email Director of Development Tara Stephenson with preferred tour dates/times and she will coordinate your tour reservations.
If you are not a member, advanced reservations will be required via the Hearst Castle website.
Special Events
We anxiously await the green light to host charity events again at Hearst Castle. One CA State Parks deems it safe to do so, we will communicate broadly to members and fans. If you have an existing reservation to an event at the Neptune Pool, Roman Pool, or Casa del Mar and the theater, you will be given first priority in choosing a new date once availability is confirmed.
We also look forward to rescheduling our members-only annual event at the Hacienda at Fort Hunter Liggett. We will keep you informed as plans unfold.
Thank you for your patience!
Education
Thanks to your wonderful support, we have been able to pivot our in-person education program to a dynamic, multi-day experience including livestream tours, films, and hand-on STEAM curriculum related activities. We are so proud of our STEAM Program at the Castle and thrilled that we’ve been able to inspire and empower hundreds of middle school children despite the “distance learning” environment.
Conservation
In Q1 of 2021, The Foundation at Hearst Castle provided funding for the continued conservation of the 16th Century Spanish ceiling. In Phase I, Part XX, conservation expert Gary Hulbert addressed the perimeter of the south end of the Morning Room.
In addition to supporting major conservation efforts at Hearst Castle, the nonprofit purchased dozens of roses for replanting in the historic gardens. Plus, The Foundation at Hearst Castle recently provided a new full-sized refrigerator for the guide trailer and another for security staff.
New Board Members
The Foundation at Hearst Castle recently elected four new members who will bring a broad range of expertise and insight to our work. These individuals are passionate about our mission — especially to inspire disadvantaged youth — and they will help us to amplify the Castle’s story and engage new partners.
The additions include: Michael Chavez Booth, Schuyler Hoversten, Pilaar Terry, and Nikki Hathaway Wilmore.
Abe Marquez, a longtime Hearst Castle benefactor and youth advocate, will remain president of the board. Retired finance director, Rick Wolfe, will serve as treasurer and retired entrepreneur, Evelyn Plemons, will continue as secretary.
2021 Game Plan
In spite of this year’s unknowns, The Foundation at Hearst Castle will forge ahead with plans to conserve Hearst Castle and restore its invaluable art, as well as to continue our popular virtual education program. If we have the opportunity to invite students to attend the STEAM Program at the Castle in-person, we certainly will; however, teachers and students alike have expressed much gratitude for our unique livestream + STEAM kit activities alternative.
In terms of fundraising, we are not sure when we will be able to host epic swims in the Neptune and Roman Pools, private sunset suppers and movie screenings, or even our popular Twilight on the Terrace tasting event. We hope to see you splashing in the pools by autumn. In the meantime, we’re planning unique virtual events we think you’ll love. Stay tuned!
In regards to memberships, we could not be more grateful for the members who have stood by us during this tough time. Membership is what keeps us afloat. Thank you for your generosity and thanks so much to all of you who reached out just to seeing how we were faring. If you haven’t had a chance to renew your membership, feel free to call or email Director of Development Tara Stephenson. We are happy to assist. All member benefits will be valid through 2022.
During this unconventional year, we are placing more time and focus on grant opportunities, virtual events, corporate partnerships, and corporate matching gift programs. With the help of our incredible new board members, we’ll also communicate more broadly about Hearst Castle’s need for fundraising in general, as well as the planned giving structure we have in place for those who desire to build a legacy at Hearst Castle.
Ways You Can Help
We appreciate that this is a difficult time for everyone. If you’re able to make a donation to our cause, we would appreciate it more than you know. If you can join or continue your membership, that would be great! But there are other ways to help, too:
- Tell your friends about us!
- Choose The Foundation at Hearst Castle as your preferred charity when you shop on AmazonSmile.
- Add The Foundation at Hearst Castle to your company’s Matching Gift Program.
- Call to learn more about Planned Giving opportunities and benefits.
- Let teachers know about the STEAM Program at the Castle.
- Ask local news outlets to feature our education program, our mission, or our history.
We hope this update is helpful and we thank you again for your support. Please reach out to us at any time with questions or concerns, or just to say hi! We will be in touch as we learn more and we hope to see you back on the hilltop soon enough.
We miss you!
