IN HIS OWN WORDS:
I first visited Hearst Castle in 1970, when my California History teacher at Gonzales High, Mr. Smith, organized a tour for a group of students. Born and raised in a small agricultural community, we could not believe that this place was real. Mr. Smith decided to take students every year, so I would sign up annually and go on all the tours (I believe there were only four tours at that time). We all thought Hearst Castle was beautiful and we appreciated that it was rich with history. You can see the world by visiting Hearst Castle.
Fast-forward to 1999: I heard on the radio that there was going to be a celebration at Hearst Castle. A Millennium Party. It sounded like it would be a great time and I knew I had to look into this. That is when I first heard about the nonprofit organization, Friends of Hearst Castle, which was founded in 1985. I became a member and attended several great charity events. What an incredible place to experience as a guest at a party. You cannot beat this — the architecture, the art collection, the gardens, the ocean and historic pier, the pools!! I love this place.
You can see the world by visiting Hearst Castle.
I have made so many friends from attending the events that we have hosted at Hearst Castle, including esteemed board past members who shared their personal Hearst Castle stories of times long ago. I thank them for sharing those great memories with me. I even bumped into old friends at Hearst Castle events who I didn’t know were also members. Small world. Great People. We must keep in touch with them all.
Last spring, we launched our new name, new membership benefits, and new events — including luxe swims in the iconic Neptune Pool. “The Foundation at Hearst Castle” continues to support the conservation of Hearst Castle and works to expand youth education programs for kids from underserved communities around California — kids that are growing up in places like Gonzales, like I did, who won’t otherwise have the chance to see the views from the Hearst Castle hilltop, learn about a woman named Julia Morgan who built this historic treasure 100 years ago, tour the accredited museum, and think about how all this might shape the vision they have for their future selves… Michael Young, our executive director, has been a great help in creating the vision for our new direction. Tara Stephenson, our director of development, has been a great support in the execution of that vision. Thank you both for ALL you do for our foundation.
Left to right: Longtime board members Bob Kitamura and Lisa Adams with current President Abe Marquez at Twilight on the Terrace at Hearst Castle in 2017.
The Foundation at Hearst Castle has funded many conservation and restoration projects over its 35-year tenure. We are in the final stages of a massive painting conservation of the Morning Room ceiling, which has taken a few years. There are other restorations projects that need to be funded — so many that it will keep us busy for a while. Also, we’re working hard to find more support for our new STEAM Program at the Castle. (STEAM is an acronym for Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math.) This is where we bring middle school kids up for a visit to see the Castle and then take them down to the San Simeon bay to learn about sea life.
These kids have never been out of the valley, never seen the Pacific Ocean.
Our first group was from the small farming town of Ivanhoe in the San Joaquin Valley. These kids had never travelled outside of the valley, never seen the Pacific Ocean. Many of them are from farm-worker families that do not have the money or time to visit places like Hearst Castle. Our foundation sponsored their visit, including transportation and a hearty lunch. It was a joy to tag along with the kids that day. They had so much energy and they were amazed to see this huge building and the spectacular gardens. To watch their faces when they saw the pools — let alone the Assembly Room and Refectory — was just amazing. After the tour on the hilltop, the group headed down to the San Simeon beach and pier. They were excited to see the ocean and wanted to touch salt water for the first time in their life. CA State Parks interpreters gave them an engaging marine bio lesson and then talked to the kids one-on-one about their futures. Both the Hearst Castle guides and State Parks interpreters do a great job with inspiring the kids and making them feel special.
I was one of these kids years ago. My parents both worked in fields to feed and clothe our family, so this project is dear to my heart.
This pilot program was so amazing, it made my heart feel great to see these kids enjoy their time here on the Coast. I was one of these kids years ago. My parents both worked in fields to feed and clothe our family, so this project is dear to my heart. I hope that we can continue to find support for our efforts to bring kids from all over the state to see Hearst Castle, to learn about this magnificent place built by pioneering female architect Julia Morgan so many years ago, and to educate these underserved kids about what can be done with education and drive. It will warm your hearts to know that you help one of these kids to discover a bright future and maybe become a future leader one day.
I would like to thank all our members for your generous support of The Foundation at Hearst Castle and I hope that some of our former members will consider coming back. We miss you all and we need each other. I would also like to thank all the volunteers that have helped at all our events over the years. We could not do this without your help! I say THANK YOU!!! You are the greatest!!!
‘Til we see you all again, I wish you all the best and stay safe!!
