The Foundation at Hearst Castle’s Board of Directors typically meets in-person quarterly, plus board members attend various committee meetings, but as a pandemic safety precaution, meetings moved to Zoom in the Spring of 2020. 

In late-August 2021, after everyone had the chance to get vaccinated, the board met in-person for the first time in 17 months! This was the first time that newer board members — Schuyler Hoversten, Pilaar Terry, Nikki Wilmore, and Michael Chavez Booth — all gathered in one location along with President Abe Marquez and Secretary Evelyn Plemons. Treasurer Rick Wolfe was traveling out of state and joined by phone.

To mark the occasion and recognize the hard work and success of this board during these challenging times, the group — along with Executive Director Michael Young and Director of Development Tara Stephenson — held the quarterly board meeting at the Hearst Castle Visitor Center Theater’s conference room, followed by wine tasting and lunch at Hearst Ranch Winery, a private tour of Hearst Castle by the incomparable Jim Allen, and later, a relaxing dinner together in Cambria. 

On the Enchanted Hill, it was fascinating to see various conservation projects in action (from the massive road repair project to the beginnings of the restoration of the indoor Roman Pool ceiling and smaller projects throughout), and to generally revisit and enjoy the remarkable historic landmark that we are so proud to help preserve. We even bumped into esteemed paintings conservator, Gary Hulbert.

We can’t wait for CA State Parks to reopen Hearst Castle to the public. For information on the reopening, keep checking the Hearst Castle website, https://hearstcastle.org/.

Thank you, Board of Directors!