The Foundation at Hearst Castle is thrilled to welcome back to the board of directors Ms. Evelyn Plemons, who will serve again as secretary.
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Join Now Become a Member Give a Gift Make a Donation Buy Tickets Attend an Event The Foundation Our History & Mission For almost 35 years, The Foundation at Hearst Castle (formerly Friends of Hearst Castle) has supported the conservation and restoration of “La Cuesta Encantada” through membership opportunities and special events, always aiming to inspire and empower future generations of visionaries. Learn More Illuminate and inspire our next generation of visionaries YEARS IN OPERATION 34 PRESERVATION PROJECTS 32 CHILDREN INSPIRED ANNUALLY 2,500 Become a Member Membership Has Its Benefits A membership with The Foundation at Hearst Castle supports the expansion of inspirational youth programs and an endowment for a full-time conservator, while providing members with exclusive benefits like complimentary Castle tours, popular event tickets, and coveted pools swims. JOIN TODAY Upcoming Events Recent Press Sponsors & Partners Your Support Means The World! Members $1000 Members $1500 Members $2500 Members $5000 Kathy & Jack Hoagland, Barbara Funk, Frank Blazic, Jennifer Southward, George & Kristi Donati, Amanda Ruple, Marilouise Zager, Nigel & Connie Buxton, Jane Woodcock, John & Anette Romans, Cyndee Howard, David & Lynda Nath, Thomas O. McCarthy, Michael Young, Kristin Rasmussen, Mark Hucek Angie YoungEric ShannonSophie Korte, Mark McGuire, Patricia Todd, Victoria Graves SUPPORT THE FOUNDATION, AND INSPIRE FUTURE GENERATIONS TO DREAM BIG!Join Now
About WIP
A Museum Like No Other The estate popularly known as Hearst Castle is a National Historic Landmark and California Historical Landmark located on the Central Coast of California, about 250 miles north of Los Angeles. It was designed by architect Julia Morgan between 1919 and 1947 as a residence for William Randolph Hearst, who died in 1951. Hearst Corporation deeded the estate to California in January 1958 and Hearst San Simeon State Historical Monument® opened to the public that summer. The Castle serves as the key economic engine of the Central California Coast. Since then, the estate, and its considerable collection of art and antiques, has been open for public tours. Despite its location far from any urban center, the Castle welcomes around 700,000 visitors annually, making it a top tourist destination in California. Sustaining the Legacy Established in 1985, The Foundation at Hearst Castle (formerly called Friends of Hearst Castle) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit cooperating association affiliated with Hearst San Simeon State Historical Monument® and the San Luis Obispo Coast District of California State Parks. Through membership and fundraising, The Foundation supports educational, interpretive, and preservation programs for Hearst Castle and California State Parks. Through the Foundation, businesses, philanthropic organizations, and individuals can provide support and engagement with Hearst Castle. We provide membership opportunities, educational programs, and special events with the goal of enhancing understanding and appreciation, thereby enriching the visitor experience. Video – Our Mission: Preservation Video – Conservation of Hearst Castle Video – Julia Morgan: Hearst Castle Architect & Artist Key Initiatives Expand Educational Programs Illuminating and inspiring our next generation of visionaries and builders through science, technology, engineering, art, and math. The Foundation strives to give California middle school students from underrepresented communities an inspirational environment in which they can imagine the opportunity to realize their own dreams through the knowledge of STEAM and first-hand experience of jobs associated with the curriculum. Hearst Castle provides such and environment. Pioneering architect Julia Morgan—born January 20, 1872 in San Francisco, California, U.S. and died February 2, 1957—built Hearst Castle with the most advanced construction methods of her time. In spite of its Old World sensibility, the variety of disciplines required to construct one of the great treasures required to construct one of the great treasures of California proves contemporary even in today's world. The goal of the Foundation is to enlighten and challenge each student to assess his or her strengths, and to open their eyes to new possibilities, opportunities, and careers. The pilot program provides participating schools and organizations with tools to sharpen and refine each student’s unique aptitudes through the tangible applications of STEAM subjects, sparking interest and connection to Hearst Castle forever. Learn more about STEAM education Fund Full-Time Conservation Staff The lack of a full-time conservation staff hinders a coherent strategy to address the critical and immediate restoration needs of Hearst Castle. The Castle's 25,000 works of fine and decorative art need attention so that they can continue to inspire, educate, and delight more than 700,000 visitors expected each year at Hearst Castle. The Foundation at Hearst Castle has undertaken a number of conservation projects [...]
