Asilomar Conference Grounds

Asilomar Conference Grounds is a conference center built for the Young Women's Christian Association (YWCA). It is located east of what was known as Moss Beach on the western tip of the Monterey Peninsula in Pacific Grove, California. Between 1913 and 1929 architect Julia Morgan designed and built 16 of the buildings on the property, of which 11 are still standing.[4] In 1956 it became part of the State Division of Beaches and Parks of California's Department of Natural Resources, and Moss Beach was renamed Asilomar State Beach. Asilomar is a derivation of the Spanish phrase asilo al mar, meaning asylum or refuge by the sea.[5] It is the native homeland of the Rumsen Ohlone people.

Asilomar Conference Grounds
Merrill Hall, Asilomar
Asilomar Conference Grounds is located in Monterey Peninsula
Asilomar Conference Grounds
Location in the Monterey Peninsula
Asilomar Conference Grounds is located in California
Asilomar Conference Grounds
Asilomar Conference Grounds (California)
LocationAsilomar Blvd., Pacific Grove, California
Coordinates36°37′11″N 121°55′53″W
Area9 acres (3.6 ha)
Built1913
ArchitectJulia Morgan
Architectural styleArts and Crafts Movement and American craftsman Bungalows
NRHP reference No.87000823[1]
CHISL No.1052
Significant dates
Added to NRHPFebruary 27, 1987[1]
Designated NHLDFebruary 27, 1987[2]
Designated CHISLJune 20, 2014[3]

History

The annual conference of the YWCA of the Pacific Coast had been held at the Capitola, California hotel through 1911. Probably because they had outgrown the space, and because the YWCA had a goal of purchasing grounds, Phoebe Apperson Hearst hosted the 1912 conference at her Hacienda in Pleasanton, California, with all proceeds of that year's conference going toward the purchase of a permanent home. A resulting YWCA committee persuaded the Pacific Improvement Company of Pacific Grove, California to deed 30 acres (120,000 m2) to the YWCA in 1912. In early 1913 the YWCA announced that Julia Morgan, already at work on the Oakland YWCA building, would design the campgrounds. Construction began in the spring of 1913 and in August 1913 the Social Hall and the lodging Longhouses opened with nearly 300 girls in attendance. Merrill Hall, the last of Morgan's designs for Asilomar, was dedicated in 1928.

Several other prominent California women including Ellen Browning Scripps, Mrs. Warren Olney Jr. and Mary Sroufe Merrill were involved in the creation of the retreat.[6]

The winning entry in the naming contest was by Helen Salisbury, a Stanford student. Her entry created a portmanteau from two Spanish words: Asilo and Mar.

The State of California acquired Asilomar in 1956. John Carl Warnecke designed 7 new buildings to expand the grounds.[7]

Asilomar was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1987 for its role in women's recreation, the development of the YWCA, and the resort nature of nearby Monterey, California.[8][9][10]

Today

The property is officially named "Asilomar State Beach and Conference Grounds", and is owned by California State Parks. It is currently used primarily as a conference center for hire but is also open to individual lodging guests and is frequently used for family reunions and other social events. The grounds are open to the public. From 1956 until 1994 several non-profit corporations managed the conference grounds in cooperation with California State Parks. Delaware North Companies Parks and Resorts operated the park from 1997 to 2007 under a concessionaire agreement.[11] Aramark won a new 20-year operating contract in January 2009 and began operations there in September of that year.

To preserve the rustic atmosphere of the resort, there are no telephones or televisions in any of the rooms. However, Wi-Fi has recently been installed throughout the property.

In October, 2012 construction began to improve Asilomar's accessibility under Americans with Disabilities Guidelines. This includes replacement of several old, worn, and rugged asphalt pathways and the construction of new paths made of brick pavers. Construction work continued into 2014 and included modifications to improve interior access to several rooms as well as the exterior improvements.

Notable conferences

Wayne Dyer's movie, The Shift (2009) was shot at Asilomar State Beach and at the Asilomar Conference Grounds.[14][15]

The 1975 Asilomar Conference has been featured in the PBS documentary The Gene: An Intimate History.

References
  1. "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. July 9, 2010.
  2. "Asilomar Conference Grounds". National Historic Landmark summary listing. National Park Service. Archived from the original on November 14, 2007. Retrieved February 18, 2008.
  3. "Asilomar". Office of Historic Preservation, California State Parks. Retrieved June 20, 2014.
  4. "Julia Morgans influence". Archived from the original on May 11, 2008. Retrieved July 5, 2008.
  5. Robinson, Judith (1991). The Hearsts: an American dynasty. University of Delaware Press. p. 370. ISBN 0-87413-383-1.
  6. Asilomar history
  7. Monterey County. Ailomar Conference Groundsohp.parks.ca.gov Archived December 26, 2022, at the Wayback Machine
  8. "Asilomar Conference Grounds". National Historic Landmarks Quioklinks. National Park Service. Archived from the original on November 14, 2007. Retrieved March 19, 2012.
  9. Charleton, James P. (September 27, 1984). "Asilomar Conference Grounds" (pdf). National Register of Historic Places - Inventory Nomination Form. National Park Service. Retrieved May 19, 2012.
  10. "Asilomar Conference Grounds" (pdf). Photographs. National Park Service. Retrieved May 19, 2012.
  11. "Asilomar State Beach and Conference Grounds: Asilomar Today". Archived from the original on October 15, 2008. Retrieved July 8, 2009.
  12. "Highlights from 50 ENCs" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on March 31, 2014. Retrieved April 30, 2019.
  13. Future of life
  14. "Ambition To Meaning". Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved July 19, 2011.
  15. "The Movie". Archived from the original on February 22, 2014. Retrieved May 14, 2023.
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