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Asilomar Conference Grounds

Coordinates: 36°37′11″N 121°55′53″W / 36.61972°N 121.93139°W / 36.61972; -121.93139
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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 / 36.61972°N 121.93139°W / 36.61972; -121.93139
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[3]
Designated CHISLJune 20, 2014[2]

Asilomar Conference Grounds is a conference center originally built for the Young Women's Christian Association (YWCA). It is located on the western tip of the Monterey Peninsula in Pacific Grove, California, near what was formerly known as Moss Beach. Between 1913 and 1929, architect Julia Morgan designed 16 buildings on the property, 11 of which remain standing today.[4] The area is recognized as the homeland of the Rumsen Ohlone people.

Name

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The conference facilities were originally known as "Guardamar".[5] In 1913, Phoebe Hearst proposed a naming competition, resulting in the selection of "Asilomar." The winning entry was submitted by Helen Salisbury, a Stanford University student, who created a portmanteau from the Spanish words asilo ("refuge") and mar ("sea"). In 1956, Asilomar was incorporated into the California State Parks system, and Moss Beach was renamed Asilomar State Beach after the conference grounds.[6]

History

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The YWCA Pacific Coast conferences were originally held at the Capitola, California hotel until 1911. Following growth in attendance and a desire to establish a permanent location, Phoebe Hearst hosted the 1912 conference at her hacienda in Pleasanton, California. Proceeds from that event were used to secure land for a permanent site. A committee persuaded the Pacific Improvement Company to donate 30 acres (120,000 m2) to the YWCA in 1912. In early 1913, it was announced that Julia Morgan, then engaged with the Oakland YWCA building, would also design the new Asilomar campgrounds in the Arts & Crafts style. Construction began in the spring of 1913, and by August, the Social Hall and Longhouses were completed, hosting 300 girls for the inaugural summer program. Merrill Hall, Morgan’s final design 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.[7]

In 1956, the State of California acquired Asilomar, and architect John Carl Warnecke was commissioned to design seven additional buildings to expand the grounds.[8] Asilomar was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1987 for its role in women's recreation, the development of the YWCA, and the resort heritage of nearby Monterey, California.[9][10][11]

Present Day

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Today, the property is officially known as Asilomar State Beach and Conference Grounds and is operated by California State Parks. While it primarily functions as a conference center, it also welcomes individual guests and is frequently used for social events such as family reunions. The grounds remain open to the public. Between 1956 and 1994, the site was managed by various nonprofit organizations in collaboration with California State Parks. Delaware North Companies operated the facility from 1997 to 2007, after which Aramark took over operations in 2009 under a 20-year contract.[12]

To maintain its rustic charm, the rooms at Asilomar are free of telephones and televisions, although Wi-Fi has been added in recent years.

In 2012, construction began to improve the site's accessibility in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. These renovations, which continued through 2014, included replacing old asphalt pathways with brick pavers and improving accessibility to several buildings.

Notable conferences

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The Asilomar Conference Grounds were featured in the film The Shift (2009) by Wayne Dyer, which was shot on location at Asilomar State Beach.[15][16]

The 1975 Asilomar Conference on Recombinant DNA was prominently featured in the PBS documentary The Gene: An Intimate History.

References

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  1. ^ a b "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. July 9, 2010.
  2. ^ "Asilomar". Office of Historic Preservation, California State Parks. Retrieved June 20, 2014.
  3. ^ "Asilomar Conference Grounds". National Historic Landmark summary listing. National Park Service. Archived from the original on November 14, 2007. Retrieved February 18, 2008.
  4. ^ "Julia Morgan's Influence". Archived from the original on May 11, 2008. Retrieved July 5, 2008.
  5. ^ "Asilomar State Beach and Conference Grounds Visitor Guide" (PDF). California State Parks. Retrieved September 23, 2024.
  6. ^ Robinson, Judith (1991). The Hearsts: An American Dynasty. University of Delaware Press. p. 370. ISBN 0-87413-383-1.
  7. ^ Asilomar history
  8. ^ Monterey County. Asilomar Conference Grounds ohp.parks.ca.gov
  9. ^ "Asilomar Conference Grounds". National Historic Landmarks Quioklinks. National Park Service. Archived from the original on November 14, 2007. Retrieved March 19, 2012.
  10. ^ 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.
  11. ^ "Asilomar Conference Grounds" (pdf). Photographs. National Park Service. Retrieved May 19, 2012.
  12. ^ "Asilomar Today". Archived from the original on October 15, 2008. Retrieved July 8, 2009.
  13. ^ "Highlights from 50 ENCs" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on March 31, 2014. Retrieved April 30, 2019.
  14. ^ Future of life
  15. ^ "Ambition To Meaning". Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved July 19, 2011.
  16. ^ "The Movie". Archived from the original on February 22, 2014. Retrieved May 14, 2023.
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