It was another packed house to see the latest presentation from our own "Vickies", historian and author Victoria Kastner and senior photographer Victoria Garagliano.

This time the focus was on W.R. Hearst's ancient and medieval art collections.  We saw some beautiful photos by V.G. along with some vintage photos and learned some fascinating new information derived from lectures V.K. presented this year at the Ringling Museum in Sarasota, FL; the Evergreen Estate at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, MD; and at the Getty Villa in Malibu.  Victoria also made the interesting connection between Getty and Hearst.

The hour presentation was video taped and DVD copies are available for checkout at the WRH Guides' Research Library.

Below are a couple of photos taken and shared courtesy of Constance Gordon.

On Wednesday, November 3rd, art conservator Gary Hulbert gave us an in-depth look at the restoration of not just the Billiard Room ceiling project, but ALSO the new Morning Room restoration project.  We saw some dramatic photos as Gary talked about what was behind these projects, what his challenges were and why these projects are so important to the future of Hearst Castle.  We saw some unbelieveable before and after photos and came away with a better understanding of this part of the restoration and upkeep of the Monument.

The program was put to video and in the next few weeks we hope to have a couple of DVD's in the Library for checkout.

Thanks to all who attended.  And thanks, Gary, for an amazing peak behind the scenes!

Stand by.  As soon as pictures and feedback arrive, your webmaster will post the results of our HGA Daytrip to Filoli.

On the left is Chuck Raysbrook.  Charles is the son of Conchita Chapman Raysbrook and grandson of Charles Chapman and Princess Conchita Sepulveda Chapman Pignatelli.

On the right is Doug Ellis who is married to Chuck's sister, Herlinda Raysbrook Ellis.

We were honored to have you gentlemen here!  Thank you very much for taking time to join us.

For those of you who missed this presentation or would like to see it again, there will be two DVD copies of this complete presentation in the Guides Research Library available for check-out on or before Wednesday, Oct 20th.  All photos shown and audio tracks played at the live presentation will be included in the DVD.

The HGA thanks you for your support and attendance!

In our final HGA sponsored program before the summer break, Dennis Judd provided HGA members and friends with a look at what his 3 unit class at Cuesta College covered.  In his class, Dennis talked about the San Simeon Region: From Ragged Point on the north, to Harmony on the south, to the Santa Lucia Mountains on the east.  We learned how various peoples through many time periods managed the landscape, employed the resources and how those practices interacted and changed over time.  The story started with the Native Americans and continued through the present.

Some of the many areas touched on were the Cambria Forest, the Mission and Rancho periods, Quicksilver Mining, Chinese and Japanese Kelp and Abalone harvests, the Hearst Ranch, the building of Highway One and much more.  Our area is rich with history and Dennis Judd helpd bring it alive!

The only thing Larry Crawford regrets about the evening was that we really didn't even get to all the photos of Marion Davies, the Beach House and Wyntoon!  He showed examples of items collected about WRH and related to some of his activities.  There were MANY photos we looked at about the family and many never-before-seen shots of the Castle and the gardens.  Also, shots of the zoo animals and the bunk houses for the workers behind the Castle.  These were from a collection taken by Charles Hartman, who was a grounds keeper around 1928-32.  We also looked at (and handled) a series of original turn-of-the-century photos of the Hacienda at Pleasanton, plus an original photo of Phoebe signed by the photographer and dated 1898.

Oh yes.  There's more.  Like he said... it's a disease!

An Evening with George Hearst at the Hearst Theater Lobby, Wednesday 12 May 2010, really did make us feel as though we had witnessed an interview with this legendary, gentle man.  The HGA Board wishes to thank Guide Jeff Schultz for a fantastic and memorable performance and evening as he brought us the persona of George Hearst.

If you missed this HGA event, a DVD of the evening is available for check out in our Hearst Research Library.

Again, THANK YOU Jeff, for a very special evening!

It was a lot of fun for everyone who was able to go "off road" on this year's Hearst Ranch tour with our Chief Guide, Ranch Operations Manager, Cliff Garrison.  It was the peak of the wildflower season and beautiful vistas were everywhere!  To be able to see what's behind some of those hills out there, even to see the Hilltop from a different perspective and angle, was revealing.  Cliff told many stories of Ranch operations and gave us an insight into why George Hearst decided to buy and work this ranch land so many years ago.  It is amazing to think that this land has been continuously worked by the Hearst family since 1865.  The tour ended at the Dairy Barn which has been converted into a very nice and rustic event hall.  The building was moved to its current location and renovated.  There we were treated to some very tasty snacks of Hearst Grass Fed Beef and other special treats.  Thanks to Cliff and his able crew!  The food was delicious and we all are grateful for our look at Hearst Ranch.  In addition, we received information about the new Hearst Ranch venture... Wine!  The Hearst Tasting Room in Old Sebastian's Store is now open for tasters to sample the several ventages being offered by Hearst Ranch, produced and bottled by Hearst Winery, Paso Robles.  Because privacy is every bit as important to the operation of Hearst Ranch today as it was in WRH's day, a reminder to all who took pictures that Cliff asked that still photos be used for personal purposes only and not be placed on the Internet.

We now have a much better understanding of how the Ranch operates and are armed with up-to-date information to answer our guests questions.  We had a great time.  Thank you very much, Cliff!

What a great trip!  50 members and non-members were at the Mission and 49 came to lunch at the restaurant.  Your HGA Board says a big THANK YOU to all who could make it on this trip.  We appreciate your response and involvement.

HGA Secretary Bohdi Hodges has more details:

With a group this size we were able to make a significant donation to the Parish.  They were grateful.  Our guide, John Warren, was able to provide us with some valuable Hearst related information along the way.  I'd like to send a special thank you to Debbie Donaldson and Denise Surber.  Debbie was there when I needed her to help with the money as members paid, and Denise recommended the Tenth Street Basque Cafe for lunch.  Hats off to you both!  And our chef and host, Dallas Holt, was pleased to have such a "rowdy and fun" bunch at the Cafe!

If you would like a fun place to take your family and friends next time they're in town, here are the specifics, which will be kept in this What We've Done archive.

• Tenth Street Basque Cafe
• 249 Tenth Street, San Miguel
• Call 805-467-3141

We'd also like to spread a few more words of appreciation around.  As you click on the Photo Album page below, you will see photos from our trip.  These have been graciously supplied by photographers Patti Rowe and Brian Griffin.  And of course there are many more individuals on the HGA Board who worked on various parts of our February trip to make it successfully fun.  A big THANK YOU to you all!

Now, enjoy some of those photos.  By the end of the month, we hope to have the DVD of the Mission tour and an extra CD enclosed of all the photos from Patti and Brian.  This will be available for checkout.  Enjoy!