Asilomar Conference Grounds
Encyclopedia
Asilomar Conference Grounds is a conference center built for the YWCA
in 1913 at Asilomar State Beach
in Pacific Grove, California
. Julia Morgan
designed and built 16 of the buildings on the property, of which 11 are still standing. It became part of Asilomar State Beach and Conference Grounds in 1955. Asilomar is a derivation of the Spanish phrase asilo al mar, meaning asylum or refuge by the sea.
Several other prominent California women including Ellen Browning Scripps
, Mrs. Warren Olney and Mary Sroufe Merrill were involved in the creation of the retreat.
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 retreat was declared a National Historic Landmark
in 1987 for its role in the development of the YWCA and the resort nature of nearby Monterey, California
Parks and Resorts ran the park from 1997-2007 and spent the decade performing extensive restoration and seismic retrofitting of the historic buildings on the property. Aramark
Parks & Destinations 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, they recently installed Wi-Fi throughout the property.
's movie, Ambition To Meaning (2009) was shot at Asilomar State Beach
and at the Asilomar Conference Grounds.
YWCA
The YWCA USA is the United States branch of a women's membership movement that strives to create opportunities for women's growth, leadership and power in order to attain a common vision—to eliminate racism and empower women. The YWCA is a non-profit organization, the first of which was founded in...
in 1913 at Asilomar State Beach
Asilomar State Beach
Asilomar State Beach is a state park unit of California, USA, providing public access to rocky coast and dune habitat on the Monterey Peninsula. The property includes the Asilomar Conference Grounds, a conference center built in 1913 that is now a National Historic Landmark...
in Pacific Grove, California
Pacific Grove, California
Pacific Grove is a coastal city in Monterey County, California, USA, with a population of 15,041 as of the 2010 census, down from 15,522 as of the 2000 census...
. Julia Morgan
Julia Morgan
Julia Morgan was an American architect. The architect of over 700 buildings in California, she is best known for her work on Hearst Castle in San Simeon, California...
designed and built 16 of the buildings on the property, of which 11 are still standing. It became part of Asilomar State Beach and Conference Grounds in 1955. Asilomar is a derivation of the Spanish phrase asilo al mar, meaning asylum or refuge by the sea.
History
In 1911, the hotel that the Western YWCA leadership had been using for yearly retreats burned down. Phoebe Apperson Hearst hosted the 1912 conference at one of her estates. She persuaded the Pacific Improvement Company to lease 30 acres (121,405.8 m²) to the YWCA in 1912.Several other prominent California women including Ellen Browning Scripps
Ellen Browning Scripps
Ellen Browning Scripps was an American philanthropist who was the founding donor of several major institutions in Southern California.-Biography:...
, Mrs. Warren Olney and Mary Sroufe Merrill were involved in the creation of the retreat.
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 retreat was declared a National Historic Landmark
National Historic Landmark
A National Historic Landmark is a building, site, structure, object, or district, that is officially recognized by the United States government for its historical significance...
in 1987 for its role in the development of the YWCA and the resort nature of nearby Monterey, California
Monterey, California
The City of Monterey in Monterey County is located on Monterey Bay along the Pacific coast in Central California. Monterey lies at an elevation of 26 feet above sea level. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 27,810. Monterey is of historical importance because it was the capital of...
Today
In 1955, the grounds became part of the larger California state park known as Asilomar State Beach and Conference Grounds. The property is currently used as a conference center open to the public. Delaware North CompaniesDelaware North Companies
Delaware North Companies is a global food service and hospitality company headquartered in Buffalo, New York The company operates in the lodging, sporting, airport, gaming and entertainment industries. The company employs over 50,000 people worldwide and has over $2 billion in annual revenues...
Parks and Resorts ran the park from 1997-2007 and spent the decade performing extensive restoration and seismic retrofitting of the historic buildings on the property. Aramark
Aramark
Aramark Corporation, known commonly as Aramark, is an American foodservice, facilities, and clothing provider supplying businesses, educational institutions, sports facilities, federal and state prisons, and health care institutions. It is headquartered at the Aramark Tower in Center City,...
Parks & Destinations 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, they recently installed Wi-Fi throughout the property.
Notable Conferences
- 1975 Asilomar conference on recombinant DNAAsilomar Conference on Recombinant DNAThe Asilomar Conference on Recombinant DNA was an influential conference organized by Paul Berg discussing the potential biohazards and regulation of biotechnology held in February 1975 at a conference center Asilomar State Beach...
- 2010 Asilomar international conference on climate intervention technologiesAsilomar international conference on climate intervention technologiesThe Asilomar International Conference on Climate Intervention Technologies was a conference developed by Dr. Margaret Leinen of the Climate Response Fund and chaired by Dr. Michael MacCracken of the Climate Institute. The conference took place in March 2010 and the recommendations were published in...
In popular culture
Wayne DyerWayne Dyer
Wayne Walter Dyer is an American self-help advocate, author, and lecturer.- Early life :Dyer was born in Detroit, Michigan, to Melvin Lyle and Hazel Irene Dyer and spent much of his adolescence in an orphanage on the east side of Detroit. Dr. Wayne Dyer is a 1958 graduate of Denby High School;...
's movie, Ambition To Meaning (2009) was shot at Asilomar State Beach
Asilomar State Beach
Asilomar State Beach is a state park unit of California, USA, providing public access to rocky coast and dune habitat on the Monterey Peninsula. The property includes the Asilomar Conference Grounds, a conference center built in 1913 that is now a National Historic Landmark...
and at the Asilomar Conference Grounds.