Asilomar Conference Grounds Celebrates Centennial Anniversary
Pacific Grove, CA – Jan. 14, 2013 – For Asilomar’s first conference in 1913, 300 young women converged on small town Pacific Grove to the fledgling conference grounds on thirty donated acres. The only structures that existed were the Administration Building, now called the Phoebe Apperson Hearst Social Hall, and the ground’s large granite gates. The rest of the grounds as they stand today were just a vision in architect Julia Morgan’s mind at that time.
From those humble beginnings as the Young Women Christian Association (YWCA) western conference grounds, today stands a premier conference center. Asilomar Conference Grounds, a California State Park unit managed by ARAMARK Parks and Destinations, spans 107 acres with more than 50 buildings, 11 of which are designated National Historic Places.
“From women’s suffrage to global warming policy, Asilomar has been host to many historic conferences in the past 100 years,” says Mairead Hennessy, resident district manager for ARAMARK Parks and Destinations at Asilomar Conference Grounds. “We’re looking forward to another 100 years of ideas, kicking off with the Centennial celebration.”
Asilomar Conference Grounds is celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2013 with a variety of events including lecture series, culinary weekends and a women’s leadership conference, which highlight leadership, community, culinary arts and history. All events are open to the public, reservations and charges may be required. The full Centennial Event Calendar with descriptions can be found here:
January 18-20: Flavor and Adventure Culinary Weekend Winter Camp featuring Canning and Slow Cooking
February 11: Centennial Lunch & Lecture architecture and recent restoration of Asilomar’s historic buildings
February 15: Dinner and a Movie featuring a classic movie filmed on the Monterey Peninsula
March 9: Julia Morgan Passport Tour rare behind-the-scenes look at Asilomar
March 29: 100 Years of Music local musicians perform iconic music from the last century, created by local artist Linda Dryden
April 5-7: Flavor and Adventure Culinary Weekend BBQ Boot Camp highlighting BBQ tradition from Texas to Kansas City, Memphis to Alabama
April 20: Earth Day Event volunteers will receive Monterey Pine seedling
May 13: Centennial Lunch & Lecture on the ecology and wildlife of Asilomar
June 9-12: Women’s Leadership Conference hosted by the International Leadership Association’s Women and Leadership Affinity Group
June 28-30: Flavor and Adventure Culinary Weekend Summer Camp for Foodies featuring garden to table preparations and regional honeys.
July 4-7: Forth of July Reunion Weekend past guests, employees and conference attendees are welcome to return to Asilomar for a weekend of reminiscing.
August 5: Centennial Lunch & Lecture sand dune and coastal Monterey Pine forest restoration
August 31: Asilomar Music, Arts & Sustainable Food Festival Asilomar chefs, local musicians, farmers and crafters will come together for this free event fit for the whole family
October 25-27: Flavor and Adventure Culinary Weekend Crush Celebration including a local harvest of wine, olives and a variety of vinegars
November 28: Annual Thanksgiving Dinner
For more information or to make reservations, visit www.visitasilomar.com or call 888-635-5310. Like us on Facebook for up-to-the-minute news and information.
About Asilomar State Beach and Conference Grounds
Asilomar State Beach and Conference Grounds is managed by ARAMARK Parks and Destinations, an authorized concessioner of California State Parks. It was founded by the YWCA as a young women’s leadership camp in 1913. The 100-year-old site features the largest collection of Julia Morgan-designed buildings in the world, and has been protected as a state park since 1956. The conference grounds host leisure guests and groups of up to 1,000 in historic and newer buildings set among Monterey Pines, steps from the preserved sand dunes and beach.
About ARAMARK Parks and Destinations
ARAMARK Parks and Destinations, a division of ARAMARK, delivers authentic and memorable experiences at national and state parks, national forests, specialty hotels, museums and other tourist destinations throughout the United States. In partnership with its clients, ARAMARK Parks and Destinations seek to enhance the guest experience by offering industry-leading hospitality, environmental stewardship, recreational and interpretive programs. For more information on ARAMARK Parks and Destinations and its properties visit www.aramarkparksanddestinations.com. For up-to-the-minute news and information on this, and other ARAMARK Parks and Destinations locations follow us on Twitter @ARAMARKParks.
