Hearst Castle® & Hearst San Simeon State Historical Monument

Hearst Castle PORTS Program

Primary (5 to 8 years old), Elementary (9 to 12 years old), Middle School (13 to 15 years old), High School (16 to 18 years old), Adults, Post-Secondary

Teacher/Educator, Museum Staff

Design, Cultures, Social Studies, Visual Arts, US History, World History, Arts, Other : Architecture

Hearst Castle’s history begins in 1865, when miner George Hearst purchased 40,000 acres of ranchland. William Randolph Hearst, George's only son, inherited thousands of acres around San Simeon after his mother's death in 1919, and over time, he purchased more. The spread eventually encompassed about 250,000 acres. With architect Julia Morgan, Hearst conceived a retreat in 1920 he called La Cuesta Encantada—Spanish for “The Enchanted Hill." By 1947, when Hearst had to leave the remote location because of his fragile health, the estate was still unfinished, even though it comprised 165 rooms and 123 acres of gardens, terraces, pools and walkways—all built to Hearst’s specifications and showcasing a legendary art collection.

This great museum is filled with Egyptian, Greek, and Roman antiquities—along with Old Master European paintings, sculptures, and decorative art; Chinese and Near Eastern art; and about thirty historic carved and painted ceilings from Renaissance Italy and Spain. Dozens of Art Deco items round out this astonishing collection.

Hearst Castle® & Hearst San Simeon State Historical Monument's collections

Greco-Roman Connections at Hearst Castle

At Hearst Castle we have statues from many periods in history. William Randolph Hearst was an avid art collector, but he couldn’t always purchase the statues he wanted here at the Hilltop. If William Randolph Hearst couldn’t purchase the statue he wanted, he would often have a sculptor create a reproduction of that statue. This collection will show the statues that may have been the inspiration of the copies of statues located at Hearst Castle.

Hearst Castle® & Hearst San Simeon State Historical Monument

An Introduction to William Randolph Hearst

Using provocative newspaper headlines and illustrations, exaggerated storylines and compelling narratives, the publisher William Randolph Hearst influenced the American public for over 50 years. He controlled a media empire during the first half of the 20 th Century that comprised daily newspapers, radio stations, syndicated features, and a movie production company. At the height of his power in 1930, it’s estimated that at least one in five Americans who read a Sunday newspaper read a Hearst paper. Hearst’s philosophy was that not only did his newspapers report the news, but they also MADE the news. His media coverage of news events reflected and amplified his opinions and passions. A complex and controversial man, William Hearst had an intense interest in politics, and served as a congressman in New York for two terms in the early 1900s. He even contended for the Democratic nomination for president in 1904. Though he failed in that attempt, he exerted more influence upon public opinion through his media than was possible by most politicians. Due to his mother’s influence, William Hearst was also an avid art collector who eagerly bought European art, especially after World War One, when the continent was rebuilding. He built numerous palatial estates that showcased his art collection, the most famous being Hearst Castle, a State Historical Monument in California.

Hearst Castle® & Hearst San Simeon State Historical Monument

Famous Guests of William Randolph Hearst at Hearst Castle

William Randolph Hearst was a gracious and generous host at his estate located in San Simeon, California. He called it The Ranch, San Simeon, or La Cuesta Encantada. Today it is a California State Park, and it is known to us as Hearst Castle. He invited Famous guests that included scientists, writers, politicians, sports figures, and the famous Hollywood crowd to his estate. It was really something to be invited to his property in San Simeon. Guests rarely turned down the opportunity if they were invited.

Hearst Castle® & Hearst San Simeon State Historical Monument

Ancient Civilizations Through the Art of Hearst Castle

Adapted From <a data-v-18e7a463="" href="https://learninglab.si.edu/collections/ancient-civilizations/8AcIWXhl7TSPDrzu#r">Ancient Civilizations</a> Last Modified April 03, 2021 Description William Randolph Hearst was a wealthy media mogul who developed a love of art at a young age. His father was a successful miner and his mother was an art collector and generous philanthropist. After his mother took him on a year-and-a-half-long tour of Europe when he was 10 years old, he developed a lasting love of art and antiquities. He collected original works of art as well as copies all throughout his life. He wrote Julia Morgan, the architect of Hearst Castle, a letter in 1927 that stated he saw no reason why San Simeon could not become a museum of the finest things he could secure. His dream became a reality in 1957 when his estate in San Simeon, California was gifted to the State of California. Hearst Castle has many fine examples of Egyptian, Greek, and Roman art. In this unit, you will see some of the antiquities and copies he purchased during his lifetime. You will also be able to take a look at the history behind the art in his collection. Each slide/image will appear with the yellow paperclip icon. This will include extra info, questions, or hotspots. Hit the "i" icon on each slide to read information about the image. After reading the information and observing the slides, students will be able to evaluate primary and secondary sources while gathering information for their research and presentations. Also listed are some activities from<a href="http://pz.harvard.edu/thinking-routines"> Project Zero</a>, a research group from Harvard Graduate School of Education whose focus is learning through the arts. They have developed simple activities that encourage careful observation, promote thoughtful interpretations, stimulate curiosity, and set the stage for inquiry. Below are a few "Thinking Routines" which are a set of questions or a brief sequence of steps used to scaffold and support student thinking. "See – Think -Wonder" This routine encourages students to make careful observations and thoughtful interpretations. It helps stimulate curiosity and sets the stage for inquiry by asking students to consider the following questions: <ol><li>What do you see?</li><li>What do you think about that?</li><li>What does it make you wonder?</li></ol> (Students can write down their answers on paper or share orally with a partner.) "Ten Times Two" This routine helps students slow down and make careful observations about the art. Ask students to think about words or phrases to describe the work and encourage students to push beyond the first observation and look again. <ol><li>Look at the image.</li><li>List 10 words or phrases about what you see.</li><li> Look again and try to add 10 more words or phrases to your list.</li></ol> "Apples to Apples" This routine allows students to observe closely the images in this unit from the castle. Students are able to include their own experience in deciding which words best describe the art. <ol><li>Go through the images in this unit and pair together what word best describes each image: balance, grandeur, power, happiness, teamwork, security, equality, inspiration, compassion, serenity, symmetry, splendor, movement, and athletics. </li></ol> "Beginning, Middle, End" This routine uses the power of narrative to help students make observations and encourages them to use their imagination to elaborate on and extend their ideas. Its emphasis on storytelling also encourages students to look for connections, patterns, and meanings. Choose one of these questions: If this artwork is the beginning of a story, what might happen next? If this artwork is the middle of a story, what might happen before? What might be about to happen? If this artwork is the end of a story, what might the story be? Keywords: Egyptian goddess, Egyptian New Kingdom, diorite, Sekhmet, Sun god Ra, sarcophagus, muses, tapestries, Guilio Romano, Scipio, Carthaginians, Second Punic War, Corinthian capital, Doric capital, Ionic capital, entablature, pediment, temple, Apollo, Artemus, Hephaestus, attributes, lyre, Carrara marble, Discobolus, Amphora, Greek vessel, King Tutankhamen, Queen Hatshepsut, Queen Nefertiti, Pharaoh Akhenaten, solar disk, monotheism, polytheism, Roman baths, composite, Europa, Zeus, Talos, Laelaps, 18th Dynasty, 19th Dynasty, lagobolon, plectrum, kithara, griffin, aguila, eagle. <ol></ol> <ul></ul> . ©Hearst Castle®/CA State Parks. May not be reproduced without advance written permission from Hearst Castle

Hearst Castle® & Hearst San Simeon State Historical Monument

Hearst Castle Unsung Heroes

Hearst Castle may have been William Randolph Hearst’s dream, but it would not be the place it is today without the people who worked on his estate at San Simeon. Many of the workers and craftsmen immigrated from different countries, such as Italy, Mexico, Switzerland, China, and the Philippines to name a few. Watch and listen to the Hearst San Simeon State Historical Monument (Hearst Castle) Guides as they share the stories of many of the workers and craftsmen who were employed by William Randolph Hearst. William Randolph Hearst was a wealthy media mogul who developed a love of art from a young age. His father was a successful miner, and his mother was an art collector and generous philanthropist. After his mother took him on a year-and-a-half-long tour of Europe when he was 10 years old, he developed a lasting love of art and antiquities. He collected original works of art as well as copies all throughout his life. He wrote Julia Morgan, the architect of Hearst Castle, a letter in 1927 that stated he saw no reason why San Simeon could not become a museum of the finest things he could secure. His dream became a reality in 1958 when his estate in San Simeon, California was gifted to the State of California. Hearst Castle has many fine examples of Egyptian, Greek, and Roman art. In this unit, you will see some of the antiquities and copies he purchased during his lifetime. You will also be able to take a look at the history behind the art, from his collection. Keywords: Jules Suppo, Master Wood Carver, Marks H. Eubanks, Francisco Estrada, Don Pancho, Hazel McClure, Walter Huber, Lorenzo Cardini, Sephen Miletin, Joseph Giarritta, Ann Miller, Ed Trinkkeller, Iron worker & artist, Ralph MacDonald, Projectionist, Leon & Zel Bordegara, Laundry & Dry Cleaning Service, Norman Rotanzi, Camille Solon, Nigel Keep Jung Yeong Louis, Thaddeus Joy, Architect, Hector Serbaroli Warren McClurre, Draftsmen, Alfred Gomes & Maria Celeste, Tapestry Repair, Frank Lorenz, Wood Carver, Alex Rankin, Hearst Castle Plumber, Wilfred Lyons, Gladwin Read, Telephone Operators Hearst Castle, Steve Zegar Taxi Service, Dalmacio "Dally" Carpio, Dally Carpio, Theo & John Vanderloos, master plasterer, Hearst Castle Taxi Service, Unsung Heroes, Electrical Engineer,

Hearst Castle® & Hearst San Simeon State Historical Monument

Julia Morgan and STEAM

William Randolph Hearst approached Julia Morgan early in the spring of 1919 with the idea of building a “little something” on the hill. Together, Hearst and Morgan embarked on a 28-year construction project, building a home that would rise up four stories from that remote hilltop location in the Santa Lucia Mountains. Standing 1600 feet above sea level and overlooking the Pacific Ocean, Hearst Castle, now a California State Park, continues to exist as an engineering and architectural marvel designed by California's first licensed woman architect, Julia Morgan. Source: Hearst Castle/California State Parks. May not be reproduced without advance written permission from Hearst Castle Photo Archives. 730-102.

Hearst Castle® & Hearst San Simeon State Historical Monument

Mythology

William Randolph Hearst's art collection included many mythological statues. The myths of the ancient Greeks and Romans touched on many themes such as heroism, love, goodness, betrayal, envy, and vengeance. Myths surrounding gods and goddesses provided an explanation for puzzling natural phenomena such as why we have seasons, earthquakes, etc., but they also served a religious function. Gods and goddesses gave an order to the universe. People would pray for help to certain gods or goddesses hoping they would intercede on their behalf in times of need. Nearly every aspect of nature and human life fell under the domain of one or more gods or goddesses. Here are a few examples of Greek gods (the Roman equivalents are in parentheses): <ul><li>Athena (Minerva) for war, wisdom, and courage</li><li>Demeter (Ceres) for an abundant harvest</li><li>Artemis (Diana) for a successful hunt</li><li>Ares (Mars) for military might</li><li>Hermes (Mercury) for aid to travelers</li><li>Poseidon (Neptune) for a safe sea voyage</li><li>Zeus (Jupiter) for justice</li><li>Aphrodite (Venus) for love</li><li>Apollo for inspiration for music, dance, and poetry, and for skill with archery </li></ul> ____________________________________________________________________________ Academic Vocabulary You will encounter these words and phrases as you explore the Hearst Castle Mythology Unit. Allegory - Explaining an abstract or spiritual meaning using pictures with characters and/or events. Antiquity - Relating to ancient times. In this collection, antiquities refers to objects created in ancient Egypt, Greece, and Rome. Art Deco - Art and architecture that combined modern style, geometric patterns, and streamline designs. Attributes - An object associated with or belonging to a person or character. B.C.E./C.E. - A more recent way to refer to historical dates. B.C.E. refers to the period before the Common Era, also referred to as before the birth of Christ (B.C.). C.E. (Common Era) refers to dates after the birth of Christ, also referred to as A.D. (anno domini " in the year of the lord"). Beaux-Art style -A popular style of art and architecture in the late 19th and early 20th century which combined classical elements with Gothic and Renaissance elements and motifs. This style originated from the prestigious Ecole de Beaux-Art school in Paris. Beaux-Arts style buildings are often highly decorated, symmetrical, and grand in scale. Carrara Marble - A type of white or blue-grey marble from the city of Carrara, Italy. This type of marble has been popular with sculptors and builders for thousands of years. Conservation - To preserve and protect artifacts (objects, art, buildings, etc.). Gilt or Gilded - Covered with a thin layer of gold.. Lyre - A small U-shaped harp with strings used in ancient Greece. Neoclassical - A movement originating in Europe that drew inspiration from classical Greek and Roman art and ideas. Mount Olympus - At 9,570 feet, Mount Olympus is the tallest mountain in Greece. In Greek Mythology, Mount Olympus was considered to be the home of the gods and the site of the throne of Zeus. It was from Mount Olympus that the Greek gods presided over the world. Relief - A relief is a sculpture in which three-dimensional elements are raised from a flat surface. Tondo - Renaissance term for a circular work of art, either a painting or a sculpture. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Suggested Questions, Activities, and Projects REMEMBER <ol><li>Name the gods who lived on Mount Olympus?</li><li>Choose 5 words from the academic vocabulary list and draw a picture of the word next to it.</li><li>If you found a lyre and a round hat, which god would you return it to?</li><li>Provide three examples of when a god became angry.</li></ol> UNDERSTAND <ol><li> In your own words, how did the Greek gods and goddesses help people understand their daily lives? </li><li> Make a Venn diagram comparing/contrasting Zeus (Jupiter) and Poseidon (Neptune).</li><li> What are the characteristics of Hera (Juno), wife of Zeus (Jupiter)?</li><li> Eros (Cupid) could be a little mischievous. If you were his lawyer, how would you defend him?</li></ol> APPLY <ol><li> What do you think Athena's (Minerva) home would look like if she lived in modern times?</li><li> If Athena (Minerva) was the supreme god rather than Zeus (Jupiter), how would things be different in Greek mythology?</li><li>Assign a god/goddess from Greek mythology to look out after each of your family members or friends and explain why you chose that specific god or goddess to protect your family member or friend.</li><li>Many of the gods were jealous of each other. If you were in charge, what strategy would you use to remedy this jealousy?</li></ol> ANALYZE <ol><li>Why do you think the gods were so jealous of each other? </li><li>Choose your favorite Greek myth and perform a short play.</li><li> What do you think would have happened if Apollo had caught Daphne? Continue on with the story with Apollo's capture of Daphne. Write the next chapters.</li><li> What were Zeus' motives in the gifts that he gave Europa? </li></ol> EVALUATE <ol><li>Why do you think snakes are not held in such high esteem as they once were?</li><li>In your opinion, make a list of the gods in order of importance. Explain why.</li><li>Point out to Eros (Cupid) how he could use his powers in a more positive way.</li><li>If a famous sculptor was going to create a great statue of a god or goddess today, what type of material do you think he/she would use?</li></ol> CREATE <ol><li>Create a classroom museum on Greek mythology. Designate certain groups or individuals to become experts in certain areas and create displays. Invite others into your classroom to visit or create a Learning Lab museum with your collections.</li><li>Create a board game using the Greek and Roman gods. Design the figures who can progress around the board by doing certain deeds. Design the board, rules, game cards, etc.</li><li> Make up a set of cards using the attributes of the gods. Make another set of flashcards with the names of the gods. Have a partner match them up.</li><li> Write down certain characteristics of each god. Create a game where you have to "Name That God".</li></ol> We at Hearst Castle hope you enjoy this unit on mythology and find the information, images, suggested questions, and activities useful and fun. Our goal is that this unit will inspire students and foster a desire to dig a little deeper into the world of mythology.

Hearst Castle® & Hearst San Simeon State Historical Monument

Hearst Castle® & Hearst San Simeon State Historical Monument

Hearst Castle® & Hearst San Simeon State Historical Monument's collections

Share Learning Lab Collection

Add this collection to your site

Share Learning Lab Collection

Add this collection to your site

Share Learning Lab Collection

Add this collection to your site

Share Learning Lab Collection

Add this collection to your site

Share Learning Lab Collection

Add this collection to your site

Share Learning Lab Collection

Add this collection to your site

Share Learning Lab Collection

Add this collection to your site

Share Learning Lab Collection

Add this collection to your site