Sara Holmes Boutelle Papers

Sara Holmes Boutelle, biographer of Julia Morgan, discusses her research on Morgan. [00:00:01] Boutelle states that many people do not realize the Castle at San Simeon is designed by Julia Morgan [00:00:14] The early life of Morgan in Oakland, California [00:00:47] Morgan's experience as a woman in the architectural program at the Ecole des Beaux Arts in Paris [00:01:39] Morgan's first important architectural project in the United States designing a bell tower for Mills College [00:02:28] Morgan's use of local materials to have buildings work in harmony with the landscape [00:02:55] Morgan's employment in reconstructing the Fairmont Hotel after the 1906 earthquake [00:04:35] Her use of skilled craftsmen in Morgan's shingled houses [00:04:58] Typical characteristics of Morgan's designs such as fireplaces and exposed beams [00:05:52] St. John's is an example of eclecticism that combines various styles into something new [00:07:12] Features and details of the King's Daughter's Home in Oakland [00:08:35] The natural qualities of Asilomar on the Monterey Peninsula [00:09:17] Morgan's work building YWCAs that provided urban housing for single women [00:10:42] Features of Morgan's work for the Emmanuel Sisterhood building a residence for young Jewish women [00:11:53] The Honolulu YWCA project that the only project out of state and thus was supervised by mail [00:13:10] The design of Hearst Ranch Headquarters in San Simeon [00:13:32] The design of a combination shop-and-house Morgan designed for one of her favorite craftsmen, Jules Supo [00:14:14] The combination of Californian and European architectural styles in the Chapel of the Chimes in Oakland [00:14:58] The ornate details of the Berkeley City Club as one of Morgan's most impressive buildings [00:16:02] William Randolph Hearst's connection and work with with Julia Morgan [00:16:34] Creating a Bavarian village in Wyntoon for Hearst in Northern California [00:17:09] The construction of the Hearst Castle as a monument for his art collection and center for his media empire [00:17:57] The ornamental designs of the castle [00:18:42] The variety of designs for each of the different buildings at San Simeon [00:19:02] The regal designs of the pools at the castle that reflect Greek and Roman styles [00:19:26] How the back of San Simeon was never finished but it shows how Morgan planned to incorporate Mr. Hearst various european treasures into one design [00:19:58] The small shack that has been left as a tribute to the architect of the building, Julia Morgan [00:20:38] The views from the castle of the surrounding lands [00:20:50] Morgan's vision of San Simeon as a museum and monument rather than a residence [00:21:25] Morgan's honorary degree and recognition of excellence from the University of California

[00:00:01] Wilson introduces Sarah Boutelle and provides her academic credentials [00:00:57] Wilson asks how Boutelle went about gathering information for her book [00:01:40] Boutelle states that she wanted to create a full catalog of all of Morgan's buildings [00:02:38] Boutelle says her biggest sources were the people who came to her her lectures in order to tell of Morgan's buildings or clients that Boutelle was unaware of [00:03:08] Boutelle states that the colleges did not have any courses or information on Morgan [00:03:27] Wilson asks how Boutelle gathered plans and office records since Morgan had most of her records destroyed [00:05:23] Boutelle talks about her 180 degree switch on her opinion of William Randolph Hearst through reading his correspondence with Julia Morgan [00:08:16] Boutelle discusses how she found the photographer for her book, Richard Barnes, after seeing his photographs on the cover of California Alumni magazine [00:09:54] Boutelle discusses the attention given to Bernard Maybach's career and mostly denies sexism as the reason why Morgan was often overlooked as an architect [00:12:11] Boutelle talks about Morgan's output as an architect relative to her contemporaries Bernard Maybach and Frank Lloyd Wright [00:14:48] Boutelle talks about Morgan's professional network that was started with her sorority sisters and Phoebe Hearst [00:16:53] Boutelle discusses Morgan's philosophy of design in residential homes that combined California and European styles as a result of her Beau-Arts training for "the plan" [00:18:46] Boutelle talks about Morgan's credo to be an architect without emphasis on her womanhood, but encouraged her female employees to their architectural licenses to be listed as assistant architects [00:21:00] Boutelle discusses other female architects in the Bay Area at the time and their influences from Oakland and buildings around them [00:22:09] Boutelle discusses the 20th century "social movement" of women's clubs and the funding, building, design of the Berkeley City Club [00:24:21] Boutelle states that one of Morgan's most important contributions was her work providing housing for single women as it tackled a social problem and represented a new kind of urban housing [00:25:32] Wilson thanks Buotelle for her contributions and ends the interview

[00:00:01] Intro song, 'The Rose' by Bette Midler [00:00:06] C. J. says she is excited to talk with Sarah Holmes Boutelle about her new book 'Julia Morgan, Architect' [00:00:39] There is a phone connection interference, and C. J. plays a Michael McDonald song while they correct the error [00:01:17] Boutelle is reconnected with the radio station [00:01:36] Boutelle explains how her fascination with Julia Morgan began when she first visited Hearst Castle [00:02:35] Boutelle admits she has spent 14 years researching the life and work of Julia Morgan [00:03:15] Boutelle explains how the modernist era caused the work of Morgan and other California architects to be overlooked [00:03:48] Boutelle talks about how Morgan worked as an architect and and executive until she was 80 years old [00:04:15] Boutelle denies a myth that Morgan dressed as a man to study at the École des Beaux-Arts and explains Morgan's educational career [00:05:44] Boutelle talks about the number of Morgan's buildings that still remain, emphasizing that many of the major buildings remain although some of the residential houses have been destroyed [00:06:34] Boutelle explains Morgan's decision to include swimming pools and recreational amenities in the YWCAs [00:07:18] Boutelle talks about the diverse styles of the past that Morgan worked into her eclectic designs [00:08:08] Boutelle says most people enjoy Morgan's designs but admits she has heard a complaint about too much public space in the Honolulu YWCA [00:08:48] C. J. and Boutelle talk about the Bavarian style of the Hearst Estate in Northern California (Wintoon) [00:09:25] Boutelle tell talks about the importance of the letters that were written between Morgan and Hearst [00:11:07] Boutelle talks about a celebratory event at Asilomar that she will be speaking at soon [00:11:45] C. J. brings up Boutelle's appearance on Jeremy Graham's Bay Area Backroads [00:12:20] C. J. closes the interview and gives the details of Boutelle's book