Behind the Scenes | The Hearst Castle, San Simeon

The mission of California State Parks includes the preservation and protection of valuable cultural resources throughout the state. Historic house museums have the additional responsibility of interpreting both the historic structures and their contents. Thus, at Hearst Castle®, employees strive to maintain both the historic structures and the priceless art collection within the Castle for the enjoyment of current visitors and future generations.

Art Treasures

The Curatorial staff works closely with expert conservators to preserve numerous works of art spanning several centuries and representing many artistic styles and media. In addition to state funds, both Friends of Hearst Castle and the Hearst Castle Preservation Foundation dedicate funding for the preservation of Mr. William Randolph Hearst's infinite art collection. Conservators combine state-of-the-art methods and meticulous attention to detail to ensure the conservation of pieces ranging from a 14th century painted wooden ceiling to a 1st century marble sarcophagus.

Historical Structures

Hearst Castle's® Historic Services Department maintains and restores the historic structures on the “Enchanted Hill”. Skilled craftsmen - carpenters, painters, mold shop artists, tile layers, and many others labor to preserve the historic fabric of the buildings while conforming to the National Park Service's "Standards for Rehabilitation." From the tile mosaics in the Roman Pool to the tile roof of Casa Grande, Hearst Castle's® Historic Services Department is preserving the hilltop estate for years to come.

For in-depth information on Heart Castle behind the scenes click on the link below
BEHIND THE SCENES