Hearst Castle Gift Shop

Designed by Julia Morgan the Hearst Castle is a National Historic Landmark in California, United States of America. The project was initiated by William Randolph Hearst, a magnate in the newspaper industry. Hearst Corporation decided to donate the property in 1957 to the state of California. The mansion contains an impressive art collection that became public in the same time as the estate.

In April 1919 architect Julia Morgan was approached by the young, new owner in order to start a new project.  What began as a bungalow idea rapidly developed into a structure combining many styles. From an initial Japanese and Swiss concept the project turned to a Spanish Revival design. Hearst didn’t come into terms with the crudeness featured by the colonial structure in the state. The Renaissance and Baroque elements seemed to please the magnate. In consequence the architect was asked to take as a starting point for the main building a church located in Ronda.

In 1919 Morgan decided to start the work. The final result combined architectural styles found by the owner in a journey throughout Europe. Some of the numbers related to this estate are: 56 bedrooms, 19 sitting rooms, 61 bathrooms and 127 acres of swimming pools (indoor and outdoor), tennis courts, an airfield, a movie theater and the largest private zoo in the world.

On Hearst Castle.org the visitor can take a virtual tour in this amazing world. Everything you need to know about tours, visits, explore possibilities, history and art collections and theater in on this website. Click after click more and more reasons to pay a visit reveal to the curious eye.

The last important stop has to be made at the Hearst Castle gift shop. This is a hotspot you can not miss. Visual and audio illustrated history of the mansion is available as well as souvenirs for those back home who are on the gift list. You can choose from a variety of interesting items and mementos. Mugs, charms, collectible spots, glassware, sweatshirts, posters and other nice related souvenirs can be purchased on your way out of the estate.

An exclusive offer at the Hearst Castle gift shop is a special one-hour video of the Hearst Castle. This tape features a general overview of the main building, guest houses and surroundings, including here indoor and outdoor swimming pools. The online version of this unique gift shop is not just a copy, a mimic of the real one: it’s a great place to do some online shopping in good conditions. You can purchase fine art reproductions just by clicking.

Hearst  Castle is more than a legendary site; it’s a living museum that takes you back in time. At the gift shop the contact with reality is, let’s say material. It’s important to combine the mental with the material. With or without a red ribbon on top.