Design/Build

Hearst Castle

Owner Name:
State of California, Parks Department
Work commissioned by nonprofit organization Friends of Hearst Castle
City /County Location:
San Simeon, California

Project Description:

Complete restoration and rewiring of the exterior lighting system of the historic Hearst Castle, originally designed by architect Julia Morgan and built by William Randolph Hearst throughout the 1930s and 1940s. The restoration project included replacement of deteriorating lighting and electrical wiring systems throughout the castle and surrounding gardens. This project enabled the State to offer the very popular Evening Sunset Tours at night.

Special Feature or Interesting Aspects of Project:

Restoration work on statues and other historic structures was performed to National Park Services "Standards of Rehabilitation". These standards require a meticulaous attention to detail and delicate care was not to harm artifacts that were being restored.

Thoma Electric worked extensively with museum curatorial staff to remove finishes and conceal raceways to restore "Hermes" statues, marble posts and marble "swan lights" with energy efficient lighting. Additionally, Thoma Electric discretely placed supplemental lighting for vistor safety where necessary.

Company president, Bill Thoma, donated his engineering time throughout the course of the project and was recognized with the presentation of a replica statue for the highest contribution to the project's success.

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