Victoria Kastner was Hearst Castle’s official historian for more than twenty years, during which time she wrote the definitive trilogy on its history: Hearst Castle: The Biography of a Country House. Her latest book is Julia Morgan: An Intimate Biography of the Trailblazing Architect. This is the first volume to reveal the story of Morgan’s private life—which was as remarkable as the career she forged as the world’s most prominent female architect. She was the first woman admitted to study architecture at the Ecole des Beaux-Arts in Paris and the first licensed to practice architecture in California. Over the first half of the twentieth century, she left an indelible mark on the American West. Of her remarkable 700 creations, the most iconic is Hearst Castle. Kastner spent years compiling photographs, interviews, letters, drawings, and diaries—including material never published before—to create the first truly comprehensive portrait of this amazing woman. The book features over 150 photographs, including both fascinating archival images and beautiful, full-color contemporary shots of Morgan's buildings. By exploring both Morgan's work and her life, Kastner weaves a captivating tale about courage, vision, and resilience. This series is made possible by a generous gift from the Rancho Mirage Writers Festival Foundation. ... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dlh2o9yj6Pk

Aerial Video and Photography of the construction phase of the Rancho Mirage Observatory. ... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z85sM3iG6Lk