The Arizona Garden, planted in the 1880s on what would become the Stanford University Campus arboretum, in 2025.
Image created by John Martin.
Palo Alto and the Evolving Campus
Tracing the legacy of the modern campus,
from Olmsted to Sunset
Return to the San Francisco Peninsula with CGLHS to explore the planned landscapes that generated today's technological hub. We'll explore the town's sites together, from the Olmsted-era quad on Stanford University's campus to a mid-century office park, that continue to influence the region.
Additional information, including a detailed itinerary with addresses and speaker bios, will be provided by email the week of the conference and in a folder at registration. If you are planning to be in the area for an extra day before or after the conference, this helpful map provides some information on interesting historic sites in and around Palo Alto that you may like to visit.
Scroll to the bottom for a note on accessibility and accommodations during the conference.
CONFERENCE SCHEDULE
Friday, October 24
3:00 Tour the Frank Lloyd Wright-designed Hanna House (also known as the Honeycomb House) in Stanford's faculty housing neighborhood with Dr. Thomas Beischer, who teaches Architectural History at Stanford.
6:00 Welcome reception with appetizers and drinks at the Palo Alto Art Center. Please note that this reception is outside, and layers are recommended.
Saturday, October 25
9:00 Gather at the Museum of American Heritage in downtown Palo Alto. Coffee and light breakfast will be provided.
9:30 Program begins. Morning talks will focus on the design, history, and modern-day management of Stanford's heritage landscapes.
2:00 After lunch and a self-guided tour of the Museum and gardens, we'll carpool to the Stanford University campus to experience the designed landscape in person.
The tour, led by landscape architect and Director of Campus Planning Cathy Blake, will feature the Arizona Garden, designed in the 1880s for Jane and Leland Stanford, the Olmsted-designed quad, and contemporary installations.
6:30 Dinner at restaurant (and California Historic Landmark, no. 895) MacArthur Park, located in a Julia Morgan-designed building.
Sunday, October 26
9:00 We'll meet at the historic Sunset headquarters in Menlo Park to hear from Kathleen Brenzel, the former garden editor of Sunset Magazine and Books, and Professor Louise Mozingo, landscape architect and author of the 2014 book Pastoral Capitalism. The talks will be followed by a self-guided tour of the former gardens.
This is a rare opportunity to visit the storied campus. Coffee and donuts provided. The program ends at noon.
CONFERENCE LOGISTICS
Accessibility: Please find directions and information on accessibility in this conference packet. Reach out to info@cglhs.org if you would like to discuss accommodations. Please include "conference accommodations" in the subject line.
A note on hotels: Rather than provide one hotel location, CGLHS is suggesting a range of preferred hotels. Please feel free to stay any place you like. CGLHS Hotels Conference 2025.pdf.
Please review our Cancellation Policy. Note that the overall availability of tickets shown includes possible dinner guests. Full conference attendance is limited; late registration is subject to venue capacity.
CONFERENCE FEES
Registration includes the opening reception, Saturday programs and meals, and Sunday pastries and coffee.
Please reach out to info@cglhs.org with the subject line "2025 Conference" should you have any concerns or questions about the fee. We will make every possible effort to accommodate individual needs and would regret your absence if the only barrier is cost.
CONFERENCE SPONSOR
Special thanks to the Museum of American Heritage (MOAH) for partnering with CGLHS to sponsor this event. MOAH is dedicated to the history of technological innovation in the Bay Area from 1750 to 1950.
