A Moment in our History: Julia Morgan
At the time Julia Morgan was hired to work on our historic headquarters Laniākea at the end of 1924, she was not a stranger to the YWCA board. Members knew of her work with other YWCA associations on the mainland, especially in California. Morgan had also done some local work for YWCA. She was hired in 1920 to design the original Fernhurst which stood at the corner of Alapai and King, on land gifted by the Atherton Family.
Drawing of Laniākea by Julia Morgan
Morgan designed this Fernhurst building
A native of San Francisco, Morgan became the first female student to earn a degree from the architecture division of the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris. Upon graduation in early 1900, Morgan returned to the Bay Area, where she spent her entire life, and began her career as an architect. During her career, Morgan designed and completed more than 700 private homes, public buildings and commercial properties.
Julia Morgan’s Beaux-Arts Student ID (Kennedy Library Online Archive/California Polytechnic State University)
Julia Morgan standing on a balcony in Paris, 1899 (Julia Morgan-Sara Holmes Boutelle Collection/California Polytechnic State University)
Upon returning from Paris, Morgan began her career as an architect. A newspaper ad in the Oakland Tribune: April 24, 1906.
Julia Morgan walking on the second floor loggia at Laniākea
Morgan’s sketch of Laniākea’s front door
Julia Morgan’s work with YWCA started with the Asilomar Conference Grounds in Pacific Grove, CA. Morgan designed a total of 16 buildings for YWCA associations — including ours — between 1913 and 1929.
Asilomar Conference Grounds designed by Julia Morgan
Many YWCA conferences were held here over the years. Today, it is called Asilomar State Beach & Conference Grounds, part of the California State Parks system.
YWCA O'ahu delegates attending a conference at Asilomar
“Julia Morgan wanted to create a space for women and girls, especially those who were underserved,” said Betty Marvin, a long-time employee of the City of Oakland. She specializes in historic preservation and is also known for her unique historic tour of Julia Morgan buildings, told in Morgan’s voice.
“She wanted to create opportuniites for them – those women and girls who were not welcome anywhere in our society. This is why she created classrooms so that they could study and learn new subjects and exercise rooms so that they could build strong bodies. She wanted to design YWCA buildings where they felt welcome.”
While the beauty and functionality of the buildings were cherished by the YWCA associations, many faced financial challenges in maintaining them. Today, most buildings have been sold or repurposed.
San Jose YWCA building, demolished in 1973
Chinatown YWCA in San Francisco, now occupied by the Chinese Historical Society of America
Oakland YWCA sold its building in early 2000. The building now hosts dorm rooms for a local college and a charter school.
There are a few YWCA associations including us that still own and operate in Julia Morgan buildings.
YWCA Greater Los Angeles Workforce Readiness Development Program is housed in its Hollywood Studio Club. This Julia Morgan building was created with the purpose of providing safe and affordable lodging to the women working in Hollywood. Its residents included Marilyn Monroe, Kim Novak and Ayn Rand:
Hollywood Studio Club opened in 1926. The building offered a spacious lobby, writing rooms, a library, a large dining area and a stage with the capacity to house 100 women.
YWCA Utah in Salt Lake City is another association that continues its services in its Julia Morgan building. The historic Peter M. and Paula Green Johnson building, designed by Julia Morgan, supports business operations and membership and advocacy efforts.
YWCA Utah is one of the few Julia Morgan buildings in existence today as an owned and operated facility of a YWCA.
Our Julia Morgan building will turn 100-years-old in the year 2027. We are proud to be the steward of this historic and beautiful place that continues to keep its doors open to the community.
Laniākea today