Filoli Annual Appeal

November 16, 2012

Dear Friend of Filoli,

2012 has been a busy year at Filoli. A wide array of special events, classes, education programs, concerts and seasonal garden displays attracted nearly 114,000 visitors, including more than 5,000 elementary school students and teachers who took part in guided field trips through the House, Garden or Nature Preserve. Almost half of these students were underwritten by Filoli’s scholarship program. It’s thrilling and rewarding to see the many ways in which this wonderful resource is utilized.

Students learn an Ohlone game on the "Native Plants,
Native Ways" field trip.

As we’re sure you appreciate, Filoli’s historic structures and surrounding acreage are continuously in need of maintenance and repair. Stewardship of this national treasure is at the core of our mission, and there are numerous critical preservation projects that need attention. Time–sensitive projects in 2012 included a complete upgrade and re–pipe of the aged galvanized water pipe system with copper. This costly improvement ensures that the House and its priceless contents will no longer be at risk from a system that was on the verge of failing. We have addressed safety issues such as the installation of lighting on the long walkway between the parking lot and the House. Priorities for 2013 include equally crucial infrastructure repairs and enhancements, such as rebuilding irrigation controls and an electrical upgrade in the main House.

Horticulturist Kate prepares tulip beds for the
spring display.

In the Garden, the recently completed Greenhouse restoration triples the space for preservation of the Filoli indoor plant collection, originally donated by Mrs. Roth, providing stunning displays as it rotates through the House and Visitor Center. This year, nine paid interns and one apprentice completed their Filoli Garden experience, augmenting their collegiate or graduate horticulture studies. New interns will arrive throughout 2013 to take part in Filoli’s renowned 10–week program. The Horticulture Department plans to install a complete system to electronically catalog and track the encyclopedic Garden database, produce maps and site plans, enhance education programs and communications, and numerous other tasks supporting this historic Garden.

We are able to pursue our mission of preserving, interpreting and stewarding Filoli’s cultural traditions and natural history thanks in large part to people like you, who believe in its importance as a priceless, living resource. We count on gifts to the Annual Fund to support vital infrastructure and operational expenses. As we look to 2013 and the escalating cost of doing business, may we count on your gift to support the experiences that only Filoli can provide? Thank you very much for your consideration.

In sincere appreciation,


Robert Walker	Pamela Smith
President, Board of Governors	President, Friends of Filoli

86 Cañada Road, Woodside, California 94062 650–364–8300 www.filoli.org