National Trust for Historic Preservation: Return to home page

As part of Virtual Preservation Month (May 2020), chef Ben Spungin of Alta Bakery and National Trust Chief Preservation Officer Katherine Malone-France had a cooking and culinary historic conversation at Cooper Molera Adobe in Monterey, California. This National Trust Historic Site was home to Andrew Molera, who introduced artichokes into cultivation in the Salinas Valley—and onto America’s dinner tables—in the early 20^th century. Watch a recording of their conversation and then try out the Alta Bakery Marinated Artichokes Recipe too!

Below is an excerpt from our recent story on the reopening of Cooper-Molera Adobe.

After a year of construction, Monterey, California’s Cooper-Molera Adobe—a National Trust Historic Site—will reopen to the public. The museum was once the home of entrepreneurs John and Encarnacion Cooper when Monterey was in the process of becoming a part of the United States. When Cooper-Molera officially reopens on July 3, 2018, admission to the adobe and gardens will be free and open to the public.

Meg Clovis and Susan Klusmire, co-directors of partnerships and interpretation at the site, talked with us about Cooper-Molera’s new programming, how coordinating with local businesses can become a path to nonprofit success, and more.

I know you’ve been working on projects together for a while—when did you first meet?

Klusmire: Meg and I actually met over 30 years ago. She worked with Monterey County and I was with the City of Monterey. We did several projects together and ended up creating [an informal] partnership. I helped her with her museum down in King City, and we’ve work on several exhibits together for the City of Monterey. About four years ago, we started an art program at the Monterey Regional Airport called “Art at the Airport.” ... The full story is available here.

Today the National Trust for Historic Preservation named Meg Clovis and Susan Klusmire co-directors of partnerships and interpretation of Cooper-Molera Adobe. Both Clovis and Klusmire bring decades of experience in cultural affairs and historic preservation in Monterey to the re-imagination of this shared use historic site, where they will oversee programming, public engagement and interpretation. See the full press release to learn more.

This week, Foothill Properties and the National Trust for Historic Preservation are starting a $6.5 million construction project. Commercial uses, such as a restaurant, bakery and special event and wedding space, will help support preservation and museum activities. We’re excited to see this beautiful property protected and rehabilitated, and to have the grounds opened up to the public again, with longer hours than before.

Check back here and follow @coopermolera on Instagram for updates on construction progress and stories about the property's rich history and exciting future.

From July 2017 through the spring of 2018, Cooper-Molera will be an active construction site. With the start of construction, members of the public will start to see significant changes to the site. Throughout this process, we will make every effort to allow our stakeholders in Monterey to stay informed as construction proceeds.

To that end, we will be providing regular updates on this page, as well as on social media (follow us on Instagram at @coopermolera). We hope you will check back regularly. Our goal with this project is to create a dynamic historic place that is a source of community pride, and which will interpret Monterey’s unique history for generations to come.