In 1975, when Lurline Roth donated Filoli to the National Trust for Historic Preservation she said, “I have always felt that such a place should be preserved ...and made a center of horticulture and cultural activities.” Today Filoli, which is stewarded by the Filoli Center, is a place of—as Kara Newport, president and CEO of Filoli stated—beauty, nature, and stories. Those lucky enough to stroll along its gardens and trails experience inspiration, awe, and a sense of peace.

Located less than an hour outside San Francisco, Filoli gets its name its original owner William Bourn who took the first letters from his personal motto, “Fight for a just cause. / Love Your Fellow Man. / Live a Good Life.” Today the site which was constructed in 1917 has 654 property acres, 16 of which are house and gardens, containing 6 distinct ecosystems.

While Filoli’s website is rich in information about its history and horticulture, those who are not able to visit in person can experience the sites vast environment through their podcast, Morning in the Garden. Newport said the podcast is “tranquil and immersive storytelling that captures the essence of Filoli's beauty and history.

To explore what is happening at Filoli today and to learn about what inspired her love of history we asked Kara Newport a few questions.

What first inspired your love of history? What's your earliest memory of experiencing a historic site?

As a young child I was a voracious reader and had a particular interest in historical fiction. I can recall this first coming to life for me at the Museum of Appalachia which is a preserved Appalachian village with working vegetable gardens, roaming chickens and other farm animals, and homes filled with artifacts representing the colorful and rich lives of those times. As the descendent of hard working Appalachian people, this resonated with me as it was an example of preserving all histories not just those of the wealthy elite. It brought to life for me, as a child, my own history.

When people visit Filoli, what you want them to see, do, and feel while they are there?

When people visit Filoli, I want them to be immersed in the experience and feel transported to a place of magic and beauty. While Filoli is best known for the historic home and immaculate historic gardens, it is also a fantastic representation of heritage agriculture and tells the story of the place through time, including the first people to steward the land, the Lamchin, a tribe of the Ramaytush Ohlone. Most importantly, I want every person to feel like they belong.

Filoli is a place where guests weave their own stories through an array of unforgettable experiences, from daily explorations and expertly curated tours to engaging citizen science programs, concerts in the newly renovated Ballroom, and vibrant seasonal shows for Halloween and the Holidays.

What is your favorite part of your site?

Filoli features stunning gardens, a historic house, heritage agriculture, and six unique ecosystems, making it hard to pick a favorite highlight! In 2022, Filoli restored its historic vegetable gardens and opened them to the public for the first time. Thanks to its Bay Area location, the gardens thrive year-round, offering a bounty that resonates deeply with our visitors. Many guests connect with the garden's offerings, recalling personal memories tied to their history or culture.

Filoli celebrates diversity by growing crops like bitter melon, popular in Chinese cuisine, an important and growing audience for us., Filoli also partners with community groups in “partner plots” to grow culturally significant plants and give these groups a space to gather. The harvest is a wellness perk for staff, is transformed into jams and salsas sold onsite, and benefits local food banks.

What project at the site is energizing you today?

In 2022, Filoli partnered with Nelson Byrd Woltz and Architectural Resources Group to complete a Comprehensive Site Plan for the future use of all 654 acres. The guest experiences now expand into our natural lands with more trails and in the Summer we will welcome Thomas Dambo’s Trolls exhibition telling a story of sustainability. We are launching ecosystem restoration and conservation programs to serve as an inspiring example of measures to mitigate climate impacts and create a sustainable site for future generations.