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Transcript/ScriptCONNECT Sunnylands (TV)
HEADLINE: Sunnylands: Power-Players' Retreat Embracing Mid-Century Modernity
TEASER: Place where world leaders unwind, converse, and shape history
PUBLISHED AT: 08/21/2023
BYLINE: Genia Dulot
DATELINE: Palm Springs, California
VIDEOGRAPHER: Genia Dulot
PRODUCER: Genia Dulot, Zdenko Novacki
COURTESIES:
SCRIPT EDITORS: AK, MJ
VIDEO SOURCE (S): VOA
PLATFORMS (mark with X): WEB __ TV _X_ RADIO __
TRT: 3:00
VID APPROVED BY: AK, MJ
TYPE: VPKGF
EDITOR NOTES: ))
((Eds: This is a self-narrated feature.))
((INTRO))
[[In the mid-1960s, Walter and Leonore Annenberg built Sunnylands, a spectacular private resort compound just outside of Palm Springs, California. Over the years, this location evolved into more than a residential property, attracting former presidents as well as influential figures worldwide and prompting significant diplomatic discussions under its roof. VOA’s Genia Dulot brings us the story.]]
((NATS))
((Courtesy: Sunnylands))
((Anne Rowe, Director of Heritage, Sunnylands))
Walter and Leonore Annenberg were both American diplomats and they were philanthropists.
((Courtesy end)
And in 1963, they decided to build a marvelous mid-century home here in the desert.
They paired up with a Quincy Jones, who was a famous architect in Southern California and beyond that, and they designed this masterpiece.
So, the mid-century modern movement really occurred across the globe. And the way it was interpreted in Southern California took many shapes and forms. In the Annenberg’s case, they had it in their mind and they brought to the table, to the architect, that they wanted a “Mayan influence”, they called it. They had toured through Mexico. They had toured the pyramids, and hence they wanted a pyramidal roof on their mid-century
home. When they designed this house, they were not yet diplomats. They were successful publishers. They were very wealthy power couple.
((Anne Rowe, Director of Heritage, Sunnylands))
What happened was they built this home for themselves. And as the history of the home unfolded with one of the first guests being President Eisenhower, and it’s just snowballed from there. One dignitary came after another, and they saw the power of place here. They saw their friends coming out of Washington, D.C. and other places in the world, and coming to this tranquil environment. And they saw really interesting conversations
((Courtesy: Sunnylands))
happen here. And then later, it became more conscious effort to use this property for diplomatic outreach.
((Courtesy end))
They were bringing people together from different worlds. For instance, on the patio, we know from the guest books, you would have Prince Charles
((Courtesy: Sunnylands))
with Bob Hope, with Frank Sinatra, and with Ronald Reagan.
((Courtesy end))
((Anne Rowe, Director of Heritage, Sunnylands))
There were some relationships forged through this property. For instance, it was actually Mr. Annenberg who introduced Ronald Reagan to Margaret Thatcher. That became a very famous pairing and a powerful pairing through the 80s. It impacted policy, you know, across the pond, so to speak.
What the Annenbergs wished for their property after their residency was that we continue to provide what they naturally provided and make the home a place to gather people who have impact
((Courtesy: Sunnylands))
in the world, for the greater good,
((Courtesy end))
really to bring peace to the world. That was their goal. And so, they asked us to do the same, to bring people, important people, to the property, to be in the home, to relax and have important conversations.
((NATS))
((Anne Rowe, Director of Heritage, Sunnylands))
One of our recent guests was President Obama during his term, and he brought
((Courtesy: Sunnylands))
to the property, Chinese President, Xi Jinping, and they had an important summit here,
((Courtesy end))
and a lot of good work was decided out of that meeting here.
President Trump did not opt to use the property, but it certainly was available to him.
As a presidential retreat, President Biden is more than welcome to plan meetings here, and we would welcome him and his administration as we would any president.
((NATS))
NewsML Media TopicsArts, Culture, Entertainment and Media
NetworkVOA
Location (dateline)
Palm Springs, California
Embargo DateAugust 21, 2023 17:39 EDT
Byline
Genia Dulot, VOA News
Brand / Language ServiceVoice of America - English
