2025 marks the 100th anniversary of the publication of Roan Stallion, Tamar and Other Poems and the completion of Hawk Tower. At this year’s Fall Festival, we will explore the enduring legacy of these two milestones and celebrate the recent designation of Tor House as a National Historic Landmark.
The October 3–5 Festival program includes a sunset celebration at Tor House, lecture presentations, readings of Jeffers’ poetry, a panel discussion at the Carmel Women’s Club, an evening reception and banquet, and a field trip to the Point Sur Lighthouse.
Reservations: Friday Sunset Celebration, $35; Saturday programs at the Carmel Woman’s Center free and open to the public; Saturday box lunch (optional), $25; Saturday evening banquet at the Monterey Conference Center, $80; Sunday afternoon field trip to Point Sur Lighthouse, $25.
CLICK ON THE RESERVATIONS BUTTON TO RESERVE YOUR TICKETS FOR FRIDAY, SATURDAY NIGHT, AND SUNDAY EVENTS! SATURDAY TALKS ARE FREE!
Friday, October 3, Sunset Celebration at Tor House, 5:00–7:00 PM.
Wine and hors d’oeuvres reception; piano, melodeon, and Irish harp music performed by Melinda Coffey Armstead and Elise Rotchford; poetry reading by Taelen Thomas.
Reservation: $35. Advance registration requested, www.torhouse.org.
Saturday, October 4, 8:30 AM – 3:45 PM. Carmel Woman’s Club.
Lectures and Presentations
Free and open to the public.
8:30–9:00 AM: Coffee and Pastries
9:00–9:15: Welcome: Elliot Ruchowitz-Roberts, President, THF
Morning Moderator: Eric Smith
9:15–10:00: Looking Back at 1925
In America and the World: Richard Kezirian
In Carmel: Karen Ferlito
At Tor House: James Karman
10:00–10:10: Coffee Break
10:10–11:00: “Stone by Stone: The Building of Hawk Tower”: Aaron Yoshinobu
11:00–11:10: Coffee Break
11:10–12:00: “Stones in the Sky: The Towers of Rilke, Jung, Yeats, and Jeffers”: Laura diZerega
12:00–1:15 PM: Lunch. Optional box lunch at Woman’s Club, $25.
Afternoon Moderator: Karen Ferlito
1:30–2:15: “Roan Stallion,” read by Elliot Ruchowitz-Roberts
2:15–2:30: Coffee Break
2:30–3:30: Panel discussion of Roan Stallion, Tamar and Other Poems
Gere diZerega, James Karman, Elliot Ruchowitz-Roberts
Saturday, October 4, 5:00–8:00 PM: Reception and Banquet at Monterey Conference Center
Guest Speakers: Sam Farr and Aengus Jeffers—In Conversation about Tor House, Robinson Jeffers, and Carmel Reservation: $80. Click on Reservations button!
Sunday, October 5, 2:00–5:00 PM: Tour of Point Sur Lighthouse
This special event will include a guided tour of the historic Point Sur Lighthouse and Lightstation led by PSL volunteers, along with readings of Jeffers’ poetry by Tor House Foundation docents.
The tour includes an uphill walk of about one-half mile, an elevation climb of 360 feet (some of it steep), and two stairways, the longest of which has 61 steps. The tour features visits to the fog signal room, the lighthouse, carpenter/blacksmith shop, headkeeper’s quarters, and the visitor center/gift shop, along with stunning views of the Santa Lucia Mountains, Pico Blanco, the coast, and the ocean.
If possible, please carpool. Brittney Buffo, THF Program Director/Docent Coordinator, is the contact person for carpooling: programs@torhouse.org
The entrance to the Point Sur Lightstation is 19 miles south of Carmel on Highway 1.
There is no highway signage on the entrance gate, but there is a brown sign with white lettering on the ranch gate on the ocean side of Highway 1. The gate is where the highway straightens out after passing over the headwaters and beach south of the Little Sur River, just after a small clump of cypress trees. A Tor House docent will be there with a Tor House sign.
A Point Sur Lightstation docent in a bright yellow jacket will greet, sign in, and direct each driver to the parking area at the base of the rock. There are three portable toilets and another at the top of the rock. Dress in layers, be prepared for wind and sun exposure, and carry water.
No equipment with wheels (walkers, wheelchairs, tripods, etc.) is allowed on the tour. Please consult the Tor House Foundation website for further details, including ADA requests and carpooling. ADA requests must be made at least three weeks before the tour.
Advance reservation required: $25
Date and Time
Friday Oct 3, 2025 Sunday Oct 5, 2025
October 3, 5-7pm
October 4, 8:30a-3:45p & 4-5pm
October 5, 2-5pm
Location
October 3 - Tor House, 5-7pm
October 4 - Carmel Woman's Club, 8:30a-3:45p & Monterey Conference Center, 5-8pm
October 5 - Point Sur Lighthouse, 2-5pm
Fees/Admission
Reservations: Friday Sunset Celebration, $35; Saturday programs at the Carmel Woman’s Center free and open to the public; Saturday box lunch (optional), $25; Saturday evening banquet at the Monterey Conference Center, $80; Sunday afternoon field trip to Point Sur Lighthouse, $25.
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