1934
For $10, Clyde Manley sells an easement through his property to a neighbor who owns what later becomes the Hawkins parcel (see 1985).
June 22, 1949
Lucile Manley signs an agreement with Josephine Duveneck to operate, through AFSC (American Friends Service Committee), an inter-racial boys camp — first called Camp Ben Lomond and later called Camp Unalayee — in the area which is now the Redwood Lodge.
September 29, 1949
Lucile Manley gives approximately 51 acres of land to the "College Park Association of Friends" to be "perpetually dedicated and used for the enjoyment, betterment, education and welfare of mankind." Mrs. Manley and her sister, Edith Cold, retain a life estate and continue to live in their homes.
April 30, 1950
A 15-year lease is signed with Sequoia Seminar, giving them rent-free use of the part of the property above the orchard in exchange for whatever buildings they erect during that time.
May 5, 1950
Deed for the property is formally transfered from the College Park Association of Friends to the American Friends Service Committee.
1950
The main dining hall is built, designed by Herbert Kreinkamp (San Jose Friends Meeting) with Sequoia contributing 70% of the labor and 90% of the cost, the balance to be provided by Friends. Cost — $9,600.
1951
Sequoia builds their "Main Lodge," now the Casa de Luz, for $5,000.
1955
Sequoia builds the caretaker's residence, shop and the storage shed which subsequently becomes the Art Center.
1961
Sequoia offers to buy the property. AFSC forms an ad-hoc committee consisting of Vern James, Welvin Stroud, and Herb Foster, who circulate a questionnaire among Friends to determine how the property might be developed and used by them. Friends begin to use Quaker Center for occasional picnics and meetings.
early 1960s
Sequoia builds Sunrise Lodge, with a parking lot and connecting road to the Main Lodge, in the NW corner of the Manley parcel.
early 1960's
AFSC forms the Ben Lomond Committee to manage its interest in Quaker Center.
July 2, 1965
First extant minutes of regular meetings of the BL Committee.
1966
A Master Plan for Quaker Center is prepared by the San Francisco architectural firm of Osborne and Stewart.
November 21, 1966
The Executive Committee of AFSC decides not to return the property to the Manley family, but asks the BL Committee to "move forward as quickly as practicable with the formation of an independent Friends' corporation to own and operate the Ben Lomond property." At the same meeting, a new 30 year lease is drawn up with Sequoia Seminar (SS), through October 31, 1995, by which they would relinquish the dining hall in 1968, the caretaker's house within a two years notice of that date, and continue to use those parts of the property above these buildings, i.e. the storage shed, Main Lodge, and Sunrise Lodge.
1968
Friends expand the "base camp," which was to become the Hostel and is now called the Redwood Lodge, by adding the dining room to the original 1950 kitchen and building the small bunkhouse nearby.
1968
Friends receive the main dining room from Sequoia Seminar.
1968
Friends raise $10,000 to match a grant from the Friendly Fellowship Foundation, enabling them to begin the two banks of bedrooms next to the main dining hall. This complex was to become known as the Lodge and then renamed the Orchard Lodge.
June 4, 1968
Formal request by AFSC is made to Sequoia Seminar to vacate the caretaker's house and shop by June 10, 1970.
September 9, 1969
AFSC approves the formation of the Ben Lomond Property Board of Trustees, whose first members were Phillips Patton, Arnold True, and Paul Brink, "to hold title and all other legal rights to the Ben Lomond real Property."
March 4, 1970
The BL Committee gives formal notice to Sequoia Seminar that they wish to terminate the 1966 agreement. Court proceedings are initiated on both sides.
June 1970
Sequoia Seminar moves from the caretaker's house and shop.
August 1970
Earle and Akie Reynolds become the first resident hosts at Quaker Center, arriving from Japan on the yacht Phoenix.
early 1970s
BL Committee and Sequoia Seminar drop legal proceedings, begin conflict resolution.
June 1973
Robert Piper and Lonnie Harvey begin work as resident hosts.
January 1974
A "100-year snowfall" causes enough fallen timber to create a probable later fire hazard, and the $10,000 in the Shirley Gross Memorial Fund is used to pay for its removal.
August 1974
The upper bunkhouse at the Hostel is begun, using the volunteer labor of Tim Jackins and the co-counseling community.
August 1976
Verne and Maggie Reynolds begin work as resident hosts.
November 11, 1976
Edith Cold being hospitalized, the Manley life estate passes to the Ben Lomond Board of Trustees; the two residences become available for use by Friends.
1977
Quaker Center receives $30,000 from the Pentler Estate through the Palo Alto Friends Meeting.
July 11, 1977
A road agreement is recorded with Sequoia Seminar, which governs respective easements over one another?s property.
August 1977
An adjacent parcel of about 29 acres is purchased from Samuel A. Balovich for $50,000. Payment of a significant portion of that amount is forgiven upon Mr. Balovich's death less than a year later.
September 12, 1977
The final settlement with Sequoia Seminar is recorded, by which they purchase for $40,000 about three acres in the NW corner of the Manley parcel, including Sunrise Lodge and the adjacent parking lot and road.
September 1977
The first resident cook, Kerry Hamilton, begins work at QC.
1978
Work on the fire protection system begins.
October 1978
Zona Gray begins work as QC resident cook.
April 1979
Mark Thomas is hired as the first Property Manager of QC; he and his wife Beth finish renovating and move into the Manley House with their daughter Emily, 4, and their son Jake, 2.
May 19, 1979
College Park Quarterly Meeting decides to accept devolvement of Quaker Center from AFSC. Organizing meetings of the Ben Lomond Quaker Center Association begin.
1979
A second $30,000 is received from the Pentler Estate.
July 1979
Dee Steele begins work as resident host.
1980
The bathroom is installed at Casa de Luz.
August 1980
Wendy Schnelker begins work as resident cook.
July 1981
Work is begun to renovate the storage shed between the Casa and the caretaker's residence into the Art Center.
November 5, 1981
The Ben Lomond Quaker Center is incorporated in the state of California.
Early 1980s
The Redwood Quaker Association for Religion and Psychology organizes to produce an annual conference at Quaker Center modeled after many years of Jungian inspired east-coast Friends' conferences.
January 4, 1982
A "100-year rainfall" washes out Hubbard Gulch Road in four places, leaving QC inaccessible except through Sequoia Seminar, and closes operations for three months.
January 18, 1982
Nicholas Paul Thomas, son of Mark and Beth, becomes the first child known to be born at Quaker Center.
April 1982
QC re-opens for business on a limited basis.
August 22, 1982
John and Betty deValcourt begin work as resident hosts, moving in the caretaker's residence with their son Joel, aged 1 year 9 months.
September 1, 1982
Quaker Center passes from AFSC to the Association with cash assets of $2817, the $100,000 realized from the Pentler Estate and the Sequoia Seminar sale having been consumed in the Balovich purchase, Art Center construction, and the flood related deficits earlier in 1982.
July 1983
The Art Center is completed and dedicated at the first annual Art and the Spirit workshop.
September 1983
John deValcourt is named the first Director of QC, and Betty deValcourt the first Program Director.
January 1984
Leon Kaplan begins work as resident Property Manager. He moves into the caretaker's residence. The deValcourts become the first Directors to live in the Manley House. John keeps his office on the porch of the caretaker's residence.
April 1984
The Meditation Cottage is built with the help of John Woolman School students and funds provided by a gift of Lois Crozier Hogle. It is dedicated at the annual session of College Park Quarterly Meeting at Quaker Center in May.
August 1984
The Hostel is renovated at the annual Labor Day Workcamp.
November 1984
The Association decides that part-time staff may no longer reside full-time at QC.
July 1985
Bob Horner and Julia Beaman begin sharing the job of resident caretaker.
July 1985
A 3 and 1/4 acre parcel is acquired from Glen and Evelyn Hawkins after development of an easement through QC to this property becomes too difficult and costly as a result of 1982 flood related damages.
August 1985
At the annual Labor Day Workcamp, the Cold House is renovated for use as a Sojourners' Cottage for individuals and families.
1986
An infiltration gallery is constructed high on the Balovich parcel to bring drinking water to QC without pumping costs.
1986
Julia Beaman assumes the duties of administrator and Don Murray of resident host while the deValcourts are on leave.
August 1986
The main dining room is renovated during the Labor Day Workcamp.
1987
An additional bedroom is added to the caretaker's residence. The entire drinking water supply piping system is replaced.
August 1987
George and Grace Malley begin work as Directors of QC, bringing with them their children Laura, 3, and Anna, 1.
August 1987
The Casa de Luz exterior is painted and walls doubled and insulated between the large angled windows during the Labor Day Workcamp.
November 1987
Sterling group blazes lower portion of the Waterfall Trail.
January 1988
Office is created in the old back porch of the Manley House.
February 1988
Jerry Perry begins work as the property manager of Quaker Center and renovates caretaker's residence.
February 1988
A computer is purchased for Quaker Center.
April 1988
John Woolman School volunteers clear old garden area, blaze and name the Reynolds trail after Earle and Akie.
August 1988
Manley House is re-roofed and exterior painted during Labor Day Workcamp.
February 1989
Art Center to Hostel trail completed.
March 1989
Mark Thomas and family returns to Quaker Center. Mark is caretaker.
September 1989
The Sojourner's Cottage is renovated at the annual workcamp. The children's play structure is completed below the orchard, on the eventual site of the Directors' house.
September 1989
The Loma Prieta earthquake knocks the chimney off of the Manley house. No other damage is experienced.
September 1990
Small Hostel bunkhouse is renovated at the annual Workcamp.
September 10, 1990
Margaret Appleby Thomas is born at Quaker Center.
December 10, 1990
John Paul Malley is born at Quaker Center.
September 1991
Hostel dining room is renovated at the annual Workcamp.
1992
Lodge becomes formally renamed as the Orchard Lodge. Hostel becomes formally renamed as the Redwood Lodge. George Malley hand routes new signs for most buildings and directional points at Quaker Center.
July 1992
Chad Williams becomes the Maintenance Manager and moves to Quaker Center with his 13 year-old daughter Rhea.
August 1992
Akie Reynolds becomes the interim Director of Quaker Center.
November 3, 1992
Traci and Walter Hjelt Sullivan become the new co-Directors and move to Quaker Center with their daughters Rebecca, age 3, and Grace, eight months.
March 1993
John Woolman School volunteers begin demolition of the bathroom next to room 8 of the Orchard Lodge as a part of a renovation to create a fully wheelchair-accessible bathroom. The bathroom is completed in June.
June 1993
Quaker Center celebrates the 25th anniversary of Quaker sponsored programs on the property. Among the many special guests is Virginia Rusinak, daughter of Clyde and Lucile Manley, who tells the story of moving to this property as a four-year old in 1929.
February 1994
Second annual Conference on Religion & Psychology under the care of a reorganized steering committee. Under a new agreement with the Quaker Center Board, publicity, finances, and registration are handled by the Quaker Center program staff.
June 1994
First week-long summer camping program for Friends entering 5th - 7th grade, run at Quaker Center by Mimi and Alan Edgar and the Quaker Center staff.
October 1995
David Forbes becomes Quaker Center's new maintenance manager.
March 1996
Board approves new mission statement.
November 1996
Traci and Walter Sullivan lead a meeting retreat for Honolulu Monthly Meeting as an experiment for taking Quaker Center programs on the road.
January 1997
After an eighteen month process, Board approves a comprehensive long range plan for Quaker Center.
Spring 1997
After careful Board consideration, Quaker Center harvests 30% of mature redwoods and douglas firs on 12 acres of the Balovich parcel. Proceeds are used for road repairs and to fund long-range plan construction.
April 1997
Woolman students move the playground to a new site making room for the new Directors' house.
July 1997
After three years of increasing success in our annual camping program, Quaker Center begins a second week each summer: a service camp for friends entering 8th - 10th grade.
August 1997
Ground is broken for the construction of a new Directors' residence. "Strengthening the Center," Quaker Center's first capital campaign is announced. Virginia Rusinak returns to tell stories of growing up on the property.
March 1998
Traci, Walter, Rebecca and Grace Sullivan move into the new residence. Work begins on renovating the Manley House to expand the office and create an intern's apartment.
March 1998
Chris Ravndal travels as the first official Quaker Center on the Road program, teaching "Centering Prayer" at Claremont Meeting, La Jolla Meeting, and Santa Barbara Meeting. Before returning home, Chris travels to Honolulu to lead a meeting retreat for friends in Hawaii.
April 1998
Woolman students demolish damaged chimney in the Manley House, creating an entrance for an intern's apartment.
August 1998
Carrie Glasby and Kathy Karhnak arrive as Quaker Center's first interns.
September 1998
Manley House interior renovations are complete. Carrie and Kathy move into the apartment. The office moves from the back porch into the main room. Space is created for receiving the public and for a future library/reading room.
August 1999
Stephen Myers arrives to be the second intern under the new internship program.
August 29th, 1999
Quaker Center celebrates the 50th anniversary of the donation of the original donation of land from Clyde and Lucile Manley. Entertainment includes blessings and dances by Patrick Orosco and the local Ohlone community; memories from Viginina Rusinak, Marge Leavitt and others; a benefit dinner; and a concert featuring Carin Anderson of San Francisco Meeting and her group "Two Good Hands" and the Jewish women's a capella group "Vocolot."
2000:
Quaker Center becomes connected to the WorldWideWeb with its own website: www.quakercenter.org
The Strengthening the Center capital campaign reaches its goal of $250,000.
A Senior Camp for 11th and 12th graders opens during the summer as our third camping opportunity for young people.
Quaker Center Maintenance Manager David Forbes marries Heather Elrick in the Redwood Circle.
Walter and Traci Sullivan increase their work load from 1.5 to 2 full-time positions.
Katie Thorsos becomes the 4th Quaker Center intern.
2001:
Quaker Center begins to plan seriously for a Redwood Lodge expansion, but an expected Fall start does not materialize.
Samara Rivett of Australia becomes the 5th Quaker Center intern.
The Alternatives to Violence Project begins to offer its 3-part training series at Quaker Center.
2002:
Laura Kummerer completes the term of Quaker Center intern for the Spring and Summer, followed by Cherish Wilcox in the Fall.
Alma Angelina Elrick Forbes is born May 3 to David and Heather.
The first CORE (COastal Redwood Environmental) School pilot project is held in May for 5-12 year-olds.
To move forward with the rebuilding of the Redwood Lodge, we form the New Initiative Advisory Committee to map out a capital campaign; and the New Initiative Working Group to develop subsidy policies for small-budget, community-based groups.
The volunteer workcamp constructs a new deck at the Casa de Luz.
2003:
Upgraded by the addition of a shower and a Murphy bed so as to be available for personal retreats, the Art Center is reborn as the Haven.
Sara Wolcott, our 8th intern, is the first one from our own Quarterly Meeting.
The volunteer workcamp constructs a new retaining wall beside the shop.
2004:
Following government regulations, we add a new drinking water tank to allow longer contact between the water and the chlorine.
Alden Elrick Forbes is born to David and Heather on June 10.
The 36 year-old carpet in half the Orchard Lodge bedrooms is replaced by wood-substitute flooring.
Eva Miller of Orange Grove Meeting becomes Quaker Center's 9th intern.
The workcamp adds a deck to the side of the Maintenance Manager's house.
Having raised about 2/3 of the projected total costs, we begin construction of the Redwood Lodge kitchen/dining room in August.
The labyrinth is completed and dedicated in October thanks to the generosity and hands-on work of Tom Davis.
Lisa Murphy is hired as the first director of the CORE School.
2005:
Eva Miller completes an update of our earlier Quaker Leadership Directory.
Bo Forsyth, long-time Quaker Center workcamp volunteer and kids' camp counselor, dies of cancer.
DSL high-speed internet connection becomes available at Quaker Center.
The Redwood Lodge is completed on schedule in April and is dedicated at the close of Quarterly Meeting on May 15.
The Haven becomes wheelchair-accessible with the addition of a concrete ramp down the slope from the road.
Ethan Berleman becomes the 10th Quaker Center intern.
Our neighbor of over 50 years - Sequoia Seminar - is sold to an individual who wants to convert it to a for-profit retreat center.
Traci Hjelt Sullivan announces that she is applying for the position of Conference Coordinator at FGC, and the Board begins to design a search process for the possible replacement of the Sullivans.
The remaining floors in the Orchard Lodge bedrooms and in the dining room are replaced.
2006:
Traci Hjelt Sullivan accepts the job of FGC Conference Coordinator, to start May 4, and Quaker Center begins the search for her and Walter'ssuccessors. Nan Louise Wolfe of Santa Cruz is hired as a part-time bookkeeper to assume the finance parts of Traci's job.
Gretta and Jacob Stone of Doylestown, PA are hired as co-Directors of Quaker Center.
Anne Bleile-Kratzer becomes camp director for the two summer camps, and then, in August, becomes the associate director of Quaker Center for the fall semester
Sandra Schulpius becomes the 11th intern at Quaker Center.
Walter Sullivan is hired for a faculty position at Pendle Hill starting September 1st; on August 12 College Park Quarterly Friends say goodbye at a potluck in Berkeley; on August 14. He, Traci and their family pack up and leave for Philadelphia.
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