The Huntington, officially known as The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens, is a cultural and research institution located in San Marino, just outside of Los Angeles. Established in 1919 by businessman Henry E. Huntington, it combines extensive library collections, an art museum, and over a dozen themed gardens across 120 acres of landscaped grounds.
The library holds more than 11 million items spanning from the 11th century to the present. Its notable holdings include rare books, manuscripts, maps, and photographs. Among its most significant treasures are a Gutenberg Bible on vellum, a manuscript of Geoffrey Chaucer’s The Canterbury Tales, and early editions of works by William Shakespeare. The collection also encompasses American historical documents, including materials related to the Revolutionary and Civil Wars.
The art museum’s collection is housed in the original Beaux-Arts mansion and adjoining galleries. Highlights include 18th- and 19th-century British art, with works by Thomas Gainsborough and J.M.W. Turner, as well as American paintings, sculpture, and decorative arts. The European collection features significant pieces of Renaissance and Baroque art, while rotating exhibitions present works from the institution’s broader holdings and loans from other museums.
The botanical gardens cover a wide range of plant species and landscapes. Notable areas include the Japanese Garden, Chinese Garden (Liu Fang Yuan), Desert Garden, and Rose Garden. Each is designed to reflect its respective cultural or ecological setting, and seasonal displays enhance the visitor experience. The gardens are both educational resources and recreational spaces, attracting horticultural enthusiasts and casual visitors alike.
The Huntington offers year-round public programs, including lectures, concerts, and art workshops. Research fellowships support scholars using the library’s primary source materials. Facilities include a café, bookstore, and visitor centre, with guided tours available for both the art and garden areas.
Accessible by car, The Huntington provides on-site parking and is located within a short drive of Pasadena and central Los Angeles. Its integration of rare collections, fine art, and expansive gardens makes it a prominent cultural destination in Southern California.
Official website: https://www.huntington.org
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