ARTICLE & PHOTOS BY LYNNE TUCKER
THE HUNTINGTON IS OPEN
Gardens only.
Non-Members must buy tickets online in advance.
Members must reserve tickets online in advance.
President’s Welcome
In the summer of 1919, Henry and Arabella Huntington drafted the trust document that would transform their estate into an institution for the “advancement of learning, the arts and sciences, and to promote the public welfare.” George Ellery Hale, prominent astrophysicist and a member of the original Board of Trustees, declared confidently just a year later that the institution “will be the means of bringing students to Pasadena and Los Angeles from all over the world.”
Fast forward to now, and our activities at The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens surpass even what Hale and the Huntingtons could have envisioned. Last year, approximately 800,000 visitors from the US and around the world enjoyed their 130 acres of public grounds, filled with lush botanical gardens and a rich array of exhibitions celebrating their three treasured collections of rare library, art, and botanical materials. They continually bring contemporary artists and researchers to The Huntington to help them interpret their collections in new ways, with nearly 2,000 scholars taking part in our fellowship and research programs annually. Last year, 21,000 students and educators participated in our lively school tours and educational programs, almost all offered for free.
As they head into The Huntington’s second century, there is still much more work to be done. Offering an accessible and inviting experience for visitors of all backgrounds and abilities continues to be a major priority, reflected in our physical spaces, partnerships, and programmatic offerings as well as their training for staff and volunteers. In this time of pandemic, they have restricted their number of onsite visitors to keep everyone safe and to comply with public health regulations; however, at the same time, they have expanded their virtual resources and will continue to do so to allow scholars, students, and those who simply live life with curiosity to learn from their collections, whether they are near or far. Their Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Strategic Plan 2020-2025 outlines these commitments and more in a transformative plan of action that touches every aspect of who they are, how they operate, and what audiences they serve.
Henry and Arabella Huntington founded this institution with the conviction that their collections were better shared. Whether you are visiting them onsite or online, they welcome you to The Huntington and invite you to make it yours.
Karen R. Lawrence, President
Plan Your Visit – Get Tickets
Admission to The Huntington During COVID-19
The Huntington is beginning a phased reopening; the gardens are now open (galleries remain closed). All visitors, including Members must reserve tickets online in advance.
You’ll notice a number of changes in alignment with LA County’s health and safety protocols and requirements. Please follow them, knowing that we’re working hard to keep both our staff and visitors safe during a period of great uncertainty. Thank You!
Important Notice for all Visitors
The Huntington has put in place a number of new protocols and processes to help ensure the safety of our staff and visitors. It is important that you read through this information in its entirety before your visit. We’re working hard to protect you in the midst of this pandemic, but we’ll need you to do your part, too!
Please do not visit The Huntington if you have been in close contact with someone who has COVID-19 or COVID symptoms or if you have experienced any of the following symptoms in the last 10 days:
Fever
Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
Chills
Not due to a chronic condition:
Sore throat
Headache
Recent loss of sense of taste or smell
Muscle aches
Cough
Before You Arrive, Please Be Aware:
All visitors are required to adhere to the following protocols at all times:
All visitors to The Huntington, including Members, must pre-purchase or reserve an e-ticket.
UPDATE: Cloth masks or face coverings must be worn over the nose and mouth at all times, by all visitors (children under 2 are exempt), and by all staff members, except when eating or drinking. Based on guidance from health authorities, masks with exhalation valves, vents, or holes of any kind are not acceptable face coverings at The Huntington. Masks with valves allow unfiltered exhaled air to escape and are an unsatisfactory form of source control in preventing the spread of COVID-19.
Visitors and staff are required to pass a symptom screening with temperature check prior to entry.
A physical distance of 6 feet between yourself and others is required and will be enforced; parties consisting of single households of 6 people or fewer may remain together; children must stay with adults at all times.
If you begin to feel unwell during your visit you must contact one of our staff by calling 626.405.2250 and providing your location so that we can assist you.
Credit or debit cards only; The Huntington is a temporarily cashless facility.
Please Respect Our Staff!
We look forward to your visit. However, The Huntington will not tolerate inappropriate behavior, including, but not limited to, yelling, violence, intimidation, threats, harassment, aggression, swearing, damage, abuse, or sexual harassment. Individuals who are aggressive toward staff or other visitors will be expelled from The Huntington and escorted off the property.
Covid-19 Safety Measures at The Huntington
Visitor capacity reduced and controlled at all locations.
Indoor galleries as well as high-touch outdoor spaces, including the Children’s Garden and the Rose Hills Conservatory for Botanical Science are closed.
Enhanced cleaning of high-touch surfaces throughout the day; hand-sanitizer units stationed throughout the property.
Lockers are not available.
Bring water with you; water fountains are not available; bottled water is available for purchase.
Wheelchairs are not available.
Special Assistance Vehicle services are not available due to restricted occupancy and sanitation protocols. As you plan your trip around the 130 acres of public gardens, please plan accordingly.
In accordance with the Los Angeles County Public Health Order, physical distancing and wearing a face covering is required to help reduce the spread of COVID-19. However, even if all protocols are followed there are increased risks of exposure to COVID-19 any time you visit a public place. The Huntington, in alignment with the Los Angeles County Public Health Order, strongly encourages persons who have active or unstable pre-existing health conditions, to remain at home and not visit The Huntington at this time.
For more information visit www.huntington.org
Think DayCation and Enjoy their Grounds and Gardens!
“It is not about being all the same, it is about respecting differences.”
Lynne Tucker
A Passion 4 Photography
818.298.7007
Contributing Writer and Photographer for:
CV Weekly (Coachella Valley)
The Tolucan Times (San Fernando Valley)
Conservation Ambassador for The Living Desert
