Art Collections, and
Botanical Gardens
San Marino, California
The Huntington Library, Art Collections and Botanical Gardens located in San Marino, CA., is an internationally-renowned cultural center for tourists and locals alike. The center, once the personal residence of railroad tycoon Henry Huntington, was left as a public trust upon his death in 1927. Situated on 207 acres, Huntington built a mansion to house his rare book and art collection, which he had been amassing since the 1880s.
The Art Gallery houses such gems as Gainsborough’s “Blue
Boy” and Lawrence’s “Pinkie” and also features
special changing exhibitions. The research library is closed to the general
public; however, you are invited to the Library Exhibition Halls. Here
one can view such rarities as a copy of the Gutenburg Bible or an original
manuscript of Chaucer’s Cantebury Tales. The collection of the early
editions of Shakespeare's works is unsurpassed... but it was the gardens
we had come to see.
Huntington began work on the Botanical Gardens in 1903. They now cover 150 acres and contain approximately 15,000 varieties of plants and shrubs from around the world. Temples, fountains, statuary and benches are spread throughout. Areas are devoted to specialized landscapes such as desert, subtropical, rose and Japanese. For instance, the Zen and bonsai courts and the desert garden conservatory. You stroll from one locale to another savoring the incredible beauty and solitude the Huntington gardens have to offer. Wander through a bamboo forest or lounge next to a series of lily ponds. |
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Nestled amongst 3 acres of roses, the Rose Garden Tea Room offers a wonderful English tea. Set in what appears to have been a guesthouse, a pot of tea and scones are served at your table. Then mosey up to a central buffet to help yourself to an array of savory finger sandwiches and other delectables. You can return to the buffet as often as you like and bottomless refills of tea and scones are available upon request. Reservations are required (they suggest 2 week minimum), kids are welcome and there is no dress code… but be considerate.
Our next stop was the new Helen and Peter Bing Children’s Garden. The Children’s Garden draws on the natural elements of earth, light, air, and water. Set within a one-acre site (the word whimsical comes to mind), children aged two to seven can wander amongst 9 kinetic sculptures designed to observe, touch and marvel, stroll into a fog grotto, walk into a circle of mist and be surrounded by small rainbows, build mounds with magnetic sand, and see and feel the effects of sound waves moving through water.
My daughter had a great time, though she is eight and one year out of the target audience. Designed with young children in mind, I saw more than one adult (myself included) frolicking in the fog grotto and checking out the rainbow room. A wonderful new addition to this institution.
The Huntington Library, Art Collections, and Botanical Gardens is a truly special place. Peaceful, beautiful, playful and scholarly all rolled into one. A must-see for all ages.
The Huntington Library,
Art Collections, and
Botanical Gardens
1151 Oxford Road
San Marino, CA 91108
(626) 405-2100
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