The Huntington is a private, nonprofit institution, founded in 1919 by Henry E. Huntington, an exceptional businessman who built a financial empire that included railroad companies, utilities, and real estate holdings in Southern California. It is a great cultural, research, and educational center located in San Marino. Inside you will find a library that is known for being one of the largest and most complete research libraries in the United States filled with collections of rare books and manuscripts in the fields of British and American history. There are three separate art galleries on the Huntington grounds that are distinguished by their specialized character and elegant settings and a fourth space named the MaryLou and George Boone Gallery, that hosts changing exhibitions.
They have a great research facility on the grounds. Scholars come from around the world every year to conduct advanced humanities research using The Huntington’s collections. Through a rigorous peer-review program, the institution awards 120-130 grants to scholars in the fields of history, literature, art, and the history of science.The Huntington’s education programs serve a broad audience and provide enrichment for members of the institution, casual visitors, school teachers, children, and adults. Programs range from lively activities for preschoolers to intensive five-week institutes for K-12 classroom teachers.
Lastly The Huntington has beautiful botanical gardens that are an ever-changing exhibition of color. Covering 120 acres, more than a dozen specialized gardens are arranged within a park-like landscape of rolling lawns. Among the most remarkable are the Desert Garden, the Japanese Garden, the Rose Garden, and the Chinese garden. The camellia collection is one of the largest in the country.
Hours
| Monday | 12 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. |
| Tuesday | Closed |
| Wednesday | 12 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. |
| Thursday | 12 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. |
| Friday | 12 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. |
| Saturday | 10:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. |
| Sunday | 10:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. |
