The Huntington Library, Art Collection, and Botanical Gardens are located in the affluent community of San Marino, at the edge of Pasadena. The estate was once the residence of railroad and utility magnate, Henry E. Huntington, who played a pivotal role in developing the San Gabriel Valley. He purchased the property in 1903 and constructed the mansion on the grounds in 1911.

Art, Ancient Manuscripts, and Exotic Plants

Huntington’s second wife, Arabella, significantly contributed to their mansion’s world-class collection of British and French art, which informs much of the current art collection on exhibit in the house and galleries.
Their extensive collection required the addition of a new building, completed in 1921, to accommodate thousands of first editions, historic documents, and volumes on the American West.
Landscape gardener William Hertrich transformed farmland into beautiful gardens, showcasing diverse botanical specimens from native LA plants, local desert species, and exotic plants from across the globe. After Huntington’s death in 1928, his foundation opened the Huntington Library, Art Collections, and Botanical Gardens to the public, attracting visitors worldwide.

The Huntington Library, Art Collections, and Botanical Gardens
1151 Oxford Road
San Marino, CA 91108
(626) 405-2100

Collections

In contrast to local public libraries, the Huntington Library houses an impressive 5 million works, including books, manuscripts, and photographs related to American and British history, literature, and art, primarily accessible only to visiting scholars and researchers by special arrangement. However, the Library Galleries, which are open to the public, showcase notable pieces along with rotating exhibits.
A highlight of the permanent exhibit is an original illuminated Latin Gutenberg Bible from around 1455, one of only 12 surviving vellum copies from the original prints made by Johann Gutenberg in Mainz, Germany. Only one volume of the two-volume set is displayed at any given time.
Additional treasures include the 15th century Ellesmere manuscript of Chaucer’s The Canterbury Tales and early editions of Shakespeare’s works, along with personal letters from renowned authors such as Charlotte Bronte, Henry David Thoreau, and Walt Whitman, shedding light on the history of American literature.

Huntington Library Art Galleries

The Huntington Art Gallery resides in the Georgian mansion built in 1911. Unlike nearby establishments, the Huntington focuses on a carefully curated collection of French and British art, featuring prominent Grand Manner portraits by Gainsborough and Reynolds. Among the most famous, Gainsborough’s Blue Boy and Lawrence’s Pinkie are prominently displayed together in the mansion.
The Virginia Steel Scott Gallery of American Art presents American painting, sculpture, and decorative arts history from the late 17th century to the mid-20th century. Key pieces include Copley’s The Western Brothers and Cassatt’s Breakfast in Bed.
Dibner Hall of the History of Science in the Library features the exhibit Beautiful Science: Ideas that Changed the World, which explores scientific milestones from Ptolemy to Einstein across four galleries.

Botanical Gardens

The Botanical Gardens at the Huntington are among the Most Beautiful Gardens of Los Angeles. While many visitors to the Huntington focus exclusively on the gardens, which feature over 14,000 varieties of plants, it is important to acknowledge the stunning indoor exhibits. The gardens encompass 120 acres of themed landscapes, including the Lily Ponds, the Palm Garden, and the Japanese Garden designed by William Hertrich.
Noteworthy areas include the Shakespeare Garden, the Jungle Garden, and the Children’s Garden, enhancing the overall exploration experience. The Chinese Garden, the largest planned garden outside of China, continues to develop its ongoing phases.

Garden Statuary

Henry Huntington personally selected the placement of each statue within the original gardens. Many sculptures from the 17th and 18th centuries reflect classical designs, and the limestone statues flanking the North Vista depict mythical and folkloric characters.

Rose Garden Tea Room and Cafe

Tea at the Rose Garden Tea Room offers a delightful mix of traditional and informal experiences. Guests can enjoy English Afternoon Tea featuring scones and cucumber sandwiches in a casual buffet setting. It is recommended to make reservations two weeks in advance.
Additionally, the separate Cafe serves lighter fare including sandwiches and grilled items with outdoor seating options for a relaxing break during your visit.