About
A Message from President Karen Lawrence
The Huntington as a Gathering Place
This spring, with the bursting forth of wisteria, puyas, and then roses, among other eye-popping delights, we also welcome the reopening of our iconic and beloved Rose Garden Tea Room, shuttered by COVID in March 2020 and then kept offline for three years as it underwent a major renovation project.
The results are stunning, and we look forward to sharing them with you (the Tea Room officially opens for dining on May 24; reservations can be made on OpenTable beginning May 10).
The Tea Room—renowned as a special spot for birthdays, bridal and baby showers, and other milestone celebrations—has, in fact, been a gathering place for its entire existence, as it once served as Henry E. Huntington’s billiard room and bowling alley. While exterior photographs from the period exist, sadly, no pictures of the interior remain. But we know from various records and from the physical shape of the building that the billiards and card room occupied the large space with the fireplace at the front of the building, where the tearoom is situated. The two-lane bowling alley occupied the back of the building, where the long, galley-style kitchen now sits. more
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
The Huntington’s diversity, equity, and inclusion strategic plan is fully focused on the intent of the founders and our commitment to preserve, build, and share our treasured collections for the benefit of a global community. Together, we will nurture a culture of belonging and excellence that is fundamental to this place we hold so dear.
Community Partnerships
More than 6,000 people engage with The Huntington’s collections each year through active community partnerships with organizations in Los Angeles and the surrounding area. At The Huntington, we see community engagement as a critical way to build a more inclusive cultural institution.
The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens shares its world-renowned collections to support scholarship, foster learning, inspire creativity, and offer transformative experiences for diverse audiences.
What We’re Working On
The Desert Garden Improvement Project will open new areas of the upper Desert Garden, showcasing more of this world-renowned collection with the construction of new pathways, a renovated Desert Conservatory with all-new infrastructure, and greatly improved horticultural conditions to create new opportunities for learning and enjoyment.
The Huntington is renovating and expanding its beloved historic Rose Garden Tea Room, restoring the front of the original 1911 building while improving functionality in its service areas and creating a new outdoor dining experience with breathtaking views.
The Huntington is adding to its renowned Japanese Garden a 320-year-old house from Marugame, Japan. The well-preserved structure is an exquisite example of a working magistrate’s residence that once served as the center of village life and home to generations of the same family.