Barbara Motin

For Barbara Motin, it was a guest pass that opened her eyes and heart to The Huntington. As a transplant to Pasadena by way of Missouri, Barbara had never heard of The Huntington until one day a client gave her a special gift: a guest pass to The Huntington. All it took was one visit for her to fall in love. “I was amazed by the awesome experience; the art galleries, the gardens, and the staff were incredible,” says Barbara. At the end of her visit that day, she became a member because she knew that The Huntington was a place she would want to revisit often. Morning strolls around the gardens became a regular part of her week, often with her daughter, Jessica, who also shares a passion for libraries and works as a page at the Pasadena Public Library.

Over the years, Barbara’s interest grew. She wanted to learn more about The Huntington’s new garden projects, the fascinating art galleries, and to better understand the life of Mr. and Mrs. Huntington. This year Barbara retired from the business she started 40 years ago. Now, with the pandemic, she is spending more time at home and participating in all the online programs that The Huntington has to offer. It was after attending a Scholarly Sustenance program online that Barbara decided to join the Society of Fellows, The Huntington’s premier group of philanthropic donors.

“The wealth of knowledge The Huntington provides me as a life-long learner, and the educational opportunities it provides to students and future scholars, inspired me,” says Barbara. “The Huntington truly has everything. It is a place to learn, relax, and enjoy.”

The Society of Fellows began in 1973 with 80 local households. Today, almost 50 years later, the Society of Fellows has grown to more than 600 households from throughout Southern California and the country.

Fellows enjoy a wide range of specially curated activities that showcase the collections, curators, scholars, and staff. The Society of Fellows annually contributes over $5 million to The Huntington's operating budget. The minimum annual contribution per household is $2,500. To learn more and become a part of this philanthropic community, please contact Pamela Hearn, director of the Society of Fellows, at 626-405-2264 or phearn@huntington.org.