Posted on Tue., April 15, 2025
Key Takeaways
- Scholars Grove will provide 33 residential units arranged in seven one- and two-story buildings, along with a commons building designed to foster interdisciplinary collaboration.
- The project addresses long-standing housing challenges for The Huntington’s visiting research fellows.
- A $40 million charitable gift from the late philanthropist and longtime Huntington supporter Charles T. Munger fully funds the initiative.
The Huntington is developing Scholars Grove, a residential community designed to support visiting fellows conducting research in the institution’s renowned collections. This new housing initiative will strengthen The Huntington’s nationally recognized fellowship program by providing reasonably priced accommodations and encouraging interdisciplinary collaboration.
“For more than 20 years, housing for The Huntington’s research fellows has been a pressing challenge,” President Karen R. Lawrence said. “While we have offered prestigious fellowships, the lack of housing has prevented some early-career scholars and faculty at under-resourced institutions from accepting them. The development of Scholars Grove marks a major milestone in our five-year strategic plan to broaden access to our world-class collections.”
A $40 million gift from the late Charles T. Munger, a philanthropist and longtime Huntington supporter, made Scholars Grove possible. Munger, who contributed the lead gift to fund the Steven S. Koblik Education and Visitor Center in 2013 and the lead gift to fund the Charles T. Munger Research Center in 2004, was a steadfast advocate for The Huntington’s mission to advance research and scholarship.
A Vibrant Academic Community
Each year, The Huntington awards more than 150 research fellowships, the majority of which are short-term grants lasting one to three months. Scholars Grove will enable The Huntington to broaden its fellowship offerings with the recent introduction of medium-term fellowships lasting four to five months. Approximately two dozen long-term fellowships, typically lasting nine months, are awarded annually. Long-term fellows will receive priority for Scholars Grove housing, but short- and mid-term fellows will also be eligible based on unit availability. The Huntington anticipates that all housing units will be occupied year-round.
The new residential community will provide a focal point for Huntington research fellows, creating spaces for cross-disciplinary conversations that will spark new insights and collaborations.
“Scholars Grove is about more than research; it’s about sustaining a vibrant academic community,” said Susan Juster, W.M. Keck Foundation Director of Research at The Huntington. “Former fellows often credit their peers, including those outside their fields, with transforming their work in profound ways. This kind of exchange is the lifeblood of the humanities. The Huntington has long been a gathering place for scholars, and this residential community will deepen opportunities for collaboration in an inspiring setting.”
Thoughtful Design, Seamless Integration
Designed in collaboration with Van Tilburg, Banvard & Soderbergh, AIA (VTBS Architects), Scholars Grove will be seamlessly integrated into The Huntington’s historic landscape by the development and construction firm Greystar. Located near the northern section of the institution’s orange groves, the residential community will be connected to The Huntington’s grounds and be accessible through an early 20th-century gate on Orlando Road.
The project design incorporates and preserves 150 trees, including a Magnolia pacifica tarahumara (the only known mature specimen in North America), several historic oaks, and a research grove of avocado trees—one of which dates to founder Henry E. Huntington’s time.
Thirty-three residential units will be arranged in seven one- and two-story buildings that surround a shared green space. A one-story commons building—named after Wendy Munger, daughter of Charles Munger and a Huntington Trustee emerita—will serve as a central hub for gatherings, fostering academic and interdisciplinary exchanges.
For more information, visit huntingon.org/scholars-grove.
For media inquiries or to request high-res press images, email huntingtonnews@huntington.org.
About The Huntington
The Huntington, a world-renowned cultural and educational institution, provides transformative experiences for a community of the curious. Founded in 1919 by Henry E. and Arabella Huntington, it supports research and promotes public engagement through its expansive library, art, and botanical collections. By cultivating dynamic scholarship, creating innovative programs for students and lifelong learners, and sharing its extraordinary resources, The Huntington invites all on a journey of discovery, insight, and connection. Only 12 miles from downtown Los Angeles, The Huntington is located at 1151 Oxford Road, San Marino, California. Learn more at huntington.org.