One hundred fifty years ago today, Abraham Lincoln signed into law the act that set in motion the development of the first transcontinental railroad across the United States. "Visions of Empire: The Quest for a Railroad Across America, 1840–1880," The Huntington's current major exhibition curated by Peter J. Blodgett

When the halls of academe begin to empty for the summer, the corridors of The Huntington start filling up. University and college faculty members make up a large percentage of the Library's researchers, and when school lets out in June they put away their syllabi

The current exhibition "Visions of Empire: The Quest for a Railroad Across America, 1840–1880" tells the story of the extraordinary achievement and implications of the first transcontinental railroad.

When one thinks of The Huntington's art collections, the works that often come to mind first are Gainsborough's Blue Boy, Lawrence's Pinkie, and the other Grand Manner portraits. And such was probably the case for major postwar American artist Robert Rauschenberg, whose Global Loft (Spread) from 1979

Videre, Latin for to see, is a video series that plays with the idea of re-seeing. The short works featured here are explorations of sights, sounds, and sensing at The Huntington.

Huntington readers and staff have many fond memories of John Steadman, who was a much-loved member of our community for more than 40 years, and whose numerous publications may be found on the Library's shelves.

We are excited to launch In Motion, The Huntington's new video project. It even has its own Vimeo presence and YouTube channel. In Motion will feature a variety of video series that will bring new light to the unique physical spaces

Every now and then, something serendipitous happens and, after all is said and done, you can't help but sit back and marvel a bit. So it happened with a lovely little conversation that turned into a full-blown magazine project

The San Gabriel Valley Orchid Hobbyists will be hosting their annual auction on Thursday, May 17, at the Los Angeles Arboretum and Botanic Garden. The Huntington will be donating orchids, including specimens from the recently acquired S. Robert Weltz Orchid Collection.

Scholars at The Huntington can be a serious lot, but this Saturday you'll be able to catch several of them letting down their hair. The first LitFest Pasadena will feature a panel titled "Letting Down Our Hair: Reader-Friendly Books from the Ivory Tower,"