Opening Hours
Daily: 10 A.M.–5 P.M.
Closed on Tuesdays
1151 Oxford Road
San Marino, CA 91108
This Land Is ...
As the United States approaches its 250th anniversary in 2026, The Huntington has launched THIS LAND IS …, a sweeping multiyear initiative that invites visitors to reflect on the American story through the lens of land. Anchored by the tagline “Reflections for America at 250,” the initiative draws on The Huntington’s library, art, and botanical collections to spotlight relationships between land, United States history, and American identities.
Exhibitions | Events | Stories
The initiative’s title references the iconic 1940s folk song “This Land Is Your Land” by Woody Guthrie. The ellipsis in THIS LAND IS … invites reflection on land as both a geographical and metaphorical space of promise, struggle, and belonging.
Launched in fall 2025 and continuing through 2027, THIS LAND IS … unfolds across gallery reinterpretations, a major exhibition and companion publication, a renovated garden space, and public and educational programs.
“At a time when the public places trust in cultural institutions to help navigate complex issues, we are committed to honoring that responsibility as we reflect on the nation’s founding,” said Karen R. Lawrence, president of The Huntington. “THIS LAND IS … draws on the breadth of our collections to explore the centrality of land as both common and contested ground. The ellipsis in the title is intentional—it reminds us that the story is unfinished, and that we each have a role in shaping what comes next.”
Exhibitions and Experiences
"This Land Is ..." Exhibition
Sun., June 14, 2026–Mon., Jan. 11, 2027
In dialogue with the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, the exhibition brings together diverse perspectives on the relationship between nature and nation, and how the ideals of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness are intertwined with place.
Oak Meadow
Named in honor of our national tree, this expansive landscape will bridge the Virginia Steele Scott Galleries of American Art, the MaryLou and George Boone Gallery, and The Rose Hills Foundation Conservatory for Botanical Science. Designed as a welcoming gathering space, Oak Meadow features California native plants alongside North American species adapted to Southern California’s distinctive climate, as well as iconic American trees.
Borderlands
Sat., Nov. 20, 2021–Thu., Nov. 20, 2036
A portion of The Huntington’s American art collection is contextualized with contributions from contemporary artists in “Borderlands,” a new permanent collections installation that explores a more expansive view of American art history.
Reimagined American Art Galleries
Sun., Sept. 21, 2025–Thu., Nov. 20, 2036
Discover seven newly unveiled galleries of American art.
This Land Is ...
Programs & Events
A suite of public programs accompanies the initiative, fostering civic reflection and cross-generational dialogue on the American story through the lens of land.
Media Coverage
“This Land Is ...” is listed in Hyperallergic's “15 Art Shows to See in Los Angeles This Summer”.
June 2, 2026
Videos and Recorded Programs
Continuing the Story: The Art of Mustafa Ali Clayton
Videos and Recorded Programs
Why It Matters: Ava DuVernay in Conversation with Karen R. Lawrence
THIS LAND IS ... FIELD NOTES ON AMERICAN GROUND
A richly illustrated companion book titled This Land Is …: Field Notes on American Ground features a diverse roster of writers, scientific and humanities scholars, and artists who reflect on the theme of the land and their relation to it. Edited by Josh Garrett-Davis, H. Russell Smith Foundation Curator of Western American History, and Linde B. Lehtinen, Philip D. Nathanson Senior Curator of Photography, the volume includes a foreword by Huntington President Karen R. Lawrence.
Contributors include Lonnie G. Bunch III, secretary of the Smithsonian Institution; historians Natalia Molina and Claudio Saunt; authors Terry Tempest Williams, Jamaica Kincaid, and Lisa See; graphic novelists Kiku Hughes and Julie Fiveash (Diné); and artists Sandy Rodriguez and Mercedes Dorame (Tongva). The publication is illustrated with historical documents, photographs, and artworks, including a foldout of one of The Huntington’s unique 1776 printings of the Declaration of Independence. This Land Is … (ISBN: 978-0-87328-274-1, $45) will be distributed worldwide by the University of Pennsylvania Press beginning in June 2026.
Sponsors
The Huntington’s THIS LAND IS … initiative is made possible through major support from The Fletcher Jones Foundation and Stewart R. Smith, Robin A. Ferracone, Logan Smith, and Tracy Beetler through The H. Russell Smith Foundation. Generous support for this initiative is also provided by LeeAnn and Ronald Havner through the JCS Foundation.
