George Clooney, Robert Downey Jr., Owen Wilson, and Kermit the Frog? Although it may seem like “one of these things is not like the others,” in fact it’s a list of famous movie stars who have filmed at The Huntington. You might have seen Kermit at The Huntington in “The … Continue reading
Camellia season has begun! Early flowering species and cultivars can be seen in bloom in several areas of the gardens, especially in and around the North Vista. The Huntington’s botanical collections include nearly 80 different camellia species—sasanqua, japonica, reticulata, hiemalis, rusticana, vernalis, and tunghinensis, to name just a few—and more … Continue reading
Earlier this month, a group of historians gathered to give thanks to Robert C. Ritchie, the recently retired director of research at The Huntington. “The New Maritime History: A Conference in Honor of Roy Ritchie” paid tribute to a man who not only fostered great research but also conducted a … Continue reading
When potential donors to the Library consider parting with rare books, photos, or letters, they quickly learn that their collection will join nearly 9 million other rare books, manuscripts, and ephemera at The Huntington. What are the odds the public will ever get a chance to glimpse what was precious … Continue reading
Photograph collectors get a glint in their eyes when you mention Carleton Watkins (1829-1916). Named “California’s first major artist” by the Los Angeles Times’ Christopher Knight, the 19th-century American photographer had an extraordinary sense of composition, produced expert, richly toned prints, and captured the beauty of the American West’s natural … Continue reading
In October 1966, a Pentecostal preacher named Reies López Tijerina led a group calling itself La Alianza (the Alliance) in an occupation of Kit Carson National Forest in northern New Mexico. The land was rightfully theirs, they claimed, invoking land grant laws dating back more than five centuries to the … Continue reading
At the opening events late last week for “Ancient Chinese Bronze Mirrors from the Lloyd Cotsen Collection,” a table was set in the corner of the room, covered with a black cloth. Opened on the table under a spotlight shone two sumptuous, richly illustrated and weighty volumes. Together they form … Continue reading
Today is 11-11-11. This year, Veterans Day echoes the original Armistice Day, when World War I ceased at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918. At that time, Anthony Edward Mrazek was a young sailor on the U.S.S. Carola off of Brest, France, where … Continue reading
Only at Home: 2011 Huntington Ranch Symposium The Huntington Library, Art Collections, and Botanical Gardens San Marino, CA. Friday, November 18 2011. Marking the second year of Ranch operations, this one-day symposium focuses on aspects of urban agriculture that can’t be duplicated in commercial settings. From the use of gray … Continue reading
It’s not often that you’ll hear a former Huntington research fellow interview a current research fellow on National Public Radio. But that’s what happened on Morning Edition today when Joe Palca asked Robert Westman about Copernicus’ book On the Revolutions of the Heavenly Spheres (1543), in which the famed astronomer … Continue reading