A limited outing to Huntington Library during the pandemic

Even though it was a limited outing to Huntington Library during the pandemic, I was happy to be able to attend and enjoy the beautiful scenes. Actually, it’s all happened because I saw the news that the Chinese Garden was open. The new part they rebuild. The last time I was in Huntington Library was a year ago. I was at a Rose Garden tea party with a friend. At that time, I spent almost all day to see as much as I can after the tea. Obviously, Huntington Library is a well-known place. And unlike many museums or galleries I visit, its’ parking is free. So if you can consider that, the entrance fee they charge, I feel, makes up for it. If you are a member, you can go without paying the entrance fee.

I visited two times ever since the Chinses Garden opened. The first was to see the reopen, reextended Chinses Garden, and the second time was to see the Austrian Garden. It was a limited outing due to covid19, and I didn’t spend as much time with my first visit. However, I was so happy to be able to out and be able to enjoy beautiful nature. Before I share about my visit, let’s find out a bit of the history of Huntington Library first.

The day I went to see the Chinese Garden was beautiful. It was very sunny that I had to take my sweater off. Everybody was wearing masks. The second time I saw the Austrian garden, it was chilly, but I dressed for it.

History of Huntington Library

Henry Edwards Huntington (1850-1927) was a landowner and played a major role in Southern California’s growth. He was an heir of railroad tycoons Collis Huntington. Huntington was actually located from San Francisco to Los Angeles. When he relocated, he bought a property of more than 500 acres known as San Marino Ranch at that time. And he went on to purchase other large tracts of land in the Pasadena and Los Angeles area for urban and suburban development.

Arabella Huntington (1851-1924), Huntington’s 2nd wife, influenced his artistic interests largely. He benefited from a post-World War I European market that was “ready to sell almost anything.” Before his death in 1927, Huntington amassed “far and away from the greatest group of 18th century British portraits ever assembled by anyone man”. And for Huntington’s will, the collection, then worth $50 million, was opened to the public in 1928.

On October 17, 1985, a fire erupted in an elevator shaft of the Huntington Art Gallery and destroyed Sir Joshua Reynolds’ 1777 portrait of Mrs. Edwin Lascelles. After a year-long, $1 million refurbishing project, the Huntington Gallery reopened in 1986. Most of the funds for the cleanup and refurbishing of the Georgian mansion and its artworks came from donations from the Michael J. Connell Foundation, corporations, and individuals. Both the Federal art-supporting establishment of the National Endowment for the Arts and the National and the National Endowment of the Humanities gave emergency grants as well. You can find out more about it here. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Huntington_Library

What’s makes Huntington Library

Because of the Pandemic, I had limited outings to the Huntington Library; however, Huntington Library has art collections, botanical gardens, and much more. Really, we can spend all day and many more days. Every time I go back, I always find things I missed. It really has so much to offer.

Due to Covid19, there are many areas closed. However, if it is a normal situation, I could see hundreds of rare materials in the Library Exhibition Hall, grand manner portraits and exquisite objects of art in the Huntington Art Gallery and Scott Galleries of American Art, a botanical conservatory, and acres of spectacular gardens in between!

There are 16 themed gardens in the Huntington Library. https://www.huntington.org/gardens I am mainly going to tell you to reopen part of the Chinese Garden and Austrian Garden due to limited outings to Huntington Garden because of the pandemic. And those gardens I saw while I was visiting.

Chinese Garden

The new additional Chinese garden was opened on October 9, 2020. Chinese garden expanded additional 11.5 acres. And of course, because of covid 19, it was delayed for the opening; however, it was well worth waiting. The first thing I noticed right away was how well their pebble mosaics were. Throughout the pathway, it displayed different designs to walk on. There were many orchids displayed throughout, and the bridge view was fantastic.

There were Stargazing Tower and calligraphy scholar’s studio that we couldn’t enter. Chinese Garden and Japanese Garden are closely located. You can either go to the Chinese Garden and go to the Japanese Garden or the Japanese Garden and then the Chinese Garden. Of course, you have to pass by the Rose Garden regardless of where you want to go.

Because of the connection between the Japanese Garden and the Chinese Garden, I enjoyed the Japanese Garden as well. Displays of the bonsai collection and the ceremonial teahouse. Going toward the Japanese Garden, there was a huge rock covered with red painting on the tip, which I thought very interesting.

Australian Garden

After a few weeks, I was able to go back to the Huntington Library. At this time, I wanted to see the Australian Garden, and I didn’t spend that much time. The weather was a bit chilly compared to when I went to see the Chinese Garden. The other thing was the Australian Garden sign was very confusing until we figured out that the Garden was below the hilltop, and we were passing by many times, not realizing it. However, there was another lily pond that we ended up with through the confusion, and we saw Koi fish and a turtle. I was pleased about it. Turtle (In Hawaii called Honu) symbolizes good luck, wisdom, and long life.

What I wore for the outing

What I wore for Sunday limited outing to the Huntington Library? There is always for the occasion that I need to dress up, but this type of outing is not the type of outing I will dress up. I am usually very casual for this type of outings: jeans, T-shirts, warm-up sweaters, or jean jackets. Of course, I am not fond of wearing flats, but I have to since I know I will walk a lot. So the first Chinese Garden outing, I wore casual J Crew olive green pants with a yellow crop top with a cropped sweater. The second time, for Australian Garden, I wore a lace red top, leather short pants, and a casual olive green jacket. I wore comfortable flats both times, knowing I would walk a lot. I also carried hand free handbags. It was convenient since I took many pictures and was able to use both hands. Of course, since I am a hat lover, I wore hats both times.

causal jackets

hand free handbags

Patio dining after visit

After a long walk, taking pictures, enjoy nature, obviously, we were tired so went for a wonderful dinner at the Japanese restaurant called Sushi Enya in Pasadena. At that time, we were still allowed to have patio dining. However, with minimal tables and the restaurant not making a reservation, we were lucky to get the table. We were there almost right after the opening hour. It was already crowded, and only one table left. What a lucky day! Nowadays, with what’s going on, support a small local business can come in many different ways.

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What I learned a limited outing to Huntington Library

So what do I learned from a limited outing to Huntington Library? I felt that people visiting Huntington Library are different types of crowd. People who appreciate art and responsible. They all kept social distancing and followed the direction arrows to stay in an orderly manner. I know the Huntington Library is supposed to close by 5 p.m. and I don’t know how Huntington Library can control but I am sure everybody was out by then.

There is no one way to judge people, appreciate art come with all forms and shape, yet, I think people have their opinions and ways to express themselves. I saw children, adults, people with tattoos, people with funky hair colors. Whatever it is, art lives and it’s a great feeling to be able to see and forget about what’s happening around us. I know we have to pay attention to what’s happening but it’s equally important to enjoy nature and recharge ourselves. I was so grateful.

In case if you missed my last post, here it is. https://fashionbykukanaana.com/how-to-dress-up-for-a-small-holiday-gathering/ Thank you for dropping by my blog today. I post every Monday and Thursday, so please visit again. I am also on Instagram, where I post every day and for shopping ideas, please visit http://liketoknow.it/fashionbykukanaana.

Stay safe and do what makes you happy 🎈🎈🎈

PS: If you like to visit the Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens, you must make a reservation. Even though it will be a limited outing due to covid19, you will enjoy it. Depending on when you visit, whether weekdays or weekends, the fee to enter will $21-$29.