Regular World History Syllabus                             US History Syllabus        

College Trip             US History Huntington Trip

Trip of the Month

HUNTINGTON GARDENS:   Interested in strolling through a traditional Japanese Garden, wandering around an opulent European estate, or visiting the desert country of Mexico?  The Huntington Gardens offers this and so much more.   Rose garden, Zen garden, Jungle garden---countless movies and commercials have been filmed here using these various settings.   When Henry E. Huntington, one of California's most powerful capitalists, purchased this property in 1903, it was only a citrus ranch.   Huntington felt it was the most beautiful location in the world.     He wanted to prove that the land and climate of Southern California could grow any kind of plant from around the globe.   For 25 years, gardeners shaped the land, prepared the harsh desert soil and brought in hundreds of thousands of plants.   Huntington not only collected rare plants, but also rare books and paintings.   His mansion and library were designed to showcase these collections, and today the public is invited to wander the house and estate.    Come put yourself in a millionaire's shoes:  visit the world-renowned Huntington Gardens today.

EXTRA CREDIT ASSIGNMENT:   100 points possible

·      Research the place on the internet using   http://www.huntington.org

·      Bring someone to the Huntington Gardens in San Marino.

·      Have the person take the 5 photographs described below.

·      Write a TWO-page essay describing your visit.

HUNTINGTON GARDENS  INFORMATION:  Call  626-405-2240

Visiting Hours:     Mon, Wed, Thurs and Fri, Noon-4:30pm    Sat--Sun, 10:30 to 4:30 pm. 

                           CLOSED Tuesday and Holidays  (Special Holiday Hours check website for details)

Admission:  $10.00 for students w/ I.D.     $15.00 for adults ($20 on weekends and Monday Holidays)   Admission is free to all visitors on the first Thursday of every month with advanced tickets.

                 DIRECTIONS:   

·      Take the 10 west to the 605 north, go north on the 605 to the 210 west.

·      Exit the 210 Freeway at Allen Ave. and turn left (south) under the freeway.

·      Allen Ave. ends at the entrance to Huntington Gardens

·      Driving Time is 30 minutes.    Expect to spend no less than 90 minutes there.

HUNTINGTON GARDENS PHOTO TOUR INSTRUCTIONS:  

As soon as you arrive at the Huntington, find a map of the gardens, so you'll be able to find the following locations and plan a strategy for visiting them quickly.  They are not in the best order below.  Photo stops are spread out all over -- make sure you bring someone who can keep up with you.  Photos must have you in them or they will not count.  Each photo is worth 20 points when submitted with the short essay.

PHOTO #1     A picture of you standing at the back (view side) of the Art Gallery

                        (Huntington Mansion) on the large terrace next to the house.

PHOTO #2     A picture of you in front of a barrel cactus at the desert garden.

PHOTO #3     A picture of you in front of the Moon Bridge at the Japanese garden.

PHOTO #4     A picture of you at the Zen Rock Garden. 

PHOTO #5     A picture of you in front of the big fountain at the end of the North Vista.

ESSAY QUESTION:   After reading the website information, what details did you most want to discover on your own?    Describe your hike through the grounds.   What was your favorite area of the Huntington?---Be specific.    Does the area make you feel good about living in Southern California?  Write two paragraphs about the history of the place (DO NOT COPY FROM BROCHURES or the internet). What does this place teach you about early capitalists?   What was Henry Huntington trying to prove with his gardens?    If you went to both places on this sheet, which did you prefer and why?    (2 page minimum.)