The Huntington

Okay, say you are a millionaire. Say that. What would you do with your money? (Okay beyond that first month's shopping spree...come on people work with me here...) Wouldn't you want to leave a legacy for future generations to appreciate? (This is AFTER you buy a new car, remember) Come on, wouldn't you? Well, that's just what Mr. & Mrs. Huntington did! During their lifetimes, they amassed one of the finest research libraries in the world, established a significant art collection and created an array of botanical gardens with plants from around the world on 207 acres just outside Los Angeles. When Henry died in 1927 his estate was kept for people to enjoy. 500,000 people visit every year. This year they can add 3 more to that number because Wendy, Betsy and I took a little fieldtrip to visit. First we visited The Library --it is one of the largest and most complete research libraries in the United States. We saw a Gutenberg Bible, an orginial manuscript of Canterbury Tales and a huge hand painted folio of Audubon's Birds of America to name a few. Everywhere you looked there was something priceless! There are two buildings hosting the art collections. Millions of dollars worth of art are arranged for the public to view - including the most well known -Pinkie and Blue Boy. (Borrowed these photos, no photography in the museums...) Okay, back to being a millionaire. Henry Huntington was a man of vision. Not only did he invest in all the right things, he planned out what his money would buy; he had a special interest in books, art and gardens so that was where his money was focused. Lots of us have special interests like that, but he ACTED on it! So team, let's go out there and think about what OUR legacy will be! "If your actions create a legacy that inspires others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, then, you are an excellent leader." Dolly Parton