Huntington’s New Age

“That was a tsunami,” said intern Elsa Greno-Jimenez, describing the wave of eager children that swept through the activities at the new Discovery Cart.

Feeding the koi, collecting water samples from the pond and examining bugs under a microscope are just a few of the fun and educational attractions on and around the cart, the first of several to come to the grounds at the Huntington Library, Art Collections and Botanical Gardens in San Marino.

“Before you would see the parents dragging the kids along,” said Brendan Craughwell, who oversees cart activities. “Now the kids are dragging the parents.”

For more than 60 years, the Huntington has been an oasis in the San Gabriel Valley, an adult playground that didn’t look like a place for children--nor did it try to be. Up until the 1960s, children under 12 weren’t even allowed in the buildings.

Once the elegant estate of railroad baron Henry E. Huntington, the galleries, library exhibits and botanical gardens were opened to the public in 1928, a year after Huntington’s death. Today, the still-magnificent property not only welcomes children, they are the focus of the $33-million, six-part plan to transform the garden into an educational and research facility unlike any other on the West Coast.

The change in direction toward a more child-friendly facility came partly for two reasons: Molly, 6, and Jimmy, 3. They’re the children of Jim Folsom, director of the botanical gardens.

Birth of Own Children Changed Focus

Folsom has toiled at the gardens for 15 years. But it wasn’t until his two children were born that he noticed a gaping void--nothing for children or families.

“We were so adult-oriented, there was the perception of us being a scholarly, maybe somewhat snooty institution,” Folsom said. “The time to foster a love for art and an appreciation for the gardens is when they’re children. The younger you start, the more rich is the experience.”

That’s in tune with the wishes of Henry Huntington, said Susan Lafferty, education manager. Huntington stated clearly that the property was to be used for education and research. In the past, the focus had been almost entirely on research. And although school groups have been coming to the Huntington for decades, there weren’t any offerings specifically for families. If kids came to the gardens on the weekends, there were no activities and nothing to guide parents in making the most of the experience.

That has all changed in the past year, with more to come. The moment parents enter the gates, they can pick up the Family Guide, a brochure that will help lead children on an “educational expedition” through the gardens and galleries. On Saturday mornings during the summer, workshops are held (this Saturday, kids will learn how to plant a salsa garden). The $12 fee includes materials and admission for one child and one adult. Reservations are required. Free drop-in nature crafts are also available the first Saturday of the month.

For the first time, the garden will offer an overnight for children and their parents, on Saturday. A twilight nature walk led by Folsom will focus on night-blooming plants and critters that inhabit the garden after dark. A storyteller will give a presentation and live animals will be part of a talk on the natural history of the area. Registration is $40 a person.

Another highlight--and another first--is the Explorers Program, set for the last week in August. Four age groups will get introductions to just about everything the garden has to offer, such as binding books, exploring the plant world and other hands-on activities. The four-day program runs $95-$100, but scholarships will give kids of all incomes a chance to join.

Plenty of Space Left for Solitude

For adults who have enjoyed the elegance and tranquillity of the gardens for years, there’s no need to worry that hordes of children will be crawling all over the place like ants. About 150 acres of the 207-acre property are open to the public; another 25 will open with the new Botanical Research and Education Complex (which includes a children’s garden, set to open in 2003). With that much space, a little solitude won’t be hard to find. Besides, the children’s attention is directed to satellite areas, where activities are geared to them.

“We didn’t anticipate the need in the community for family programs,” said Karina White, coordinator of youth and family programs. “It’s been pretty wonderful, we keep adding and they keep coming.”

BE THERE

Children’s Garden Workshops, Huntington Library, Art Galleries and Botanical Gardens, 1151 Oxford Road, San Marino. Reservations: (626) 405-2141. Summer hours, Tuesdays-Sundays, 10:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. $8.50; seniors, $7; students with ID and ages 12-18, $5; under 12, free.