President’s Message: Navigating Tragedy Together

January 10, 2025

This week has tested the resilience of our community in ways we never imagined. So many of our staff, colleagues, and community have lost their homes, have been displaced, have seen familiar and beloved landscapes razed, and all of us are feeling the impact in one way or another. As we navigate these tragic times, I am with you in heart and action, deeply moved by the challenges we face together.

At The Huntington, we find a glimmer of fortune—our buildings have sustained only minor damage, though we have lost several trees that are part of our botanical collection. We are immensely grateful to our emergency staff, who are assessing and protecting our collections and working on repairs and clearing debris as conditions allow.

Within our staff, volunteer, and donor communities, many have asked how they can help The Huntington and our staff. Today we are establishing The Huntington Disaster Relief Fund for impacted staff and collections.

We hope to reopen to the public, volunteers, and readers on Wednesday, January 15, and will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates. We look forward to the time when The Huntington can once again serve as a place of respite and solace.

Sincerely yours,

Karen