Gift Shop Closing Early Thursday
The Gift Shop will close at 6 p.m. on Thursday for a private function. It will resume its regular operating hours on Friday. We apologize for the inconvenience.
Expanded Labor Day Weekend hours
Summer is winding down with the three-day Labor Day weekend. Some of Descanso's most popular attractions will have special holiday hours.
- The Boddy House will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday.
- The Enchanted Railroad will be running these four days as well from 10 a.m. to 3:45 p.m.
- Tram and shuttle service will be available to the Boddy House all weekend.
Celebrate Labor Day in 'Boddy's Big Backyard'
Celebrate Labor Day in style and send summer packing at a party that recalls the legendary shindigs hosted by Descanso’s original owner E. Manchester Boddy.
Descanso Gardens will put out the welcome mat for “Boddy’s Big Backyard” with fun for young and old from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 6.
At 10 a.m., take a guided walk of the California Natives Garden with Horticulturist Rachel Young, who will showcase improved access to this favorite garden. The walk begins at the Center Circle. Gather youngsters in the Under the Oaks Theater for a reading of “Teddy Bears’ Picnic” at 12:30 p.m.
Ground breaks on Sturt Haaga Gallery of Art
'Green' exhibit space expected to open in Spring 2011
The much-anticipated construction is under way on the new Sturt Haaga Gallery of Art at Descanso Gardens. The groundbreaking ceremony was Friday, July 9. It is the first major new construction at the botanical garden since the Rose Garden was installed in 1994.
Gardens and artwork go together like Monet and water lilies. The Sturt Haaga Gallery of Art brings fine art back into the Descanso landscape. As befits its setting in a botanical garden, the new art gallery will be “green” inside and out – from roof and walls landscaped with living plants to environmentally sensitive building materials and an innovative water reclamation system. The project will expand the existing Boddy House garage and include an attached new structure.
The Sturt Haaga Gallery of Art is expected to welcome its first visitors in Spring 2011. The project is designed by Frederick Fisher and Partners of Los Angeles.
The gallery was made possible by a $2.1 million gift from Heather Sturt Haaga and Paul G. Haaga Jr. of La Cañada Flintridge. It is the largest single donation made to Descanso Gardens. The Haagas are longtime Descanso supporters, as well as benefactors to many Southern California cultural institutions. Mrs. Haaga is the Chairman of the Descanso Gardens Board of Trustees.
“We think Descanso Gardens is an important part of the immediate community and of the greater community, which is Los Angeles County,” Mrs. Haaga said. “This wonderful oasis is not just a garden but a museum of living collections. It is a place that is poised to go from good to great, and Paul and I love to support places on the cusp, places that are on the edge of greatness and just need the financial support and belief that this is possible and will, indeed, happen.”
