Public Eye: Charging admission at the Huntington

In my Sunday column about the "Beauty of Science" exhibit at the Huntington Library, I made an offhand comment about attendance being strong at the San Marino bastion of Anglophilia and high culture despite the recession and despite its several years ago instituting an admissions charge, which I called a "formerly controversial decision."

An old friend begs to disagree. As he wrote me without giving permission to use his name with his comments, I won't, for now. If he writes back and gives me the OK, I'll do an update, as I prefer unanonymous commentary. His side of the story:

"As far as I am concerned, it is still controversial that the Huntington charges admission.

"The trust language required admission to be free.

"Go ahead and ask the Huntington to send you a copy of the original trust. They won't do it.

"That is not exactly the story of transparency that renders the issue 'formerly' controversial.

"I have learned that admission is about 15 percent of Huntington revenues. Important, but not make or break. They have been building and enlarging for years at the Huntington, while keeping the public out through exorbitant admission fees. Do you get a whiff of empire building, rather than public service?"

Comments

I remember when both the Huntington and Lacey Park were freely accessible to the public, many many years ago. My family and I used to go all the time when I was a child. I always thought they changed the rules and put up the fences to keep the Mexicans out. (I am Mexican).

Posted by: Anonymous | December 27, 2008 4:50 PM

Osvaldo fail!!

Kind Regards
Elvis
http://handy-insurance.info

Posted by: dimond insurance | November 19, 2010 11:50 AM

I needed the insight and here's where I found it.

Posted by: tik tok srok | December 16, 2010 10:19 PM

Not only will these floor mats protect your carpet from mud and outside particles, but you won't have to be concerned about meals stains, drink spills or dust from resources. Your vehicle will seem a whole lot far better with the floor mats, although safeguarding it at the same time. The variety of protection that would function greatest for a truck that is currently being used for heavy duty operate would be the thick rubber ground mats. These rubber mats resist stains very well, and are not tough to clear; they can be rinsed with water hose as lengthy as you clean them although spills are contemporary. Following hosing them down and letting them air dry or drying them with a towel you are all set to put them back inside your truck.

Posted by: elektronische zigarette | December 17, 2010 9:13 PM

There is obviously far more to know about it as I expected. I like to stress that you have made some good points in your posting.

Posted by: credit score report | December 18, 2010 7:07 AM

Many thanks for the marvelous blog posting! I found your post very interesting, I believe you are a excellent writer. I added your blog to my bookmarks and will return in the futureto your blog. Keep up that exciting job, have a great daytime!

Posted by: seotons concours | December 18, 2010 7:32 AM

I'm thrilled you took the time and wrote that post :)

Thanks,

Davidoff Grand Cru 3

Posted by: Reba Johnson | December 22, 2010 8:54 PM

Great post! I want to see a follow up on this topic :)

Thank you

cigars

Posted by: Anthony Suarez | December 23, 2010 2:18 PM

Great read! You may want to follow up on this topic?

berlin chat nummer

Posted by: Walker Sands | December 24, 2010 1:14 PM