On Sunday, May 6, between the hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., the Altadena Guild of Huntington Memorial Hospital will host its 61st Annual Home Tour. The walking tour, located in thebeautiful heart of Midlothian Drive at the intersection of Midwick Drive, will feature four unique Altadena homes, two of which were built in 1930. The theme this year, “The Heart of Midlothian ~ Home Is Where the Heart Is,” is also in celebration of the 60th anniversary of theHuntington Medical Research Institute.
In 1878, Englishman William Allen purchased a 502 acre tract of land bordering Eaton Canyon and extending westward to Allen Avenue, east to what is now North Altadena Drive and south to New York Drive. The property, which the new owners called Sphinx Ranch, originally contained a 50 acre vineyard and a small commercial winery. Development of the area began in1920.
The residents of these lovely homes, which include a Monterey Colonial, a Monterey Spanish Revival by architect Wallace Neff, a Georgian Colonial Revival and a single story Contemporary, graciously agreed to open their homes for the Guild’s annual fundraiser. Spectacular flower arrangements by Guild members will be featured in each home. Complimentary dessert and beverage will be served at The Tea Garden in one of the gardens on tour. Vendors will display unique fine art, jewelry and pottery, along with homemade baked goods available for purchase at The Bakery. Refreshments and sandwiches will also be available at The Altadini Bar. Music will be provided by a number of local artists including members of the Pasadena Scots, Crown City Springs and the Scottish Fiddlers.
Founded in 1952, the Altadena Guild of HMH has partnered with the Huntington Memorial Hospital and the Huntington Medical Research Institute (HMRI) to provide philanthropic support for them. The guild donates to the hospital scholarship fund, the Appearance Center at the Huntington Memorial Hospital Cancer Center, as well as to their main beneficiary whichis HMRI. Today HMRI has nine research programs that are directed to the development of new advances in the diagnosis and treatment of breast, colon, and prostate cancer, stroke, heart disease, epilepsy, profound deafness, liver diseases, migraine headache, sleep apnea and brain diseases including Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s. The scientists and physicians have applied new knowledge and technology to make tomorrow’s medicine better than the best we have today.
Cost of tickets for the Home Tour is $25 in advance and $35 on the day of the tour. The tickets can be purchased at local businesses in Altadena including Altadena Hardware on Mariposa a tLake Ave., Webster’s Pharmacy at 2450 North Lake Ave. or at the Huntington Hospital Gift Shop at 100 W. California Blvd. in Pasadena. For more information and to buy tickets online visit the Altadena Guild of HMH website at www.altadenaguild.org or call (626) 304-4678.
