ce

nt

er

& e

st

at

e g

uid

e

Sunnylands invites you to discover and experience

the Annenberg legacy.

CENTER & GARDENS SUNNYL ANDS

Sunnylands was the winter home of Walter and Leonore Annenberg.

Walter Annenberg (1908-2002) was a communications entrepreneur, diplomat, and philanthropist. His company, Triangle Publications Inc., published the Philadelphia Inquirer, Seventeen, TV Guide and broadcast American Bandstand.

He founded schools of communications at the University of Pennsylvania and the University of Southern California.

Under President Nixon he served as Ambassador to the Court of St. James’s (United Kingdom) from 1969 to 1974.

Leonore Annenberg (1918-2009) served as Chief of Protocol under President Reagan from 1981 to 1982. The consummate hostess, she welcomed world leaders and entertainment icons to Sunnylands for over forty years.

During their more than fifty years of marriage, the Annenbergs were among the world’s most generous philanthropists, donating to a wide variety of cultural and educational organizations.

A love of art resulted in a renowned art collection. Their Impressionist and Post-Impressionist paintings were donated to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City where they are on permanent exhibition.

Ab

ove

Leo

nore

and

Wal

ter

Ann

enb

erg

pos

e in

fron

t of

the

ir A

. Q

uinc

y Jo

nes-

des

igne

d h

ome.

Pho

togr

aph

by

Glo

ria E

tting

. 1

96

8.

w w w . s u n n y l a n d s . o r g

wa

lt

er

& l

eo

no

re

an

ne

nb

er

g

For more than forty years, presidents of the United States, heads of state, and leaders from government, business, science, and the arts found an oasis for reflection, relaxation, hospitality, and conversation at Sunnylands.

The Annenbergs directed that Sunnylands be used to advance world peace and facilitate international agreement by continuing the tradition of convening private retreats to discuss how problems could be resolved, difficulties overcome, and solutions reached. Additionally, it was their desire that the public should have access to Sunnylands to learn about its unique place in history.

From 2010–2012, the residence underwent restoration and renovation, preparing it for its new role as a high-level retreat center and public venue. Extensive restoration work also took place on the grounds and golf course of the 200-acre estate.

The couple’s vision is being fulfilled as The Annenberg Retreat at Sunnylands welcomes a new generation of global leadership to the historic estate. The June 2013 summit between President Barack Obama and President Xi Jinping paves the way for future historic national and international meetings.

Ab

ove

Sun

nyla

nds,

the

Ann

enb

erg

esta

te,

was

cre

ated

as

a ha

ven

for

rela

xatio

n an

d p

eace

in t

he d

eser

t ne

ar P

alm

Sp

rings

, C

alifo

rnia

. P

hoto

grap

h b

y K

en H

ayd

en.

20

12

. B

elo

w P

resi

den

t B

arac

k O

bam

a w

ith P

resi

den

t X

i Jin

pin

g of

Chi

na in

the

atr

ium

at

Sun

nyla

nds.

Offi

cial

Whi

te H

ouse

Pho

to,

20

13

.l

eg

ac

y

de

sig

n t

ea

m

Acclaimed architect A. Quincy Jones began designing the Annenberg 25,000-square-foot residence in 1963 and completed the home in 1966. Jones served as dean of the School of Architecture at the University of Southern California from 1975 until 1978. He is best known for the work he and his partner Frederick Emmons did with developer Joseph Eichler who built thousands of affordable modern homes in California.

William Haines, a leading silent film star, became a favorite interior decorator for movie stars and heads of studios from the 1930s to 1970s. He designed rooms that were light and bright and his Hollywood Regency furnishings balanced the formal with the casual. The Annenbergs asked Haines to assemble a team to produce their Sunnylands home and he invited Jones to join in this effort.

Jones and landscape architect Emmet Wemple provided the initial designs for the park-like grounds. Then premier golf-course designer Dick Wilson refined the layout, oriented the fairways to spectacular vistas, elevated the greens, ringed them with deep bunkers, and introduced challenging water hazards.

Ab

ove

Aug

uste

Rod

in’s

Eve

gra

ces

the

atriu

m.

Bat

hed

in li

ght

from

the

sky

light

, th

e sc

ulp

ture

intr

oduc

es v

isito

rs t

o th

e S

unny

land

s ar

t co

llect

ion.

Pho

togr

aph

by

Ken

Hay

den

. 2

01

2.

w w w . s u n n y l a n d s . o r g

int

er

ior

s

Architect A. Quincy Jones designed a large atrium and living room space that is 6,400 square feet. Diagonal views from the front doors extend across the atrium and continue through glass walls to the landscaped golf course and distant mountains, extending the indoors to the outdoors.

At the center of this open space amid flowering bromeliads surrounding a pool of water stands August Rodin’s sculpture of Eve. This dramatic design focuses attention on the relationship of art to nature within the residence.

Lava stone walls in the atrium provided a richly textured backdrop for the Impressionist and Post-Impressionist paintings collection (now at New York City’s Metropolitan Museum of Art).

Other Annenberg collecting interests can be seen in the Chinese Tang Dynasty funerary figures, the Chinese cloisonné enamel pieces, a modern sculpture collection, and the selection of Steuben glass objects. The art complements the William Haines furniture creating a formal aesthetic mixed with a casual sensibility—a comfortable space for living.

Ab

ove

Tan

g D

ynas

ty fu

nera

ry fi

gure

s fr

om C

hina

gra

ce t

he R

oyal

Sitt

ing

Roo

m w

here

pho

tos

of t

he B

ritis

h ro

yal f

amily

are

dis

pla

yed

. P

hoto

grap

h b

y K

en H

ayd

en.

20

12

. B

elo

w T

he R

oom

of M

emor

ies

feat

ures

pho

togr

aphs

and

mem

ento

s of

fam

ily,

frie

nds,

and

sig

nific

ant

even

ts fr

om t

he A

nnen

ber

gs’

lives

. P

hoto

grap

h b

y K

en H

ayd

en.

20

12

.

The people and events that were part of the active and politically engaged couple’s lives are featured in the Room of Memories. The room’s contents include: inscribed books, signed photographs, Christmas cards from Britain’s Queen Mother, Andrew Wyeth’s portrait of Walter Annenberg, Rembrandt Peale’s portrait of George Washington, awards for Annenberg philanthropy, and various types of recognition for public service.

Originally, the residence included the master bedroom and a guest wing with two bedrooms and the Game Room. In 1977, an extension provided three additional bedrooms.

Each of the five guest rooms is essentially identical in size but decorated in a different color, providing a ready means of identification: pink, yellow, peach, blue, and green rooms.

The Game Room is an exuberant mix of robust red and yellow. Presidents, actors, and friends enjoyed private film screenings there while indulging in Annenberg signature snacks—jelly beans, potato chips, and pretzels.

Ab

ove

The

Ann

enb

erg

Sui

te’s

Hol

lyw

ood

Reg

ency

furn

ishi

ngs

affo

rded

a v

iew

of b

irds

visi

ting

Wal

ter

Ann

enb

erg’

s ca

ctus

gar

den

. P

hoto

grap

h b

y b

y K

en H

ayd

en.

20

12

.

Bel

ow

Sun

nyla

nds

gues

ts r

etire

d t

o th

e G

ame

Roo

m fo

r lu

nch,

to

pla

y ca

rds,

or

to w

atch

a fi

rst-

run

Hol

lyw

ood

mov

ie.

Pho

togr

aph

by

Ken

Hay

den

. 2

01

2.

Premier golf course designer Dick Wilson planned the nine-hole golf course at Sunnylands to 1960s standards. Large elevated greens ringed with deep bunkers, challenging water hazards, and spectacular mountain vistas are features of the design. In the late 1960s, the Annenbergs themselves determined the new placement of tees so the course could also be played as eighteen holes.

For more than three decades, the Annenbergs played golf together almost every day they were at Sunnylands. They shared the course with visiting friends as well as United States presidents, British royalty, celebrities, and professional golfers.

The importance of the designer and the stature of its players contribute to the historic character of the golf course. The course is now enjoyed by retreat participants and welcomes several community events each year.

Ab

ove

The

his

toric

Kw

akiu

tl to

tem

pol

e w

atch

es o

ver

a lo

ne g

olfe

r as

he

pos

ition

s hi

s te

e sh

ot o

n th

e fif

th h

ole

of t

he S

unny

land

s go

lf co

urse

. P

hoto

grap

h b

y K

en H

ayd

en.

20

12

.

Bel

ow

Hol

e tw

o of

fers

a v

iew

of t

he C

hine

se P

avili

on a

nd t

he m

ount

ains

bey

ond

. P

hoto

grap

h b

y K

en H

ayd

en.

20

12

. g

ol

f c

ou

rs

e

© 2

01

2 T

he A

nnen

ber

g Fo

und

atio

n Tr

ust

at S

unny

land

s. A

ll rig

hts

rese

rved

.

w w w . s u n n y l a n d s . o r g

The Annenberg historic estate features a Midcentury Modern residence and three cottages designed by architect A. Quincy Jones on 200 acres, as well as a 9-hole private golf course, 11 lakes, a tennis court, a swimming pool, and a mausoleum where the Annenbergs are interred.

Private Entrance Mausoleum

Delos BenchEisenhower

Palms

Birds of Welcome

FR

AN

K S

INA

TR

A D

RIV

E

Birds of Welcome

his

to

ric

es

ta

te

Cottage Campus

Totem Pole

Retreat Pavilion

Chinese Pavilion

Guest Wings

Sunnylands Gardens

Sunnylands Center

Tennis Court

Public EntranceAnnenberg Residence

Cactus Garden

Rose Garden

Nixon Magnolia

B O B H O P E D R I V E

w w w . s u n n y l a n d s . o r g

Sunnylands Center & Gardens is the starting point for public access to the Annenberg story and the historic estate.

Completed in 2011, the Center was designed by Frederick Fisher & Partners, Architects, with references to stylistic elements of the historic home. Fisher explains,

“A statement roof is a feature of the Annenberg home and of A. Quincy Jones’s work. The wide overhanging roof of the Center recalls the iconic pink pyramid of Sunnylands in a deferential way. Expanses of glass provide for immersion in the Gardens. The simple plan of Sunnylands Center incorporates flexible space and maintains Mrs. Annenberg’s love of nature, art, and design.”

Decorator Michael Smith created a harmony of materials, colors, and furniture at the Center, referencing the original designs for the house by William Haines and Ted Graber.

The art gardens, designed by The Office of James Burnett, recall the Impressionist and Post-Impressionist paintings that were so beloved by Leonore and Walter Annenberg.

Ab

ove

At

Sun

nyla

nds

Cen

ter

visi

tors

lear

n ab

out

the

Ann

enb

ergs

, d

epar

t fo

r to

urs

of t

he e

stat

e, a

nd e

xper

ienc

e th

e ni

ne-a

cre

Gar

den

s. P

hoto

grap

h b

y K

en H

ayd

en.

20

12

. R

ight

Bus

t of

Die

go o

n S

tele

III b

y A

lber

to G

iaco

met

ti ta

kes

cent

er s

tage

in t

he G

reat

Roo

m o

f Sun

nyla

nds

Cen

ter.

Pho

togr

aph

by

Ken

Hay

den

. 2

01

2.

su

nn

yl

an

ds

ce

nt

er

w w w . s u n n y l a n d s . o r g

Guests may enjoy the mountain views, watch the orientation film, and experience the exhibitions and sculptures featured at the Center. Exhibitions pertinent to the history of Sunnylands change annually.

Visitors are encouraged to view the 3-D film (no glasses!) on the design and building of the historic home and engage with interactive media stations, each presenting over one hour of information on six themes.

• Midcentury Modern Architecture – meet A. Quincy Jones and the concepts behind Midcentury Modern architecture.

• Outside/Inside – become acquainted with interior designers William Haines and Ted Graber, and explore the Dick Wilson-designed golf course.

• Timeless Art – learn more about the art collections of Leonore and Walter Annenberg.

• Public Life/Private Retreat – meet Walter and Leonore Annenberg and the influential people who visited Sunnylands.

• Desert Living – explore how life in the Palm Springs desert is different from other places, and what efforts are being made to make Sunnylands sustainable.

• The Annenberg Retreat at Sunnylands – review recent retreats and meetings in keeping with the tradition and plans of the Annenbergs.

Ab

ove

A 2

0-m

inut

e or

ient

atio

n fil

m is

pla

yed

on

the

half

hour

in t

he C

ente

r Th

eate

r. P

hoto

grap

h b

y K

en H

ayd

en.

20

12

.

• Stroll through the Gardens on 1.25 miles of walking paths for an ever-changing experience of desert plants.

• Browse Sunnylands Shop, which features art objects, gift items, books, and note cards.

• Stop for a refreshing beverage, lunch, or snack at the Café while enjoying the spectacular mountain views.

• Take a tour. Guided tours of Sunnylands Center & Gardens are available daily; specialized guided walking tours of the Gardens are offered weekly; monthly studio activities are scheduled.

• Check the calendar for lectures, conversations, performances, and special events.

• Connect via the Wi-Fi network available throughout the property.

• Lockers and the water fountain are located by the restrooms; baby changing stations can be found in both women’s and men’s restrooms.

Ab

ove

The

Gre

at R

oom

, w

ith in

terio

r fu

rnis

hing

s d

esig

ned

by

Mic

hael

Sm

ith,

is t

he s

pec

tacu

lar

cent

ral s

pac

e of

Sun

nyla

nds

Cen

ter,

. P

hoto

grap

h b

y K

en H

ayd

en.

20

12

. B

elo

w B

ench

es o

ffer

an o

pp

ortu

nity

to

pau

se a

mom

ent

and

tak

e in

the

vie

w o

f the

Gar

den

s an

d s

urro

und

ing

mou

ntai

ns.

Pho

togr

aph

by

Ken

Hay

den

. 2

01

2.

wh

at

to

do

at

th

e c

en

te

r

pl

an

nin

g y

ou

r c

en

te

r &

ga

rd

en

s v

isit

• Admission is free.

• Photography for private use is welcome. No commercial photography is allowed.

• Sunnylands is a smoke-free environment.

• Pets are not allowed. Service animals are welcome.

• Guests are reminded that they are visiting a desert environment that is home to a variety of plants and wildlife. They must be aware of their surroundings and ensure children explore safely.

Ab

ove

The

inte

ract

ive

med

ia s

tatio

ns o

ffer

six

uniq

ue le

arni

ng e

xper

ienc

es .

Pho

togr

aph

by

Ken

Hay

den

. 2

01

2.

Bel

ow

The

Caf

é an

d S

hop

are

ad

jace

nt fa

cilit

ies

loca

ted

in S

unny

land

s C

ente

r. P

hoto

grap

hs b

y K

en H

ayd

en.

20

12

.

Fd

b

Md

B

B

Sculpture Locations

West Terrace

Café

Shop

Accessible Restrooms

Studio

Great Room

To Gardens

© 2

01

3 T

he A

nnen

ber

g Fo

und

atio

n Tr

ust

at S

unny

land

s. A

ll rig

hts

rese

rved

.

S

S

S

S

S

S

FB

BM

Interactive Gallery

Theater

Estate Tour Shuttle Station

Exhibition Hallway

Reception

Entrance

To Gardens

Accessible Restroom

Accessible Restroom

Parking

Lockers

Water Fountain

I

ce

nt

er

FL

OO

r P

LA

n

S

ta

kin

g a

to

ur

of

th

e h

ist

or

ic e

st

at

e

From the Center, guests depart for their 90-minute, reserved, ticketed tours of the historic estate. Guided tours of the historic grounds and A. Quincy Jones-designed residence for seven guests on an electric shuttle are available for $35 per person. Limited group tours on Wednesdays only are available for $45 per person. Reservations can be made at www.sunnylands.org.

Guests are asked to arrive at least 15 minutes prior to their tour. All tours leave at the designated time. Tours run rain or shine, and visitors are reminded that transportation is by open vehicle. Walking is required. Tours are limited to children ages 10 and above, and a ticket is required for every person on the tour.

Cell phones must be silenced during tours, and all backpacks must be placed in the lockers provided. Food and drink are not allowed on the tour (water excepted).

Ab

ove

Gue

sts

with

res

erva

tions

for

the

hist

oric

est

ate

tour

leav

e on

sev

en-p

erso

n sh

uttle

s fr

om S

unny

land

s C

ente

r. P

hoto

grap

h b

y K

en H

ayd

en.

20

12

. B

elo

w A

scu

lptu

re e

ntitl

ed B

irds

of W

elco

me

gree

ts v

isito

rs o

n th

e ap

pro

ach

to t

he h

isto

ric S

unny

land

s re

sid

ence

. P

hoto

grap

h b

y K

en H

ayd

en.

20

12

.

ce

nt

er

& e

st

at

e g

uid

e

37-977 Bob Hope Drive

(Mail to PO Box 1770)

Rancho Mirage CA 92270

760 202 2222

contact@sunnylands.org

Thursday through Sunday

September through June

9 am – 4 pm

July & August: closed

CENTER & GARDENS SUNNYL ANDS