The Huntington Library, Art Museum and Botanical Gardens in Los Angeles has opened a new major exhibition titled "This Land Is…" as part of a multiyear initiative leading up to the 250th birthday of the Declaration of Independence. The exhibition draws from the Huntington’s collections to explore land as a defining force in American life, from before the country’s founding to the present day, through documents, artwork, and artifacts. It runs from June 14, 2026, and is included with general admission.
This exhibition matters because it uses a major national milestone—the semiquincentennial of the Declaration of Independence—to reframe American history through the lens of land, a topic central to ongoing debates about identity, ownership, and heritage. By drawing on the Huntington’s extensive collections, the show offers a scholarly yet accessible public engagement with complex historical narratives, reinforcing the role of museums in contextualizing national celebrations.