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its glory, but the heart of the Annenbergs’ and a portrait of Walter Annenberg, dressed
art collection--some $1 billion worth, includ- in a choir robe, by Andrew Wyeth. There’s a
ing works by Picasso, Van Gogh, Monet and framed, handwritten personal letter from
Cezanne--was donated in 1991 to the Metro- Queen Elizabeth II to Walter Annenberg, who
politan Museum of Art in New York City. Dig- served as U.S. ambassador to the Court of St.
ital reproductions of the paintings now hang James’s. Another wall displays framed, signed
where the originals once were placed. Christmas cards to the Annenbergs from the
late Queen Mother.
A $61.5 million structural renovation of the
home and new construction that includes a Walter Annenberg's wealth and devotion to
visitors’ center and nine-acre garden designed philanthropy was legendary. Upon becoming
by the firm of landscape architect James Bur- ambassador to the United Kingdom, he took
nett of Solana Beach, Calif., has shaped the it upon himself to pay for the renovation of
estate toward a new vision set by the Annen- the antiquated Winfield House, the mansion
bergs before their deaths. in Regent's Park that is the U.S. ambassador's
official residence in London.
Now called the Annenberg Retreat at Sunny-
lands, the 200-acre compound has become a Among the visitors entertained by the An-
global center for high-level conferences fo- nenbergs at Sunnylands were Queen Eliza-
cused on promoting peace. The couple's vision beth II and Prince Philip. One of the photos
has held true and the estate continues to be taken during the royal visit is rather interest-
popular as a sort of West Coast Camp David. ing. Pictured with the Annenbergs at the front
President Obama has visited Sunnylands four door, the queen is holding an umbrella, on
times, staying overnight on two of those oc- what must have been a rare rain-threatened
casions, during meetings with President Xi of day in the normally sun-filled desert.
China and with King Abdullah II of Jordan.
Now that the public can view the estate, it’s
Arriving at the new Sunnylands Center and easy to see how Sunnylands left a succession
Gardens, visitors learn of power politics of kings, queens, presidents and celebrities
played far from the halls of Washington, D.C. impressed, as was Britain’s Prince Charles.
It was at the estate where Nixon crafted his
last State of the Union Address and where When he visited in 1974, he asked the couple:
President George H. W. Bush hosted a state “You left all this to go to England?”
dinner for the Prime Minister of Japan. Pres-
ident Ronald Reagan, a frequent visitor, ex- If You Go
changed televised New Year’s greetings in
1986 from the home with Soviet Premier
Mikhail Gorbachev. If you wish to tour the historic house and grounds, plan
well ahead. Be certain to check first with the Web site for
There remains a superb collection of fine and opening hours, which can change. Tours of the grounds
decorative arts to see as well as the Midcentu- and residence are available for a fee and tickets are limit-
ry Modern architecture of the late A. Quincy ed. The estate is closed July and August and can be closed
Jones, the Los Angeles architect hired by the to visitors during conferences and other events.
Annenbergs to create their desert oasis. Com-
pleted in 1966, the 25,000 square foot house The 15-acre Sunnylands Center & Gardens is free to visitors
is furnished in what is called a Hollywood Re- during opening hours. On exhibit are gifts the Annenbergs
gency style, imagined by the team of William
Haines and Ted Graber. received over their lifetimes from family, presidents and
first ladies, celebrities and business leaders. The center
One of the most interesting stops on a tour of also features an interactive computer bank with informa-
the home is the Room of Memories, filled with tion about the estate, its distinguished visitors, the An-
personal mementoes. Here, there’s a portrait nenberg art collection and the home's architecture. There
of George Washington by Rembrandt Peale is an introductory video, a café and a shop.

Web site: www.sunnylands.org

Location: 37977 Bob Hope Drive, Rancho Mirage, Calif.
photos: © The Annenberg Foundation Trust at Sunny-
lands

Wine Dine & Travel Winter 2015 45