In March The Altadena Guild of HMH (The Guild) held its general meeting at Huntington Medical Research Institutes (HMRI) in Pasadena, which was also a time to celebrate 75 years since The Guild’s formation. The Guild’s historian Penny Gill, along with help from Teresa Farone, presented a slideshow highlighting The Guild’s humble beginnings from March 1951 until the present time.

On Valentine’s Day in 1951, The Arcadia Guild of HMH was founded as a support group under the Women’s Auxiliary for Huntington Memorial Hospital.  

On March 16, 1951, the newly formed Guild held its first meeting – a tea in the home of Mrs. Fred C. Nash on Porter Drive in Altadena. The Guild’s first president was Mrs. Harold Smith. 

Plans for its spring benefit for the following year were presented to the members by The Guild’s first Ways and Means Chairwoman Mrs. Arthur J. Will. This kicked off the highly anticipated and rewarding Altadena Guild of HMH’s Annual Home & Garden Tour.

Some homes were featured multiple times over the years. Each time included a theme inspired either by the architectural style of the homes, the time period they were built or the charming neighborhoods in which they were located. Patrons would come, eager to support The Guild’s cause and view the homes and stroll through the luscious gardens. 

The first home tour ticket price was $1.50 for the tour only or $2 for the tour and dessert. Total money raised from the first home tour in 1952 was $428! Checks and reservations for the tour were sent to Mrs. Kenneth Steuer at 1090 Rubio Street. The home was on tour again in 2023 but tragically lost in the fire of 2025.

Since then, The Guild has raised over $3 million with its mission to help fund and promote the objectives of Huntington Hospital (recently renamed Huntington Health, an affiliate of Cedars Sinai) and HMRI. 

  Challenges included the global pandemic from 2020-2022, and then the devastating Eaton Fire of Jan. 7, 2025. The pandemic kept Guild members secluded; however, generous donations from Guild patrons and membership helped fulfill the financial commitments made by The Guild for HH and HMRI. After a two-year pandemic hiatus, The Guild was ready in 2023 to resume its Annual Home and Garden Tour.

However, ferocious winds, followed by devastating fires, swallowed entire neighborhoods, people perished and 30% of The Guild’s membership lost their homes. Many of the historic homes that were featured over the years on tours were lost in the fire as well.

Entering 2026, The Guild is trying to heal, recover, rebuild and reconnect, never losing sight of its mission.

The Guild is hoping to rebuild by asking everyone to join the team of strong, inspiring and dedicated women. It is the goal of The Guild to regain its position as one of the greatest philanthropic organizations and community leaders in the history of Altadena and Pasadena.

For more information on how to become a member, check The Guild website at www.altadenaguild.org.