Sunnylands Series—Variations to a Theme: William Haines at Sunnylands

The Sunnylands Speaker Series, in partnership with the Rancho Mirage Public Library, returns for a new season on Tuesday, February 13, at the Rancho Mirage Public Library. This event is open to the public and is free of charge.

William “Billy” Haines was one of the silver screen’s leading men in the 1930s. He quit showbiz and reinvented himself as an interior designer, becoming one of the most sought-after decorators in Hollywood. In the 1960s, Walter and Leonore Annenberg brought Haines to Rancho Mirage to oversee the creation of their new winter home, Sunnylands. Haines found the couple an architect, the award-winning A. Quincy Jones, and created more than 450 pieces of furniture for the estate. Now, an exhibition of Haines’ remarkable furnishings is on view at Sunnylands Center & Gardens. The designer’s life and legacy are explored in this presentation by exhibition curators and Sunnylands staff members, Anne Rowe, director of heritage, and Frank Lopez, archivist and librarian; and interior designer Patrick Dragonette.

(from left to right) Anne Rowe, Director of Heritage, Sunnylands; Frank Lopez, Archivist and Librarian, Sunnylands; Patrick Dragonette, Interior Designer

Please note, this event does not take place at Sunnylands Center & Gardens. This lecture will be held at the Rancho Mirage Public Library on Tuesday, February 13, from 2 to 3 pm.

Rancho Mirage Public Library
71100 Highway 111
Rancho Mirage, CA 92270

This event is open to the public and is free of charge.

For more information, please contact our Education department at education@sunnylands.org.