OPEN EVERY 1st & 3rd SATURDAYS- Alhambra
Discover the hidden gem of Alhambra at Burke Heritage Park xeriscape garden and the Alhambra Historical Society Museum! Admission to the is free, making it an ideal spot for an enjoyable and educational visit. You’ll be amazed by the collection of memorabilia, period clothing, furnishings, and books, generously donated by residents, organizations, and friends. Explore the beautiful xeriscape garden and immerse yourself in the local history of Alhambra. Come and experience Burke Heritage Park, a treasured slice of the past that’s waiting to be discovered.
The Xeriscape Garden
is located adjacent to the Alhambra Historical Society Museum. Admission is free.
Burke Heritage Park
History & Mission of the Alhambra Historical Society
In 1966 the Alhambra Historical Society Inc was established with the objective to encourage and promote the research and study of history and its relationship to the population and the development of Alhambra and the surrounding San Gabriel Valley. As an archival and educational organization collect, classify, and disseminate historical data and facts.
The collection of artifacts is housed in the eleven-room museum, located at 1550 W Alhambra Road (corner of Alhambra Road and Bushnell Avenue). A vast collection, including the Alhambra Post Advocate, Alhambra Polk city directories from 1905 to 1964, telephone directories from 1882 to 2011, Alhambra High School yearbooks from 1912, and much more.
Beginning in July 2022, museum hours are from 1 pm to 4 pm every first and third Saturday of each month or by appointment at 626-300-8845. For more information, email the Alhambra Historical Society. Admission is free.
You can view a virtual video tour of the museum, courtesy of Iona Works Spaces, located next to the Alhambra Historical Society.
For more information, visit the Alhambra Historical Society’s website at alhambrahistoricalsociety.org or follow their Instagram @AlhambraHistory.
Alhambra Historical Society Early History
Alhambra is located seven miles northeast of the business district of Los Angeles at that time, which would have been around City Hall of Los Angeles. Benjamin Wilson, who owned 40,000 acres in three counties, gave about 300 acres of his property in Alhambra, divided into five and ten-acre lots. The name Alhambra came from Wilson’s daughters and cousins who were reading “Tales of the Alhambra” by Washington Irving. With the growth of the area, Alhambra was incorporated in 1903.
Alhambra Historical Society Collection
The museum’s vast collection includes many articles used in day-to-day lives:
- More than 400 envelopes of photos from as early as 1880
- Telephone directories from 1882 to 2011
- Alhambra Post Advocate Morgue from 1934 to 1964
- Alhambra Polk City directories from 1905 to 1964
- Alhambra High School Yearbooks from 1912
- Artist Colony (Norman Rockwell, Florence Upson Young, Eli Harvey, Sam Hyde Harris, and more)
- Town of Dolgeville (became part of Alhambra)
- And much, much more!
Meetings & Events
There are five board meetings held at the Museum, and three membership meetings with guest speakers and society’s business held at the Masonic Lodge at 9 West Woodward. Once a year there is a joint dinner meeting with five other historical organizations. We welcome all to these free events.
Museum Hours
EVERY 1st & 3rd Saturday: 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm
For additional information, visit the website @
www.cityofalhambra.org/421/Alhambra-Historical-Society-Museum
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