OPEN THURSDAY – SUNDAY- Santa Monica
The Santa Monica History Museum was founded under the “Historical Activities Committee” of Santa Monica’s Centennial Celebration in 1975 and by a public poll, with their goal to collect, preserve, and be the caretaker of history. Its name at that time was the Santa Monica Historical Society and it was designated as the official collector and preserver of the history, art, and culture of the Santa Monica Bay Area. Former Mayor Clo Hoover, the first woman mayor of Santa Monica, was elected the first president.
The museum, one of the largest in the country for a city the size of Santa Monica, has grown far beyond expectations with an expansive collection of artifacts, photographs, and memorabilia. Thousands of hours have been dedicated to public education and museum services.
With the help of Louise and Bob Gabriel who had been active in the community for years and had a strong love for Santa Monica and its history took on the responsibility to make the museum a reality. Within three years, with determination, perseverance, and countless hours of work, Bob headed the fundraising committee and raised the necessary funds. Louise was able to get all the furnishings for the museum donated by companies that were going out of business. Bob found a temporary rent‐free location on Colorado Avenue.
Our Mission
The Santa Monica History Museum’s mission is to collect, preserve and share the history and culture of Santa Monica for generations to come.
Our Vision
The Santa Monica History Museum is the steward of the rich history of the Santa Monica Bay area. We are committed to enriching our community by providing public access to our extensive collection with interpretive exhibitions, public programs, community partnerships, and through archival and research services.
CURRENT EXHIBITION FROM APRIL 1 – DECEMBER 23, 2022
Broadway to Freeway:
Life and Times of a Vibrant Community
In the mid-20th century, the Broadway neighborhood was a thriving, tight-knit community in Santa Monica. Built by African American, Mexican American, and immigrant communities, the Broadway neighborhood was a haven for those who were excluded from other parts of the city by racist and anti-immigrant policies and practices.
This exhibition tells the story of how residents built Broadway into a flourishing community of color – and how the Interstate 10 freeway destroyed it in the 1960s. The vibrant lives of pioneering individuals – like the first African American teacher and social worker hired in Santa Monica – are knitted into the neighborhood they built together. The community populated Broadway with welcoming schools, homes, and businesses – from beauty parlors and jazz clubs, to the malt shop, tortilleria, and Jewish deli.
Featuring period photographs, advertisements, oral histories, and songs, the exhibition draws on the wealth of archival material collected by the Quinn Research Center, which is dedicated to preserving the history of African American life in Santa Monica.
Today, little evidence remains of the community on the blocks between 13th Street and 20th Street, once the heart of the Broadway neighborhood. Though physically erased, Broadway lives on in the stories that are preserved and shared to illuminate past inequities and spotlight the inspirational individuals who created a center of social and civic life on their own terms.
Admissions
General – $5.00
Seniors & Students – $5.00
Children under 12 – Free
Museum members – Free
Veterans & Active-duty military – Free
Hours
Monday – Wednesday: Closed
Thursday: 3:00pm – 8:00pm
Friday – Sunday: 11:00am – 5:00pm
Museum Holiday Hours
We are closed in observance of the following holidays: New Year’s Day, President’s Day, Easter, Memorial Day, July 4th, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, and the day after, Christmas
For additional information, visit the website @
santamonicahistory.org
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