Monday Marks 100th Year of the Pasadena Museum of History

The Pasadena Museum of History commemorates its centennial today, marking a century of preserving the rich history of Pasadena and the West San Gabriel Valley. 

Founded in 1924 as the Pasadena Historical Society, the institution has grown from a single file cabinet of memorabilia into a multifaceted organization.

“Our mission remains the same: to collect, preserve, and exhibit materials that document the rich and varied history of Pasadena and the West San Gabriel Valley,” the Museum stated. 

The institution said it aims to present its offerings within a culture of inclusion and connectedness.

The Museum’s origins can be traced back to Pasadena’s Golden Jubilee in 1924, which celebrated the city’s 50th anniversary. An exhibition displaying over 500 photographs and artifacts of Pasadena’s earliest founders sparked public interest in preserving local history.

This enthusiasm led to the formal establishment of the Pasadena Historical Society on September 9, 1924. A flyer advertising the society’s first meeting urged residents to contribute historical items, warning that such treasures were “doomed to inevitable loss” without preservation efforts.

Over the decades, the Museum’s collection has resided in various locations, including the Civic Auditorium and Pasadena Public Library. In 1970, it found a permanent home when descendants of Eva Scott Fényes donated the Fényes Mansion and surrounding estate.

The Museum’s growth continued with the construction of a 10,000-square-foot History Center in 1970. This facility houses a research library, exhibition halls, conference room, Museum store, and administrative offices, addressing the need for climate-controlled archival storage.

To mark its centennial, the Museum has hosted numerous events and exhibitions throughout 2024. These include “Celebrate! Quilts on the Wall” and “Cabinet of Curiosities: Celebrating 100 Years of Collecting Pasadena History.”

Another exhibition, “Lights, Camera, Action! Hollywood Magic in Pasadena,” will be on display through February 9, 2025. The Museum is also launching a virtual exhibition on the life and artistry of Eva Scott Fényes in late fall 2024.

Additional centennial initiatives include expanded tours of the 1906 Fényes Mansion and a newly redesigned website. The Museum’s annual “Happy Birthday Pasadena” free community celebration returned on June 9 with cake and candles.

A social media countdown, “Centennial Exposition: 100 Objects in 100 Days,” launched on April 23, 2024. It continued each weekday until today, the Museum’s founding date of September 9.

The Museum is also debuting its collection of 4,000 watercolors by Eva Fényes on the Pasadena Digital History Collaboration. Centennial programs related to the major exhibition are planned throughout the year.

A gala fundraiser is scheduled for November 9, celebrating milestones, memories, and the year’s Contemporary History Makers. The Pasadena Museum of History continues to uphold its founders’ vision, preserving the city’s historical treasures for future generations.

The Pasadena Museum of History is located at 470 W. Walnut St. in Pasadena. For more, call (626) 577-1660 or visit: https://pasadenahistory.org/centennial/