About

Pasadena Museum of History is the only museum and research library dedicated solely to preserving and sharing Pasadena and West San Gabriel Valley history, art, and culture.

Mission Statement

The Mission of the Museum is to promote an appreciation of history, culture, arts, and sciences relevant to Pasadena and adjoining communities.

The Museum’s extensive artifact collection includes textiles, ceramics, furnishings, and other three-dimensional materials, while its top-notch art collection includes paintings from well-known plein air painters such as Benjamin Chambers Brown, Richard E. Miller, and Carl Oscar Borg.  Spanning the years 1834 to the present, this is the largest and most comprehensive collection relating to the history of the west San Gabriel Valley.

PMH is a 501(c)3 organization. Tax ID # 95-6133954.

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About Us: A painting showcasing a picturesque town, adorned with charming houses and offering breathtaking views of the mesmerizing ocean.

History

The Museum was founded as Pasadena Historical Society in 1924, just 50 years after the first members of the Indiana Colony settled along the banks of the Arroyo Seco. The original mission, which remains essentially unchanged today, was to collect, preserve, and exhibit materials that documented the founding and early history of the city. This was an ambitious, forward-looking mission statement in 1924, when the collections filled just one filing cabinet.

The museum’s collection got its first real home in 1932 in a room specifically designed for it as part of the new Civic Auditorium. By 1958, it had outgrown that space, so it was moved to the Pasadena Public Library, where it was staffed by its own volunteers.

Since 1970, thanks to a generous gift from the Paloheimo family, the Museum has been headquartered on the two-acre grounds of the Fényes Estate, a Pasadena Cultural Landmark that is also listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

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Leadership

Executive Director

Jeannette O’Malley has served as the Executive Director of Pasadena Museum of History since 2000.

Pasadena Museum of History Board of Trustees

Executive Committee

Joan J. Branin, PhD, President

William F. Kruse, Esq, Vice President

Charles G. Stanislawski, MBT, CPA, CTC, Treasurer

Karen Craig, Secretary

Janet Kadin, Volunteer Council Representative

 

Board Members

Jeff J. Abbott

Joshua R. Driskell, JD, MBA

Bradford Macneil

Robert W. Renken, Esq

Tron Woods, CFTA

Honorary Trustees

John Armagost*

R. Stanton Avery*

Peter Boyle

Alice Butler

Don Fedde

Larry Gould

Gloria R. Lothrop, PhD*

Richard Nevins*

Leonora C. Paloheimo*

Ken Patton*

Sue Schechter*

Peggy Stewart

John Watkins*

Trustees Emeritus

Sid Gally*

Don McIntyre

Robert W. Winter, Ph.D.*

 

*deceased

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Joan J. Branin, PhD (President)

Joan J. Branin, PhD retired as Professor of Health Services Management & Gerontology and the Director of the Center for Health & Aging at the University of La Verne. She is also President of Questers El Molino.

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William F. Kruse, Esq. (Vice President)

William F. Kruse, Esq., is a senior partner with Lagerlof, LLP, in Pasadena, where he has practiced law for over forty years. He is focused on business organization, taxation, real estate, estate planning, and planned charitable giving. He serves as a trustee for several private charitable foundations.

Charles G. Stanislawski, MBT, CPA, CTC (Treasurer)

Charles G. Stanislawski, MBT, CPA, CTC, is a managing partner with Turner, Warren, Hwang, and Conrad AC in Burbank. He has provided tax, accounting, and consulting expertise for more than 30 years. His expertise includes individual income taxation, estates and trusts, probate accounting, private foundations, and nonprofit organizations.

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Karen Craig (Secretary)

Karen Craig is a retired banker and now works extensively as a Museum volunteer. She is also involved with other local nonprofits, including Questers El Molino.

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Janet Kadin (Volunteer Council Representative)

Janet Kadin is a long-time Museum and community volunteer; she also serves as PMH’s Volunteer Council Co-President.

Board Members

Jeff J. Abbott

Jeff J. Abbott is a Commercial Insurance and Risk Management advisor for Petra Risk Solutions. Jeff was formerly the Facility Manager for Avery Dennison’s global headquarters.

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Joshua R. Driskell, JD, MBA

Joshua R. Driskell, JD, MBA, is Chair of the Private Client Services Department and Managing Partner at Lagerlof, LLP, in Pasadena. He specializes in tax, trust, and business law. He also serves on the boards of The Gamble House Conservancy, Playhouse Village Association, Playhouse Village Foundation, and Pasadena Fire Foundation.

Bradford Macneil

Bradford Macneil retired in 2021 after 20 years as Director of Education & Public Programming at the Pasadena Museum of History. Upon retirement from the Museum, he was recognized as Curator Emeritus.

Robert W. Rankin, Esq.

Robert W. Rankin, Esq is Executive Vice President, General Counsel at Whittier Trust. He is responsible for the legal affairs of the Trust Companies and their affiliated entities. He is a member of the California State Bar and the Advisory Board of the Rose Bowl Legacy Foundation.

Tron Woods, CTFA

Tron Woods, CTFA, is Managing Director of Personal Client Services at Northern Trust in Pasadena. Tron is involved with multiple internal organizations, including the Southern California Mentoring Program, Business Resource Council, and the National Junior Achievement Program.

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Pasadena Museum of History