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.

The Pasadena Museum of History logo is a symbol that represents the home of the museum.

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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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.

About Us: Pasadena Museum of History sign.

Leadership

Executive Director

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

Executive Committee

Joan J. Branin, PhD  (President) 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 involved with Questers El Molino.

William F. Kruse, Esq (Vice President) is a senior partner with Lagerlof, LLP, 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) is the president and CEO of Stanislawski & Co., Inc., a tax, accounting, and consulting firm based in South Pasadena, serving businesses, individuals, estates, and nonprofits for over fifty-five years.

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

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

William E. Thomson, Jr., Esq (Past President) is an attorney with the Intellectual Property firm of Brooks Kushman in its Los Angeles office. He was formerly the Mayor and Council-member of the City of Pasadena.

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*

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Board Members

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

Joshua R. Driskell, JD, MBA is Managing Partner Lagerlof, LLP, specializing in tax, trust, and business law. He is also on the board of Leadership Pasadena and Pasadena Fire Foundation.

 

 

 

Trustees Emeritus

Sid Gally*

Don McIntyre

Robert W. Winter, Ph.D.*

*deceased

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