collections
Research Library & Archives
PMH maintains the area’s largest and most comprehensive collection of documents and artifacts related to the history of Pasadena and the west San Gabriel valley. The ever-expanding collection spans the years 1834 to the present and contains well over 1,000,000 historic photographs, rare books, manuscripts, maps, architectural records, and more. Significant collections include: the Pasadena Star-News Photo Collection, the Tournament of Roses Collection, the Pasadena Black History Collection, the J. Allen Hawkins Photo Collection, the Flag Photo Collection, the Sylvanus Marston Architectural Collection, the Giddings-Hollingsworth Family Collection, the Helen Lukens Gaut Photo Collection, and the Ernest A. Batchelder Archives.
The Research Library and Archives will be open from Friday to Sunday from 1 to 4 pm
- There are charges for photocopying, scanning and mailing the results of our research (see Reproduction Services).
- The Research Library & Archives can be contacted at 626-577-1660 ext 205 or research@pasadenahistory.org.
- Please note that the entire Museum is closed on all major holidays. Check our calendar for specific dates.
Note to Researchers: We also encourage you to search the photograph collections of PMH and other institutions on the Pasadena Digital History Collaboration website.