Pasadena Museum of History, Pasadena

The Pasadena Museum of History serves as a unique repository of the region's rich cultural heritage. As a private, nonprofit entity, the museum focuses exclusively on the history, art, and culture of Pasadena and the surrounding areas of the west San Gabriel Valley.

Established on the picturesque grounds of a century-old estate, the museum complex includes several key components: the Pasadena Museum History Center, the Fenyes Estate with its charming gardens, a comprehensive research library and archives, the Curtin House, and the Finnish Folk Art Museum. These facilities collectively offer a variety of public programs, including exhibits, guided tours, lectures, seminars, and workshops. These activities are designed to foster an appreciation of the diverse historical, cultural, artistic, and scientific contributions specific to Pasadena and its neighboring communities.

The origins of Pasadena trace back to 1874 with the settlement of the Indiana Colony along the Arroyo Seco. The local historical society began its mission by assembling historical data in 1924, initially storing its collections in a single filing cabinet. Over the decades, this collection expanded and relocated several times, eventually finding a permanent home in 1970 on the two-acre Fenyes Estate, a gift from the Paloheimo family.

The Pasadena Museum of History houses a vast collection of over one million historic photographs, manuscripts, maps, and other items chronicling Pasadena's history. Its art collection includes works by local plein air painters and significant three-dimensional objects like textiles and ceramics. Additionally, its costume and textile collection features over 3,000 artifacts from 1880 to 1970.

Today, the Pasadena Museum of History stands as a pivotal cultural institution open to the public, supported by admission fees, donations, and corporate sponsorships. It hosts special exhibits and educational programs that delve into various facets of local architecture, fine art, literature, science, social issues, and significant historic milestones.