2009:  A Retrospective

While every year is inevitably filled with ups and downs and many exciting moments worthy of commemoration, 2009 stands out as particularly memorable. How appropriate that the final year of the '00s brought with it the completion of projects long in the making (the Family Stories exhibition, for one), as well as launched new endeavors that will move us smoothly into the next decade, most notably the beginning of much-needed maintenance work on the historic Fenyes Mansion. Among other things, this project will help to provide a safer, climate-controlled environment for the Mansion’s valuable object, textile, and art collections.

This past year we also jumped head-first into modern technology; in addition to our already existing monthly e-Calendar, you can now follow Pasadena Museum of History on Twitter, become our fan on Facebook, or check out our expanded and improved website. These online initiatives have proven to be extremely effective; they allow us to better interact with our audience, including our younger supporters, as well as enable us to better serve you, our members and friends, through constantly updated information, online donation and membership processing, event registration, and shopping. And while we were honored to have been named by Pasadena Magazine as Pasadena’s “Best Historical Hideaway” in July’s “Best of Pasadena” Issue, it has also been gratifying to see the role that modern technology has recently played in helping our beloved Historical Hideaway to gain a steadily increasing visibility and presence in the community, virtual and otherwise. In 2010 we’d still like to be a “best historical” site, but “hideaway” should no longer apply.

While 2009 was a year of progress and success, it would be misleading to suggest that everything has been smooth sailing. Like most other organizations, we have been negatively impacted by the economic downturn. Our members and donors have stood by our side, but in these tough times some of our traditional revenue sources have shrunk. We have had to make difficult financial decisions, including the elimination or reduction of hours for several key staff positions. While we are proud of our ability to continue to fulfill our mission and to offer a quality experience to the public, we, like you, look forward to better financial times. In the meantime, efforts to streamline operations, harness new technologies, and cut costs while minimizing the impact on our services, have allowed us to weather the storm gracefully.

We would not be where we are today without your ongoing support, and we gratefully thank our members, donors, volunteers, and visitors for your contribution toward making PMH an integral part of the community. Together, we will continue to preserve and share our cultural and historical heritage for the benefit of the present and the future. Thank you, and please join us as we look forward to the bright possibilities before us in 2010!

Sincerely,

Jeannette L. O’Malley

Executive Director

COLLECTIONS IN 2009

EXHIBITIONS IN 2009

BUILDING COMMUNITY IN 2009

YOUTH PROGRAMS IN 2009