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The Pasadena Museum of History offers a variety of educational, entertaining, and stimulating programs and events that further enhance our knowledge and enjoyment of the west San Gabriel Valley's rich heritage.

For event information and reservations, please call 626.577.1660, ext. 10.

Upcoming programs and events
   
This icon indicates events commemorating the Centennial anniversary of the Fenyes Mansion
Curators' Choice Spotlight Tours
Thursday, July 24 , 11:30 am
watercolorEnjoy a special docent guided tour of the exhibition, Curators' Choice.  You will visit both the Fenyes Mansion and the History Center Gallery in this new tour that looks at collection items chosen by staff and guest curators/volunteers.  Items spotlighted run from Chinese robes, antique pencil sharpeners, and William Merritt Chase paintings in the Mansion to maps, toys, lace, journals, photographs, and more in the History Gallery.  Tour involves walking up a gentle incline to the Mansion and up one flight of stairs in the Mansion.  Photo at left is close-up detail of a watercolor by Eva Scott Fenyes from her scrapbooks, a number of which are currently on display in the exhibition.
Tickets: Members $4; Non-Members $8; Reservations required, 626.577.1660, ext. 10.  Walk-ins accommodated if space is available.
 
A Child's Life
Friday, July 25, 10:00 am

A Child’s Life is a special program designed by PMH to help elementary school kids aged children explore what it was like growing up in Pasadena in the late 1800s. Participants will receive the award winning book The Way Pasadena Was by Kathleen Thorne-Thomsen, view historic images, play old time games, and dress up in period clothing.

Please click on image for additional information.

Tickets: Members $12 for child & parent together; Non-Members $15; ages 8 to 12, limit 15 children with one accompanying adult per session.  Reservations required; please call 626.577.1660, ext. 16.
 
A Peek at the Past
Wednesdays, July 2, 9, 16, 23 & 30, 9:00 to 11:30 am

Five weeks of free summer history fun for children 4-8 years old and an

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accompanying adult.  Each session includes stories, crafts, activities, and a peek into a very special part of the Fenyes Mansion Estate.

July 2 (Session Full; Waiting List Only) - An Old-Fashioned Fourth of July

July 9 (Session Full; Waiting List Only) - Old-Time Bicycles

July 16 (Session Full; Waiting List Only) - Inventions

July 23 (Session Full; Waiting List Only) - Architecture

July 30 - Gardens and Bugs

Please click on picture for additional information

Tickets:

Admission is free; however reservations are required and space is limited. Please call 626.577.1660, ext. 10.

 
100Fenyes Mansion Art Tour
Sunday, July 6, 12:15 to 1:45 pm

Docent-guided tour features more than 100 paintings by some of therain  early masters of California plein air painting, including Carl Oscar Borg, Benjamin Brown, William Keith, Richard Miller, Granville Redmond and Elmer Wachtel, among others.  The collection of arts patroness Eva and Dr. Adalbert Fenyes has remained intact through the years.  Many works are in the original frames.  They are hung on silk damask walls and surrounded by art objects and antique furnishings gathered by the Fenyes' from their travels around the world. 

Please note: The Fenyes Mansion will be closed in August and September; tours resume in October 2008.  

Tickets: Members $4; Non-Members $8. Reservations requested, 626.577.1660, ext. 10
 
The Secret Life of Lace: Illustrated Lecture
Sunday, July 13, 2:00 pm

laceLace maker, designer, and teacher Maria Provencher will give an overview of the history of both handmade and machine made lace.  With the use of both slides and actual pieces, she will examine bobbin lace, needle lace, and tatting as well as Carrickmacross, Tenerife and other lesser known types of lace.  Participants will also gain a sense of the intriguing role that lace played in women's history.

Tickets: Textile Arts Council and Museum Members $15, Non-Members $20; Reservations suggested; call 626.577-1660, ext. 10.
 
Thrills and Chills of Summer - Family Free Day
Thursday, July 17, 4:00 to 7:00 pm

The whole family can have fun at this late afternoon program which includes trollyold time music, games and a special craft workshop to make Pasadena souvenirs. 

Bring a blanket and a picnic and enjoy the sunset in the beautiful Mansion gardens.

Special activities celebrating the history of the Mt. Lowe Railway include a photo opportunity in the Incline Excursion Car and a visit to the Alpine Tavern for a free ice cream dessert.

View the current exhibitions Mount Lowe: Souvenirs from the Incline Railway and Curators' Choice: Objects Selected from the Museum's Collections.

Tickets: Free; reservations recommended.  Please call 626.577.1660, ext. 10
 
Colorful Stories of the Arroyo Seco and Beyond - Illustrated Lecture and Book Signing
Thursday, July 24, 7:30 pm
The Arroyo Seco:  Rick Thomas Local historian and former Vice-Chair of Education for the South Pasadena Preservation Foundation (SPPF) Rick Thomas will present slides showing our local history from a unique perspective, including rare historical images and stories of the Arroyo Seco and surrounding communities. Thomas is known for his fascinating history presentations where he blends little known historical facts with rare and sometimes controversial images.  Rick Thomas has authored three books in the Images of America series: South Pasadena, South Pasadena's Ostrich Farm, and The Arroyo Seco.   Books will be available for purchase and signing. 
Tickets: Members $10; Non-Members $15; Reservations suggested, 626.577.1660, ext. 10
 
Summer Speakers Bureau Presentations
August 1 - August 15, 12:00 to 1:00 pm in the Archive

This summer, Pasadena Museum of History spotlights its Speakers Bureau in a series of 11 free noontime presentations in the Archive in the Museum's History Center.  Each hour-long lecture features projected images of historic photos from the Museum's collection of over one million photographs that illustrate the history of Pasadena and the San Gabriel Valley. 

     Friday, August 1 –  Early Pasadena History

     Saturday, August 2 -  Grand Hotels of Pasadena

     Sunday, August 3 -   Early Pasadena History            

     Wednesday, August 6 - Leisure Activities and Sports

     Thursday, August 7 - Pasadena Then and Now

     Friday, August 8 - Science and Technology

     Saturday, August 9 -  Mt. Lowe Railroad

     Sunday, August 10 - The Fenyes/Paloheimo Family of Pasadena and the World

     Wednesday, August 13 - Mt. Lowe Railroad

     Thursday, August 14 - Raymond Hotel

     Friday, August 15 - Leisure Activities and Sports

The Speakers Bureau is comprised of trained volunteers and Museum staff who present little known facts and intriguing narratives to accompany historic images of the region. As part of its community outreach, Pasadena Museum of History provides speakers to clubs and other organizations in the San Gabriel Valley.  Speakers Bureau volunteers will go to a group's meeting location or provide programs for private group luncheons and events at the Museum. Planners for groups that provide programs for their organizations are especially invited to preview these presentations and book one or more for their group for the upcoming year. Information on bookings will be available at each presentation and is also available by calling 626.577.1660, ext. 20. 
Tickets:

Free; presentations not suitable for small children, no food or beverages allowed in the Archive.  Reservations required; please call 626.577.1660, ext. 10

 
Early Pasadena - Illustrated Lecture and Book Signing
Wednesday, August 27, 7:30 pm
earlypasadenaLocal historian and PMH staff member Cedar Phillips will share a selection of her favorite stories from Pasadena’s early years. Phillips’ newly-published book, Early Pasadena (Arcadia: 2008), draws upon the PMH Archives to tell the colorful origins of a city that remains to this day both a popular tourist destination and a beloved home to thousands.  Books will be available for purchase and signing. 
Tickets: Members $10; Non-Members $15; Reservations suggested, 626.577.1660, ext. 10
 
 
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Youth Programs/Events
A Child's Life
Fairy Parties
Junior Docent Program
Peek at the Past
School Tours
   
Public Programs/Events (open to non-members)
An Affair in the Garden
ArtNight
At Home in the Garden
Centennial Anniversary Gala
Contemporary History Maker Awards
Historic Landmark Tours
Holiday Open House
Museums of the Arroyo (MOTA) Day
Speakers Bureau
Textile Arts Council
A Walk Through Time
   
Programs/Events for Members (membership info)
Annual Meeting
Art Walk
At-Home Series
Founders Events
New Members Reception
Private Exhibit Openings
Special Trips

Support the Museum through Vroman's "Gives Back" Program!
If you shop at Vroman's bookstore, please sign up for their "Gives Back" program. The program is very simple. You choose a charitable organization within the community to receive a 1% rebate on every purchase you make. The Pasadena Museum of History is one of a number of worthy organizations that benefit from Vroman's generosity. Register online at www.vromansbookstore.com, or in person when you check out at either of Vroman's Pasadena locations.
     

 
 
470 West Walnut Street ~ Pasadena, CA 91103 ~ Ph 626.577.1660 ~ Fax 626.577.1662 ~ info@pasadenahistory.org