Past Exhibitions

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Broadway to Freeway
The Broadway neighborhood was a thriving, tight-knit community in Santa Monica through the first half of the 20th century – until the I-10 freeway challenged its existence.
All is Possible: Women's Suffrage in California
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To mark the centennial of the ratification of the 19th Amendment, which granted women in America the right to vote, our exhibition explores the history of the local, state, and national suffrage movements. The exhibition displays photographs and artifacts from local women's clubs along with contemporary illustrations from publications such as Puch.
Santa Monica Pleasure Pier
This exhibition is a visual exploration by Michael Murphy and Jens Lucking. It provides a unique opportunity to view the original photographs, plans, and drawings that Charles Looff created to solicit investment and other support for his popular new pier.
California’s Route 66
To illustrate the Route’s history, the exhibition features artifacts such as early driving guides, iconic signage and ephemera, and historic photographs from the Santa Monica History Museum Collection.
Light & Shadow
The Santa Monica Public Library and the Santa Monica History Museum have partnered to give viewers a peek into the extensive photographic archives of each institution. Each houses a diverse selection of photographers and subjects that capture the rich history of the Santa Monica Bay area.
From Biplanes to Bombers
This exhibition presents the early history of the airport and its development over the years. Photographs of the World Cruisers, Amelia Earhart, and Douglas employees and artifacts of Douglas Aircraft plane parts, radios, and flight suits are on display.
People of the Earth
Explore the history and cultural influence of the Tongva/Gabrielino people, the original residents of the Santa Monica Bay area who have lived in the area for about 7,000 years.
Bill Beebe Collection (3.2.7490)
In KCRW's first ever retrospective, this exhibition details the history of the station from its days as The College Radio Workshop to NPR affiliate to international presence through online broadcasting.
The Journey of Girl Scouts
An exhibition to celebrate the history of the Girl Scouts of the USA. On display are documents, photographs, uniforms (dating back to the 1910s), memorabilia, a replica campsite, and other artifacts that bring their history to life.
The Old Soldiers’ Home
This exhibition details the history of the Old Soldiers’ Home, the ways in which it has changed over the years, and the veterans and nearby residents who helped build this community.