Past

From the Tongva people to its contemporary beach town metropolis, the exhibition delves into the heart of Santa Monica’s housing legacy.

Told through oral histories, images, art, and personal ephemera, this exhibition is a history of the LGBTQ+ community through the lens of people who shaped it.

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.

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.

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.

Past Exhibitions Premier Night! Light & Shadow: Capturing Early Santa Monica 2019 March 9 – June 15 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. The joint exhibition will highlight seven local photographers whose imagery documents our city’s past.  The Main Library will present work by Kenneth Strickfaden and Victor Barnaba. Best known as an electrical special-effects pioneer on films like Frankenstein […]

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.

What did Santa Monica look like in 1902? As a child, local resident Michael Murphy found the answer in a Santa Monica Fire Department photography book of local buildings.

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.