Past Exhibitions
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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.
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.
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 […]
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.
This exhibition details the Health Center’s founding and development and displays unique artifacts and photographs from the Center’s archive.
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 Museum’s third exhibit to honor the Santa Monica native, is the first to bring together a stunning collection of Ideal dolls released during Temple’s childhood career.
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.
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.
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Other Exhibitions Past & Popup
Past Exhibitions:
Muscle Beach
On the Go, No Time to Write: Vintage Postcards of Santa Monica Bay from the Roger Genser Collection
Outlook Newspaper
Lawrence Welk & Aragon Ballroom
Laurel & Hardy
Pop-up Exhibits:
Santa Monica College
Sally Ride
Shirley Temple
Womens History Month
Vintage Valentine’s
Rail
