Past Exhibitions
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Coming Out West: LGBTQ+ Elders Share Their Stories
Life and Times of a Vibrant Community | 2022 April 1 - December 23Broadway to Freeway
Life and Times of a Vibrant Community | 2022 April 1 - December 23All is Possible
Women's Suffrage in California | 2020 March 7 - Fall 2020Santa Monica Pleasure Pier
A Look Back to 1917 From Today | 2019 November 5 - February 22California’s Route 66
Hiding in Plain Sight | 2019 June 29 - October 19Light & Shadow
Capturing Early Santa Monica | 2019 March 9 - June 15From Biplanes to Bombers
Santa Monica Airport's First Fifty Years, 1917-1967 | 2018 October 13 - February 23Santa Monica: A Look Back to 1902 from Today
| 2018 May 18 - July 21People of the Earth
Life and Culture of the Tongva | 2018 February 9 - May 5Saint John’s Health Center
75 Years of Healing, Discovery and Service to the Community | 2017 November 17 - January 2770 Years on the Air
KCRW is New as Ever | 2017 May 24 - September 30Shirley Temple: The Depression’s Box Office Doll
| 2017 April 6 - May 13The Journey of Girl Scouts
Empowering Young Women | 2017 January 24 - March 29The Old Soldiers’ Home
A Veterans' Community by the Sea | 2016 October 8 - January 18Shirley Temple: Santa Monica’s Biggest Little Star
| 2016 April 16 - July 1Cupid’s Message
A Selection of Vintage Valentines | 2016 February 2 - 27Love, Shirley Temple
| 2015 June 3, 6pm - 8pmCultural Mecca
50 Years of Entertainment at the SM Civic Auditorium | 2014 October 25 - 2015 January 24Warriors of Flames
125 years of fighting fires in Santa Monica | 2014 June 28 - September 27Life at the Miramar
| 2011 - 2014Marion Davies Estate
Past, Present & Future | 2006 January
Saint John’s Health Center
75 Years of Healing, Discovery and Service to the Community
2017 November 17 - January 27
This exhibition details the Health Center’s founding and development and displays unique artifacts and photographs from the Center’s archive.
70 Years on the Air
KCRW is New as Ever
2017 May 24 - September 30
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.
Shirley Temple: The Depression’s Box Office Doll
2017 April 6 - May 13
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.
The Journey of Girl Scouts
Empowering Young Women
2017 January 24 - March 29
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
A Veterans' Community by the Sea
2016 October 8 - January 18
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.
Shirley Temple: Santa Monica’s Biggest Little Star
2016 April 16 - July 1
In this extensive Shirley Temple exhibition, it goes beyond her film career and into Shirley Temple’s extraordinary adult life and diplomatic career. It showcases new artifacts, original movie costumes and posters, dolls, personal clothing, photos, correspondence, memorabilia, and much more are on display.
Cupid’s Message
A Selection of Vintage Valentines
2016 February 2 - 27
This exhibition displays Valentine’s Day cards from the late 19th century and early-to-mid 20th century. It’s a lovely way to celebrate Valentine’s Day and the special notes and tokens of affection that are commonly exchanged this time of year.
People of the Earth
Life and Culture of the Tongva
2018 February 9 - May 5
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.
Saint John’s Health Center
75 Years of Healing, Discovery and Service to the Community
2017 November 17 - January 27
This exhibition details the Health Center’s founding and development and displays unique artifacts and photographs from the Center’s archive.
70 Years on the Air
KCRW is New as Ever
2017 May 24 - September 30
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.
Shirley Temple: The Depression’s Box Office Doll
2017 April 6 - May 13
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.
The Journey of Girl Scouts
Empowering Young Women
2017 January 24 - March 29
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
A Veterans' Community by the Sea
2016 October 8 - January 18
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.
Shirley Temple: Santa Monica’s Biggest Little Star
2016 April 16 - July 1
In this extensive Shirley Temple exhibition, it goes beyond her film career and into Shirley Temple’s extraordinary adult life and diplomatic career. It showcases new artifacts, original movie costumes and posters, dolls, personal clothing, photos, correspondence, memorabilia, and much more are on display.
Cupid’s Message
A Selection of Vintage Valentines
2016 February 2 - 27
This exhibition displays Valentine’s Day cards from the late 19th century and early-to-mid 20th century. It’s a lovely way to celebrate Valentine’s Day and the special notes and tokens of affection that are commonly exchanged this time of year.
Other Exhibitions
Pop-Up: Special exhibitions and exhibits featured in the SMHM entry hall. Pop-Up admission is always free.
Dia de los Muertos
Santa Monica YWCA
Susan B. Anthony Day
19th Amendment
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
People of the Earth
Life and Culture of the Tongva
2018 February 9 - May 5
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.