Permanent Exhibitions discover explore experience

Our permanent exhibition rooms explore facets of regional history and culture with objects from our permanent collections. Each displaying the rich and diverse history of Santa Monica to explore, discover and experience.

These exhibition rooms provide specific and relevant stories of Santa Monica over time, enhanced with authentic artifacts, fabricated environments, interactive exhibits, audio/video programs and graphic and photographic panels.

The Old Santa Monica Room

The Tongva
Explore the history of the city’s native people

Visitors begin their exploration of Santa Monica’s past with an orienting exhibition that establishes the city’s earliest context. Through artifacts, archival photographs, interpretive texts, and thoughtfully designed visuals, it traces the region’s story from the Tongva homelands through the city’s founding and early decades into the 1930s. Both introductory and foundational, this installation highlights the pivotal events and formative influences that shaped Santa Monica’s identity, offering essential perspective for the narratives explored throughout the museum.

EXPLORE more Santa Monica history and the individuals that made an impact.

A Town at Play

The Celebrated Beach
Explore the timeless appeal of Santa Monica Beach

For over a century, Santa Monica Beach has captivated visitors from all walks of life, drawing them to its sun-soaked shores, iconic amusement piers, invigorating saltwater baths, and scenic boardwalks. A true destination for generations of fun-seekers, the beach has been a place of joy, recreation, and discovery.

Step back in time and explore a collection of unique artifacts, from the majestic sea horse that once greeted visitors at the entrance to Pacific Ocean Park, to the barbell wielded by the legendary wrestler Baron Michele Leone, famously known as “The Baron.” These treasures offer a glimpse into the rich history that has made Santa Monica Beach an enduring symbol of leisure and entertainment.

A Town in the Arts

Santa Monica’s Creativity
Explore the city’s rich and compelling contributions to American cultural life

Santa Monica has long been a cornerstone of artistic innovation, beginning with early photographers who immortalized the city’s stunning landscapes. Over time, this creative spirit blossomed, shaping the city into a dynamic cultural hub.

Our “Then & Now” exhibit offers a compelling visual journey, allowing visitors to easily compare historical and contemporary views of Santa Monica’s evolving landscape. Through these striking images, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of how the city’s identity has been shaped by both nature and artistic vision.

EXPERIENCE our online THEN & NOW

A Town at Work

A City Grows & Thrives
Explore Santa Monica’s independent spirit!

Discover the trailblazers whose bold ideas and innovative visions helped shape the cultural and entrepreneurial fabric of Santa Monica. From iconic businesses that have stood the test of time, like Hot Dog on a Stick, to groundbreaking subcultures that continue to influence the world today, the city’s independent spirit is alive and thriving.

Santa Monica’s beaches and streets were the proving grounds for a rebellious group of surfers-turned-skateboarders who revolutionized the sport, making the city the epicenter of skateboarding culture affectionately called Dog Town.

DISCOVER other Who’s Who of Santa Monica!

Donald Douglas

Donald Douglas Aircraft
Explore a replica interior of a Douglas Aircraft

The production of airplanes was a focal point of life in Santa Monica during World War II. Aircraft manufacturer, Douglas Aircraft Company, setup shop in Santa Monica in 1921.

The Douglas C-47 Skytrain, a military transport plane was a significant plane used extensively by the Allies to convey troops, cargo and the wounded.

A diorama of graphics, photos and artifacts on either side of the plane tell the stories of those who were a part of the creation of Douglas’ aircraft.

EXPERIENCE being inside a replica of the Douglas C-47 Skytrain middle section!

Browse our Douglas Collection

A Town in the News

The Outlook Newspaper
Explore the history of Santa Monica’s local newspaper

Have you ever wanted to see yourself on the front page of the newspaper? Well now you can! With our interactive exhibit, your picture is taken and placed into one of five front page stories of The Outlook newspaper and printed for you to keep!

The Outlook was Santa Monica’s oldest local newspaper. The first issue was published on October 13, 1875 and the last on March 14, 1998. Discover more about this local paper and see several artifacts from the printing process.

DISCOVER more from our Outlook Collection of historical photographs!

Take a tour of A Town in the News

Then & Now

Experience our online version of the interactive feature in our A Town in the Arts exhibition room, where you explore the city and how it looked – then and now. Slide the slider left or right to reveal more of the photo.

Come back every month to see more Then & Now photos!