History Lives Here: Exploring South Bay’s Local Historical Societies By Writer and Contributor Emily McGinn
Palos Verdes and the cities surrounding the Peninsula are rich in history, and some of the best places to dig into it are the local historical societies. Each organization covers a different area of the Beach Cities and seeks to preserve the history of the area through local museums and events.
Palos Verdes Historical Society
The Palos Verdes Historical Society, led by president and Palos Verdes native Dana Graham, aims to preserve and display the local history of the Peninsula. Its activities aim “to fascinate and educate visitors of all ages and inspire curiosity and learning,” according to the website. It is involved in the management of local artifacts and documents, historical site recognition and community activities like lectures and picnics.
Ultimately, the Palos Verdes Historical Society aims to establish a local museum to share historical documents, artifacts and archaeological information with the public. They are aiming to build one near the PV Interpretive Center along Palos Verdes Drive South, according to the website.
Events run by the Palos Verdes Historical Society include its annual fundraising tea (last hosted in October 2024), and the society participated in Doors Open Peninsula in 2023, which celebrated 100 years of history on the Peninsula. For more information, the website is www.palosverdeshistoricalsociety.org
San Pedro Bay Historical Society
The San Pedro Bay Historical Society has been around since 1974. It aims to preserve the unique history of the San Pedro harbor area and to advocate for the preservation of local historic landmarks, such as the Vinegar Hill Historic Preservation Overlay Zone.
The society also looks after the city’s extensive historical archives, which include documents that detail the early days of the local fishing industry and unions; San Pedro High School yearbooks ranging from 1909 to the 1980s; maps; and microfilm and newspaper clippings from local San Pedro publications. The archives also contain artifacts like business cards and old cruise line menus.
The San Pedro Bay Historical Society manages the Muller House Museum, which they received as a donation in 1986. The colonial revival house opened to the public in 1990 after undergoing a restoration process.
It hosts various events, including its own annual Victorian tea (which just took place on May 18), as well as lectures and author talks hosted at the Muller House Museum. You can check out upcoming events on their website.
Redondo Beach Historical Society
Incorporated in 1987, the Redondo Beach Historical Society focuses on preserving the history of the City of Redondo Beach. The society manages the Morrell House Museum at Heritage Court in Dominguez Park, open to the public for free on Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The Morrell House has a rich history in the area. It was one of the first homes in Redondo Beach to receive electricity, and it had a barn where the Morrell family used to raise chickens. The home has been restored to reflect the original style, including the white-and-black paint and Queen Anne and craftsman detailing. It was transported to Heritage Court from North Catalina in 1989 to avoid demolition, and it became an official local landmark in 1991. You can read more about its history here.
The Redondo Beach Historical Society website features historical photos, showcasing the history of the Redondo Beach pier and the Redondo Railroad. You can check out their Instagram and Facebook pages to follow along for more.
Hermosa Beach Historical Society
The Hermosa Beach Historical Society started in 1987 and has been involved in a variety of projects in the area, including a Video Oral History Project that they began in 1991. The society has operated a museum in the former Pier Avenue Junior High School since 2007, which was renovated as a community-funded project in the early 2000s. It has about 3,500 items on display, including photographs, postcards, newspapers and prints.
Topics of historical interest in the area include surfing, jazz and skateboarding. The Hermosa Beach Historical Society holds events such as the Surfer's Walk of Fame and Volleyball Hall of Fame. The society also holds other events, including several upcoming events this summer — “Happy Hour with History: The Wonder of Birds” on June 26 and their Ninth Annual Gala, “Beach Through the Decades” on Aug. 16. There are also virtual exhibitions to check out on their website.
Manhattan Beach Historical Society
The Manhattan Beach Historical Society has been active since the 1970s and operates out of a historic beach cottage in Polliwog Park. The museum features photographs, memorabilia, old newspaper articles, video series and more.
The museum house itself holds quite a bit of history in its walls. It was built around 1905 and cost $600 at the time. It represents the early beach cottages that were common to see as the population grew in the Beach Cities in the early 1900s.
“It represents a simpler Manhattan Beach – before it was incorporated, when sand dunes outnumbered houses, and visitors came via Pacific Electric or Santa Fe train,” the Manhattan Beach Historical Society website states.
Bio:
Emily McGinn is a journalist based in the Los Angeles area. She enjoys reporting on and writing about a variety of topics from lifestyle to news, especially in her areas of specialty, environmental science and political science.