Santa Monica History Museum

Discover. Explore. Experience.
Sharing the history of the Santa Monica Bay area.
Located in beautiful Santa Monica, California

[Santa Monica History Museum @SMHistoryMuseum]

@YoVenice Interesting facts not mentioned in the story: Abbott Kinney is buried there. And, at one time Woodlawn expanded via eminent domain, destroying several blocks of a predominantly Black neighborhood in the process.

[Santa Monica History Museum @SMHistoryMuseum]

In case it wasn't obv, please find us and sooooo many other #cultural and #arts organizations and #museums on Instagram, TikTok, Threads, Bluesky, Facebook and YouTube

[Santa Monica History Museum @SMHistoryMuseum]

Seriously. Please.
Donate Today: https://t.co/qi7mmPWYJT

Thank you.
We Are #SantaMonica #History
#GivingTuesday

[Santa Monica History Museum @SMHistoryMuseum]

1975 Ceremonial dance at the Santa Monica Civic Center.

We Are #SantaMonica #History
#WhoseLandAreYouOn
Outlook Collection (1998.1.177)

[Santa Monica History Museum @SMHistoryMuseum]

The perfect gift is a print from the SMHM archive. Order by December 10 for pick-up at SMHM in time for Holiday! Christmas, Kwanzaa, Hanukkah, Solstice, no matter what you celebrate, we've got you covered.

https://t.co/2b1UKco8YN

We Are #SantaMonica #History

[Santa Monica History Museum @SMHistoryMuseum]

It's National Cake Day! Yes, that's really a thing and it's today. We never joke about cake. Mmmmmmm.
Schober's Purity Bakery, 429 Santa Monica Blvd, Santa Monica.

We Are #SantaMonica #History
Bill Beebe Collection (3.2.5288)

[Santa Monica History Museum @SMHistoryMuseum]

Order today for in time for Holiday! Christmas, Kwanzaa, Hanukkah, Solstice, no matter what you celebrate, we've got you covered.

https://t.co/2b1UKco8YN

We Are #SantaMonica #History

[Santa Monica History Museum @SMHistoryMuseum]

Venice Post Office under construction. 1939.

We Are #SantaMonica #History
Bill Beebe Collection (3.2.10868)

[Santa Monica History Museum @SMHistoryMuseum]

On this day in 1850 a man of vision and tenacity was born. His imprint upon #LosAngeles has been enduring. Happy Birthday, Abbot Kinney! Founder, Venice of America.

SMHM/Abbot Kinney Collection
(36.2.3742) ca1900, (36.2.3287), undated. (36.2.3289), undated

[Santa Monica History Museum @SMHistoryMuseum]

Originally named the Stratoliner, next as part of the nautical-themed Pacific Ocean Park, it was transformed into Mister Dolphin and then later renamed Mahi Mahi.

#SantaMonica #History
Bill Beebe Collection (3.2.2563) undated (circa 1950s)

[Santa Monica History Museum @SMHistoryMuseum]

We were honored to have Joshua Marín-Mora from Assemblymember Rick Chavez-Zbur's office join us for Día de los Muertos and present students with beautiful certificates.

Admission to this special pop-up exhibition is FREE.
We Are #SantaMonica #History
@AsmRickZbur @joshua_marinm

[Assemblymember Rick Chavez Zbur @AsmRickZbur]

Our Field Rep. Joshua presented certificates to local high school students for their beautiful Día de los Muertos altars currently on display at the @SMHistoryMuseum.

Make sure to stop by before Nov. 15 and see this special exhibition!

[Santa Monica History Museum @SMHistoryMuseum]

Today is National Cat Day so here's some Venetian gents with their kitten. Lloyd Kinney with William Ellis Kinney at home, 535 Indiana Avenue, Venice, California circa 1913.

We Are #SantaMonica #History
Tom Watson Collection (300.2.35)

[Santa Monica History Museum @SMHistoryMuseum]

From the Tongva people to contemporary beach town, the exhibition delves into the heart of Santa Monica’s housing legacy.
Open today and Sunday 11 - 5.
We Are #SantaMonica #History

[Santa Monica History Museum @SMHistoryMuseum]

1934 construction of the Santa Monica breakwater.

We Are #SantaMonica #History
Outlook Collection (1998.1.826)

[Santa Monica History Museum @SMHistoryMuseum]

SMHM offices are closed today in observance of Indigenous Peoples' Day.

#WhoseLandAreYouOn

We Are #SantaMonica #History
Outlook Collection (1998.1.1576), Gabrielino Chief Vera Rocha, 1993.

[Santa Monica History Museum @SMHistoryMuseum]

Come Get Your History On.
In the Quinn at the Santa Monica History Museum, From the Ground Up, The Life of Vernon Brunson.

We Are #SantaMonica #History
https://t.co/mwQJHYnzqU

[Santa Monica History Museum @SMHistoryMuseum]

If you're very, very lucky, you started your day just like this. Remnants of Pacific Ocean Park in the distance.

We Are #SantaMonica #History
Outlook Collection (1998.1.172) 1975

[Santa Monica History Museum @SMHistoryMuseum]

Their history is inextricably tied to the history of the Santa Monica Bay Area.

[Santa Monica History Museum @SMHistoryMuseum]

Get In Here. We Open at 11.