Altadena’s History On Display
Beginning in 2015, the Historical Society has hosted exhibits in the small museum space within its archive. Past exhibits include Altadena in the Rose Parade, Interesting Altadenans, 5 Men Inspired by the Mountains, and Theatre Americana. We also create exhibits and displays in the lobby of the Altadena Community Center.
Current exhibit in the Altadena Community Center Lobby
Fourteen Decades of Altadena History, 1893 to 2017
The town of Altadena and the trees of Christmas tree lane began in 1893 and grew together for fourteen decades. This unique visual history of Altadena, located in the lobby of the Altadena Community Center, links the two by highlighting events from each decade to the annular rings on a slice of a deodar tree lost to drought in 2017.
Current Exhibit in the AHS archive exhibition space
Mount Lowe Railway (2023-2024)
The Disneyland of its day, Mount Lowe Railway drew visitors from all over the nation and the world to little Altadena, a small town below the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains. Its story is not only a history of the resort itself; it is also a microcosm of America from the late 1800s to just before World War I. This exhibit features images which reflect this bygone era along with Mt. Lowe Souvenir Spoons and other ephemera.
Eyes on Altadena (2020-2022)
The Disneyland of its day, Mount Lowe Railway drew visitors from all over the nation and the world to little Altadena, a small town below the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains. Its story is not only a history of the resort itself; it is also a microcosm of America from the late 1800s to just before World War I. This exhibit features images which reflect this bygone era along with Mt. Lowe Souvenir Spoons and other ephemera.
Theatre Americana (2018-2019)
A true community effort open to all, – a social activity and an artistic endeavor –illustrates what a community can accomplish together. The Theatre Americana, produced more than 300 plays during its heyday, most of which were original scripts and was a popular part of Altadena’s social scene.
Inspired by the San Gabriels: Five Men and the Mountains (2017-2018)
Five fascinating men who dedicated their lives to charting, conserving and promoting the San Gabriel Mountains they loved will be featured in the Historical Society’s new exhibit, “Inspired by the San Gabriels: Five Men and the Mountains.” Featuring their words, maps, photos and memorabilia from the 1890s through the 1950s, the exhibit profiles the unique characters and accomplishments of Theodore Lukens, Will Thrall, Don McLain, L.T. Gotchy and George Wharton James.
Interesting Altadenans (2016-2017)
Fifty-one famous and fascinating Altadenans—movie stars, artists, authors, scientists, athletes and more—are highlighted in a new exhibit at the Altadena Historical Society.
Altadena in the Rose Parade (2015-2016)
Our first exhibit will be ‘Altadena in the Rose Parade,’ and will display photos, documents and artifacts of the community’s 100-year participation in the internationally known event.