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Events in 2023

Candlelight Thanks for Giving Party

There is nothing more precious than the gift of time, and we want to thank each member and supporter of the Torrance Historical Society for yours. It's volunteers, friends, and supporters of the Torrance Historical Society who make a difference in this community -- starting right here with the Torrance Historical Society.

What: Annual Candlelight Thanks for Giving Party
Date: Thursday, November 30th
Time: 7:00 - 8:30 PM
Where: Torrance Historical Society & Museum - 1345 Post Avenue, (at Cravens), Old Torrance
RSVP: Debbie Hays, 310.561.7806 or debbie.simpson@acssoftware.com
Note: Light hors d'oeuvres will be served
Additional Info: 310.328.5392 (The Torrance Historical Society)


Visit With a Veteran

Veterans Day is an important day for showing appreciation to members of our military -- a celebration to honor America's Veterans for their patriotism, love of country, and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good. The Torrance Historical Society invites you, your family, and friends to join them in honoring our Veterans. Pull up a chair and visit with a Veteran: World War II, Korean War, Vietnam, Gulf War, Iraq, Afghanistan. Or, just stop by and say, "Thank you for your service!"

What: Visit with a Veteran
When: Sunday, November 12, 2023, (Veteran's Day is November 11th).
Time: 2:00 - 4:00 PM
Where: Torrance Historical Society & Museum - 1345 Post Avenue, (at Cravens), Old Torrance
No RSVP and No Charge: Please come, honor our Veterans and learn something new!
Notes: Light refreshments will be served.
Questions & Additional Info: Call the Museum at (310) 328-5392

"Wars may be fought with weapons, but they are won by men. It is the spirit of men who follow and of the man who leads that gains the victory." -- George S. Patton


Walking Tours of Downtown Torrance

When: Every fourth Sunday of the months, May, June, July, August, September, and October. Tour leaves promptly at 1:30 p.m. from the steps of the Museum and lasts approximately 90 minutes.
Where: Tour leaves from the steps of the Torrance Historical Society & Museum, 1345 Post Ave. The tour covers about eight blocks.
What: The free docent led walking tour is an easy but brisk walk. It will point out many of the historic sites and landmarks of Old Torrance. Guests will also learn about:

  • What's in the Torrance Memorial Time capsule (located in the Museum)
  • What three Torrance properties are on the National Register of Historic Places
  • Where the new Centennial Time Capsule Plaza is placed
  • The original street names of "Torrance Boulevard" and "Post Avenue"
  • What famous artist was commissioned to paint a mural on the side of the Employment Development Department building
  • About the explosion that helped start Torrance
  • Why the first homes built for the executives were rented, not sold
  • What building was originally intended for the site where Torrance High School now stands
  • How Torrance broke away from the Los Angeles Unified School District
  • Why Torrance does not have a cemetery
Cost: Free, donations accepted.
No RSVP Required - Open to the public
Notes: Wearing comfortable walking shoes are recommended. You're invited to bring your camera and a friend.
Questions & Additional Info: Call the Museum at (310) 328-5392.


Late Night Thursdays in August

What: Visit the museum on Thursday nights in August 2023 and visit with our special guest, Mike the Map Man each Thursday night. Also, enjoy a complimentary treat.

Mike the Map Man is back by popular demand - view decades worth of maps from our Historic Map Archives Torrance Historical Society & Museum. These maps are a MUST see - especially, when you have Mike the Map Man right there to tell you all about them! Each week will feature a different set of maps along with before-and-after photos relating to those particular maps. In addition enjoy the lively conversation that will ensue regarding these topographical displays and photographic images!

When: Museum will be open Thursday nights in August from 5:00PM - 8:00PM Thursdays, Aug 10th, 17th, 24th and 31st
In Honor: Jared Sidney Torrance Birthday, August 3, 1853
Location: Torrance Historical Society & Museum, 1345 Post Avenue
Cost: Free and open to the public - donations accepted.
Questions: Call the Museum at 310.328.5392 or send a message on our Contact Us page
Notes/Reminder: The Museum is open and free to the public on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Sundays from 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM. Special hours can be arranged for private tours or research by calling the Museum or sending a message on our Contact Us page.

While at The Museum, explore the Torrance Historical Society's collections:

  • See a photo of Mrs. Jared Sidney Torrance (Helena), and . . . take your own photo with Jared
  • Check out the historic Red Car photos and original ticket on display
  • Touch an original Torrance cowboy saddle (Torrance used to be a farming community -- with cows, pigs, minks, turkeys, strawberries, and flowers)
  • View the training shorts and sweatshirt Louis Zamperini wore during the 1936 Olympics, the luggage the community bought for him to attend the Olympic Tryouts in NY, and other "Lucky Louie" treasures

Since you're downtown for this event, make it a date-night, and dine at one of our local restaurants
See the list of restaurants located on the Old Torrance Neighborhood Website under the Community Events link: http://www.oldtorranceneighbors.org/community/events/index.html

Restaurants in Downtown Torrance

These establishments are all within walking distance of downtown Torrance. The City has created a Downtown Torrance Restaurant Guide.

For a list of Torrance Restaurants and Breweries, visit www.TorranceCA.Gov/TakeOut.


The Torrance Historical Society Rocks Around the Block in Celebration of the All-America City Award

The Torrance Historical Society Rocks Around the Block in Celebration of the All-America City Award.

What: FREE Family Fun, The Annual Torrance Historical Society, ROCK AROUND THE BLOCK. Nominal fee for optional food & beverage
Date: Thursday, July 20, 2023.
TIME: 5:00 - 8:00 PM
Location: Torrance Historical Society & Museum, 1345 Post Avenue
Cost: Free and open to the public - donations accepted. Nominal fee for food and beverage
Food for purchase: Munch on a meal in a box - Torrance Bakery's classic oven roasted turkey sandwich (or veggie), chips & salad (served from 5:00 PM - 7:30 PM - while supplies last - $11
Cash or check only, (no Venmo, Paypal nor credit cards). Small bills only and exact change appreciated.
Info: For questions or additional information, please visit or call the Museum at (310) 328-5392.

The Torrance Historical Society and our sponsors will host this 1950s-style family summer event in celebration of Torrance's All-America City Award -- one of America's original and most prestigious community recognition awards. The City received this award for "Growth without strain" back in the 1956 when Albert Isen was Mayor of Torrance. This free event is open to the public and will be held in front of the Museum (1345 Post Avenue). Post Avenue will be blocked off from Cravens to Sartori, so guests can:

  • Bop to 50s music by a live DJ
  • See special exhibits featuring the original congratulatory telegram from President Eisenhower, along with the All-America City button & logo
  • See memorabilia from the Louis Zamperini Trust Collection
  • Check-out the Torrance high school yearbooks -- the Torrance Historical Society has the largest collection
  • Enter the hula hoop, bubble gum blowin', Torrance Bakery Cake walk and pie eating contests - there are prizes!
  • Play retro games like paint a pet rock.
  • Nominal charge for all food at the event.
  • Alex Hattori, world-renowned yo-yo champ, will also be on stage amazing the crowd with his award winning tricks and will do a live demo for those who want to learn the skill of yo-yo-ing!
  • Guests will also have the opportunity to learn hands-on CPR from the Torrance Fire Dept. to the Bee Gee's song "Stayin' Alive."

  • See vintage, classic, and late-model vehicles.
  • If you would like to show your vehicle:

    All vehicles are welcome, not just cars. You must pre-register to participate.
    It is FREE to participate.
    Call Joann or Alan Miyamoto to register - 310.538.3359.
    Registration deadline is Friday, July 14, 2023.
    Registration REQUIRED to participate in the Car Show.
    Registration is limited to 75 vehicles.
    Please supply your name, email address and cell number.
    • Vehicles are shown from 5:00pm - 8:00pm
    Pre-registered cars must check-in between 2:00pm - 4:00pm at Post at Cravens

    See the flyer for Car Show details.

  • The Bartlett Senior (over 50) Center, (behind the Torrance Historical Society & Museum building at 1318 Cravens, (310) 320-5918), will also be hosting an Open House this same night -- you can dine inside this year! The Torrance Woman's Club will have their 1950s Club scrapbook available for viewing! Also, the Torrelles -- a group of City employees who sing 50s and 60s songs a cappella, will entertain guests while strolling through the crowd.

This FREE 1950s-style family event is sponsored by Sares Regis Group, and hosted in partnership with the City of Torrance, and Old Torrance Neighborhood Association.


Annual Membership Meeting, Re-instatement of Officers & Piano Concert

What: Annual Meeting, re-instatement of Officers for 2023-2024 and Piano Concert

This year, for our Annual Meeting, we hosted a very special Piano Concert in the Museum.

The newest gift to the Society was showcased - a Chickering piano donated by the family of Jared Sidney Torrance. This piano was passed down through three generations of our city founder's family. The acoustics in our 1936 WPA Building enhanced the music coming from the 5.5-octave rosewood Victorian Square Boudoir "baby grand" Chickering piano (circa 1850s).

Pianist and Torrance resident Mark Roulette had the honor of tickling the ivories for our listening pleasure.

Chickering piano

Date: Sunday, June 4, 2023
Time: 11:00 AM
Where: Torrance Historical Society & Museum
1345 Post Ave, Torrance, CA 90501
Street parking
RSVP:Call the Museum at 310.328.5392 or email Debbie Hays: debbie.simpson@acssoftware.com. In addition to calling, your check must be received to confirm your reservation.
RSVP no later than June 2, 2023
NO WALK-INS
Cost: $10.00 per person - includes Museum admission, piano concert by Mark Roulette and mini continental brunch. Must be mailed immediately after RSVPing to the Museum.
Include the name, email address, and phone number of each person in your group.
Mail checks to: Torrance Historical Society
1345 Post Ave
Torrance, CA 90501
Make checks payable to "Torrance Historical Society"
Additional Info: If you have any questions or would like additional information, please visit www.torrancehistoricalsociety.org or call the Museum at (310) 328-5392. Note: Seating for this event is limited, so mail your check now to reserve your spot.

See link for newly revised By Laws.

Since this is our Annual Meeting, we'll also take a few minutes for a bit of "housekeeping." Normally that would include voting for and installations of the Officers of the board for the 2023 - 2024 year.

This year it will also include the adoption of the revised "Bylaws". See the link listed above for the newly revised Bylaws. This includes but is not limited to board member duties being clarified, the number of board members being scaled down and some of the titles of the board being changed among many other items.

The list of the 2023-2024 Board Members along with their new titles will be announced and appointed at the Annual Meeting. The results will be posted soon after the Annual Meeting on the Board Members page on this website.

Note

The list of the 2023-2024 Board Members along with their new titles were announced and appointed at the Annual Meeting on June 4, 2023 Newly revised Bylaws were also adopted at this meeting.

The newly revised Bylaws include but are not limited to board member duties being clarified, the number of board members being scaled down and some of the titles of the board being changed among many other items.


Names on the Wall Remembrance

Here is the Youtube link for the 2023 Reading of the Names on the Wall Remembrance covered by Torrance CitiCABLE.

The Torrance Historical Society will conduct a memorial service for Torrance service personnel who gave their lives in U. S. military actions. The program will include the reading of the 146 Names on the Wall. Those names include war losses from World War I to those in the Iraq and Afghanistan Wars. The Reading of the Names is conducted at the Veterans' Memorial Wall at Memorial Plaza.

Immediately after the reading of the Names on the Wall, a showing of the Names on the Wall Documentary by Dennis Kwong will take place at the THS Museum.

What: Names on the Wall Remembrance
Reading of the names on the Memorial Wall, followed by a free showing of the Names on the Wall Documentary at the THS Museum
When: Memorial Day - Monday, May 29th 2:00 PM (see location)
Location: City of Torrance Veterans' Memorial Wall at Memorial Plaza, Torrance Blvd. at Maple at 2:00PM
See info below under "Note" for showing of the Names of the Wall Documentary
Cost: Free and open to the public
Note:Immediately following the Reading, the Names on the Wall Documentary by Dennis Kwong will be shown in the Museum - Free
Additional Info or Questions: Call the Museum at (310) 328-5392.

"On Monday, we will be grateful for the gift of those who never came home. We will remember -- every day is Memorial Day. We will pray that we may never add another name to that cold, black wall," noted Jerry Ronan, Torrance Historical Society Board Member and WWII Veteran.

We also remember Jerry Ronan, past Torrance Historical Society Board Member, WWII Veteran and the Jared Sidney Torrance Award recipient in 2021, who started the Names on the Wall Project. Jerry caught the last train out on December 9th, 2021. He was 95. May he rest in peace.

Note: With the help of a handful of volunteers, the Torrance Historical Society is continuing to gather and preserve the too-short life story of each of the Torrance military war causalities. To date, the organization is over halfway to their goal of putting a face on each name. The organization aspires to research, and place in the Museum archives, the story of each of these heroes.

For more information and if you would like to volunteer with this project please visit the Opportunities page or call the Museum 310.328.5392.

City of Torrance Veterans Memorial  



Women's History Month
Kickin' It - AYSO Girl Power History of Women's Soccer

What: History of Women's Soccer - Guest Speaker Jan Smisek
Date: Sunday, March 19th, 2023
Time: 2:00 PM
Where: Torrance Historical Society & Museum - 1345 Post Avenue, (at Cravens), Old Torrance
Parking: Free on-street parking is available
Cost: Free Event - Donations accepted
Note: "Side-line soccer refreshments" will be served.
Additional Info / Questions: Call the Museum 310.328.5392 or visit torrancehistoricalsociety.org

In celebration of Women's History Month, the Torrance Historical Society is hosting an event entitled: Kickin' It - AYSO Girl Power - History of Women's Soccer.

Jan Smisek, who was on the first all-girl AYSO team (see attached photo), on the first Varsity Team at West High School, started club soccer at UCSB, and spearheaded the growth of Women's Soccer in the USA, and more, is the guest speaker.

Born-and-raised in Torrance, Smisek grew-up in West Torrance where AYSO was founded in 1964 - starting with only nine (all boy) teams lead by a handful of soccer enthusiasts who wanted American kids to have the opportunity to learn, and love, the game of soccer. However, it wasn’t until 1971, that a girls' team was finally formed.

Though knowing nothing about the game of soccer, Smisek's parents didn't just stand on the sidelines. Her dad, Dick, was recruited as Head Referee (he may have not known the "rules," but he knew people and could get Referees). Her mom, Ann, was one of the first Team Moms, and promoted the idea of healthy snacks - hence the tradition of sliced orange wedges at half-time. Together, her parents were instrumental in getting girls' soccer as a legitimate sport in Torrance TUSD. This was the beginning of Women's Soccer History in Torrance, and the USA.

At West High School (WHS) (1972-1975), Smisek participated in Soccer, Softball and Track earning Varsity Letters in all three - Soccer (2), Softball (2), Track (1).

These were lean years for girls' sports, opportunities grew with the advent of Title IX in 1972, but not without a struggle. At the time, WHS only offered girls interscholastic Volleyball, Gymnastics and Tennis. Soccer and Softball were added in 1974 and Track in 1975. Up to that point, all other girls' sports opportunities were through the Girls Athletic Association Club.

Smisek, who now lives in Washington, was named as one of the Top 50 Soccer Citizens by Washington Youth Soccer as part of their 50th Anniversary Celebration in 2016. She was also named a "Soccer Legend" by the Reign FC, (now known as OLReign) an American professional women's soccer team based in Seattle, Washington, in 2019.

Girls AYSO Allstars  


Stumped?! - Photo Challenge

Do you remember the White Front store, the oil derricks that used to dot the land where the Del Amo Fashion Center now stands, the turkey farm, strawberry fields, milk dairies . . . ? Test your knowledge of what's what and what was where as our photo historians - LeRoy Jackson, Paul Wisman, and Mike Maiuri - try and STUMP you with old photos from the archives.

  • View images from the Museum's extensive archives
  • Identify photos
  • Be STUMPED, or not
  • Join others in a FUN & informational afternoon

Date: Sunday, February 19, 2023
Time: 2:00 PM
Where: Torrance Historical Society - 1345 Post Ave., Torrance 90501

This event is free and open to the public. Light refreshments will be served.


Tea at 4:00 for You, Me & More

The afternoon will include . . .

  • Sampling a variety of CHADO's 10 freshly steeped loose-leaf teas
  • Sumptuous tea sandwiches
  • Freshly baked scones with CHADO's famous cream
  • Assorted delicious desserts
  • Opportunity to win fabulous gift baskets
  • Time to visit and chat with all the other teetotalers

When: Saturday, February 18th, 2023
Time: 4:00 PM, (doors open at 3:50 PM)
Where: CHADO Tea Room - 1303 El Prado Avenue, Old Torrance
Parking: Free on-street parking is available
RSVP: Reserve your seat today or ASAP -Call the museum at 310.328.5392 - no later than Thursday, February 9th
Don't delay - Each year, this is a SOLD OUT event!
Cost: $45 per person -- seating is limited, so reservations are required and will be taken on a first come/first served basis.
Checks (made payable to the "Torrance Historical Society") are to be mailed to:
Torrance Historical Society, 1345 Post Avenue, Torrance, CA 90501.

Payment must be received within 48 hours of reservation in order to hold your spot.

Note: In order to reserve a table, it will need to be paid in full at the time of reservation - please include first and last names, emails, and phone numbers for those in your group, (even if it's just two in your "group") with whom you'd like to sit.
Attire: Tea attire -- hats and gloves, optional
Questions or additional Info: Call the museum 310.328.5392 or see our Contact Us page: http://www.torrancehistoricalsociety.org/contact/

Proceeds from this fund-raiser directly benefit the Museum - archiving activities, historical discoveries, research projects, special programs, its operation and exhibits.


Stories & Conversations

You're invited to join us for an afternoon of lively stories and conversations. Everybody has a favorite Torrance story - whether it be the marriage of the malls, the crack of the wood oil derricks breaking and running over there to saw them up for firewood, or the remembrance of the Foremost Milk Truck that went neighborhood-to-neighborhood to take family photos . . . come share yours!

  • Stories - share one, or join in
  • Conversations - listen & enjoy

Moderators for the afternoon will be Janet Payne - Torrance Historical Society VP, and LeRoy Jackson - former City Manager.

When: Sunday, January 29, 2023
Where: Torrance Historical Society & Museum - 1345 Post Ave., Torrance 90501
Time: 2:00 PM
Cost: This event is FREE and open to the public. Donations are accepted.
Notes: No reservations are required. Light refreshments will be served.
Questions or additional Info: Call the museum at 310.328.5392 or use the contact us page on the website http://www.torrancehistoricalsociety.org/contact


Past Events

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