See our contact us page for the most up to date hours and days the museum is open and closed or call the museum (310) 328-5392 to verify.

We continue to work behind the scenes -- getting new bronze plaques made, researching, partnering with the City on activities, providing photos for companies, and more!

Research and archive access are available by appointment. To make an appointment, use the contact form on the contact us page or call the museum (310) 328 5392.

There is no charge for events unless otherwise noted. Donations appreciated. Credit cards and Paypal are not accepted except as noted. Cash and checks are accepted unless otherwise noted.

All events are at the Torrance Historical Society & Museum unless otherwise noted.

Torrance Historical Society & Museum
1345 Post Avenue (at Cravens)
Torrance, CA 90501
310-328-5392

Free, on-street parking is available on Post and Cravens within steps of the Museum.

Events in 2023

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

THS Yearly Events

Below have been yearly THS Events.
Please call the museum (310.328.5392) to verify the dates and times.
See our website or call the museum for additional events and specifics.

Names on the Wall Remembrance

Here is the YouTube link to the 2022 Reading of the Names on the Names on the Wall Remembrance. It includes touching words from Kurt Weidemann, Torrance Historical Society Board member about Jerry Ronan. See notes below regarding Jerry Ronan.

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.

What: Names on the Wall Remembrance
When: Memorial Day, the last Monday in May, 2:00 PM (see location listed below)
Location: City of Torrance Veterans' Memorial Wall at Memorial Plaza, Torrance Blvd. at Maple at 2:00PM
Cost: Free and open to the public
Info: If you have any questions or would like additional information, please visit Torrance Historical & Society and Museum, or 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, retired 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

 

Annual Meeting & Installation of Officers - Date TBA

We will also vote on the Proposed Slate of Officers for the upcoming year (from June of one year to June of the next).

Date: Usually held the first or possibly the 2nd Sunday in June - Date TBA
RSVP: is required: 310.328.5392 - call the Museum to reserve your spot
Proposed Board Positions: Slate TBA
Parliamentarian (By appointment)*
* THS Bylaws state that position of Parliamentarian is filled by appointment of President.

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
When: Usually the third week in July (usually the 3rd Thursday)
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: TBA
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.
Please continue to check here for updates.

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.
• See vintage, classic, and late-model vehicles.

If you would like to show your vehicle in the Car Show at Rock the day of the event:
All vehicles are welcome, not just cars. You must pre-register -- contact the Museum to find out who to contact for pre-registration. Vehicles are shown from 5:00pm - 8:00pm. Pre-registered vehicles must check-in between 2:00pm - 4:00pm at Post Ave. and Cravens.

The Bartlett Senior Center (over age 50), (behind the Torrance Historical Society & Museum building at 1318 Cravens, (310) 320-5918), usually hosts an Open House this same night -- TBA if you can dine inside or outside on their patio. The Torrance Woman's Club will have their 1950s Club scrapbook available for viewing. The Torrelles -- a group of City employees who sing 50s and 60s songs in a cappella, will entertain guests while strolling through the crowd.

This FREE 1950s-style family event (sponsor to be announced), and hosted in partnership with the City of Torrance, and Old Torrance Neighborhood Association.

Late Night Thursdays in August

What: Visit the museum on open Thursday nights in August and visit with our special guests.
When: Museum is usually open some or all Thursday nights in August from 5:00PM - 8:00PM
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 also open and free to the public on other days - call the museum to verify Special hours can be arranged for private tours or research by calling the Museum or sending a message on our contact us page.

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.

Annual Summer Stroll - DATE TBA - Usually a Wednesday night in August

This is always sold-out-in-a-flash Summer event. Call right away to reserve your spot.

See Torrance Historical Society's 2019 Summer Stroll video here.

What: The Annual Summer Stroll - docent-led walking tour of Old Torrance Historic Buildings and a taste of what is inside.

You will tour some of the hip restaurants in Old Torrance for a sip & a snack, and a peek into the past behind the brick and mortar.

When Torrance was founded in 1912, business began to build. Downtown Torrance, which was in the center of the original footprint of the City, soon became the heartbeat of the town. A century later, many a business has come and gone through those old buildings - they each have a story to tell.

Not only will you learn the building's history, we'll show you old photos of the "before", as you stand in the "now."

When: Usually a Wednesday night in August - date TBA , Begins 6:00PM SHARP! - You must be on time!
Location: Meet at Torrance Historical Society & Museum, 1345 Post Avenue, at Cravens.
Who: Adults, 21 years and older ONLY.
Cost: $ TBA per person, (reservations required, adults only). Space is limited. No refunds. See info under "RSVP".
Make checks payable to: "Torrance Historical Society" No credit / debit cards nor Paypal accepted.
Mail check to:
Torrance Historical Society
1345 Post Ave.
Torrance, CA 90501
Buildings on Tour: TBA
RSVP: 310.328.5392 or email Debbie Hays debbie.simpson@acssoftware.com.

Reservations honored on a first-come/first-served basis. Payment must be received within 48 hours of reservation in order to hold your spot. This is always a SOLD-OUT event each year and sells out FAST.

Questions & Additional Info: Questions and additional information, please visit www.torrancehistoricalsociety.org or call the Museum at (310) 328-5392.

All money raised will be used to fund programs and projects for the Torrance Historical Society & Museum.

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.

What: Visit with a Veteran
When: Usually the Sunday, close to Veteran's Day in November, (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!
Questions & Additional Info: Questions and additional information, please visit www.torrancehistoricalsociety.org or 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

Original Fall Tour of Historic Homes

This has been a biennial THS Event held on EVEN numbered years, the 2nd weekend in October.

The primary fund-raiser and signature event for the Torrance Historical Society & Museum is its biennial Tour of Historic Homes - a long standing tradition in the City of Torrance since 1980, (except when it was cancelled due to Covid-19). This biennial, self guided event is open to the general public.

You will tour the inside of approximately a half dozen homes, and will see how others have renovated, updated and decorated their historic homes to accommodate today's life-style, yet managed to preserve the charming architecture and characteristics of the past.

Past Events

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