Events in 2013
'Twas the Night Before Christmas
Date: Sunday, December 15th
Time: 4:00 p.m. - Please come on time. Event lasts less than one
hour.
Cost: Free - donations accepted
Questions: Call (310) 328-5392
No Reservations Required
Children of all ages and adults who are young at heart, are invited to the
Torrance Historical Society & Museum for a reading of the holiday classic,
'Twas the Night Before Christmas. Each child must be accompanied by an adult.
Looking dapper with his waxed handlebar mustache, silk lounging jacket and
spats, Michael George, guest historian and THS advisor, will cozy down in an antique wingback chair and delight
listeners with this magical tale.
There will be a surprise visit by Santa.
Each guest will leave with a treat, compliments of COSTCO, and one lucky winner
will go home with a copy of the book - 'Twas the Night before Christmas"!
There also will be opportunity drawings for Beanie Babies.
This event is free, open to the public, and requires no reservations, so bring
a friend -- or two!
"Thanks for Giving" Volunteer Reception
When: Thursday, November 7th, 6:30 PM
Location: Torrance Historical Society & Museum, 1345 Post Ave.
Who: THS volunteers and members only - by invitation
Info: If you have any questions or would like additional information, please
visit www.torrancehistoricalsociety.org or call the Museum at (310) 328-5392.
Selected Readings of Edgar Allan Poe
From Torrance to Transylvania, from Redondo to Romania, to the always haunted
Torrance Historical Society & Museum, you are cordially invited to participate
in an Evening of Poe(try) -- selected readings of Edgar Allan Poe.
The ghost of Hamlet might be invoked, the Headless Horseman could gallop by,
Dr .Frankenstein's Monster may be in the neighborhood and THE RAVEN will
certainly announce his endless refrain of NEVERMORE'.
INVITE all your ghastly, ghostly and ghoulish friends (Zombies and Vampires by
special invitation only!)
RECITE a scary poem by a favorite author or share one of your own ghastly
odes, (or, just listen to those being read).
READ a terrible tale like Vincent Price used to do -- think Ambrose Bierce,
H.P. Lovecraft, Nathaniel Hawthorne or even Stephen King
When: Sunday, October 27th
Where: Torrance Historical Society & Museum - 1345 Post Avenue, Historic Old
Torrance
Time: Twilight (5:00 PM) - 7:00 PM
Attire: Costumes encouraged, but not required for entry
Cost: This is event is free, open to the public, (present and past), no
reservations are required.
We hope you can join us, and other daring souls, as we get into the spirit of
the season. There will be candy and other tricky treats!
Walking Tours of Downtown Torrance
Every fourth Sunday of the month, May, June, July, August, September, and October.
Tour leaves promptly at 1:30 p.m.and lasts approximately 90 minutes.
Tour leaves from the front of the Museum
Wear comfy walking shoes. Tour covers about eight blocks.
Free - donations accepted.
The docent led tour begins at the Torrance Historical Society & Museum (1345
Post Avenue) at 1:30 PM, and 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
The tour is an easy, but brisk walk covering eight blocks - the walk is approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes. It's
open to the public, requires no reservations, and is
hosted on the fourth Sunday of every month,
May - October. Comfortable walking shoes are
recommended. You're invited to bring your camera, and a
friend.
Late Night Thursdays
What: Late Night Thursdays - Museum open until 8:00PM
Treats will be served. Please stop by and visit with our special guests
from 6:00 - 8:00PM.
When: Thursdays, July 25th - August 29th, 1:00PM - 8:00PM
Location: Torrance Historical Society & Museum, 1345 Post Avenue
Cost: Free and open to the public - donations accepted.
Info: If you have any questions or would like additional information,
please visit
www.torrancehistoricalsociety.org
or call the Museum at (310) 328-5392.
Special Guests Schedule:
Thursday, July 25th
1950s video all about Torrance -- 30 minutes long (it will be playing from
4:00 PM - 8:00 PM).
Thursday, August 1st
Chat with Chuck Lobb, author of Torrance Airport.
Chuck will discuss the
research and discoveries that led to his book on one of Torrance's most
famous landmarks, Torrance Municipal Airport at Zamperini Field.
Thursday, August 8th
Check out high school yearbooks -- the Torrance Historical Society has the
largest collection in the City.
Thursday, August 15th
View the DVD "Bricks: A Torrance Centennial Tribute" -- a year's worth of
events which took place during the Centennial year (2012) presented in just
seven minutes (it will be playing from 4:00 PM - 8:00 PM).
Thursday, August 22nd
Mike the Map Man is back by popular demand -- view decades worth of maps
from our Historic Map Archives
Thursday, August 29th
Cowabunga, Baby! Jamie Ruth Watson, Torrance Historical Society President,
librarian and historian, will talk "Surf Torrance."
Summer Stroll
What: 2nd 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 100 years ago, 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." The buildings on tour include - The
Red Car Brewery & Restaurant, Tortilla Cantina, Buffalo Fire Dept., 1321
Taproom Bistro, Just Luigi's, Amore Vino and Torrance Bakery.
When:Thursday, August 8th, 6:00PM SHARP! - You must be on time!
Location: Meet at Torrance Historical Society & Museum, 1345 Post
Avenue
Who: Adults, 21 years and older only
Cost: $30.00 per person - Reservations required. Space is limited.
Make checks payable to: "Torrance Historical Society"
Mail to: Torrance Historical Society
1345 Post Ave.
Torrance, CA 90501
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 was a sold-out event last year.
Info: If you have any questions or would like additional information, please
visit
www.torrancehistoricalsociety.org
or call the Museum at (310) 328-5392.
The Torrance Historical Society Rocks Around the Block in Celebration of the
All-America City Award
When: Thursday, July 18, 2013 5:00PM - 8:00PM
Location: Torrance Historical Society & Museum, 1345 Post Avenue
Cost: Free and open to the public - donations accepted. Nominal fee for food
and beverage
Info: If you have any questions or would like additional information, please
visit
or call the Museum at (310) 328-5392.
This is a fund raiser for the Torrance Historical Society & Museum.
See the flyer for this event.
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
- Munch on burgers from the IN-N-OUT burger wagon (burgers
served from 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM, $7.50 for food &
beverages; see below)
- See special exhibits featuring the original
congratulatory telegram from President Eisenhower, along
with the All-America City button & logo
- Check-out high school yearbooks -- the Torrance
Historical Society has the largest collection
- Enter the hula hoop, bubble gum blowin', cake
walk and pie eating contests - there are prizes!
Tickets for the IN-N-OUT burger wagon can be purchased at the "burger
desk" on the Museum lawn during the event. Cash or personal check, made
payable to the Torrance Historical Society will be accepted. Sorry no
credit cards are accepted. Exact change is appreciated.
Burgers, chips and a fountain drink will be available for $7.50 until 7:30 p.m. or until
sold out. Please arrive early due limited availability.
The Bartlett Senior (over 50) Center will also be hosting an Open House
this same night -- you can dine on their patio and listen to The South
Bay Strummers (ukulele group)! The Torrance Woman's Club will also have
their 1950s Club scrapbook available for viewing. Also, the Torrelles
-- a group of City employees who sing 50s and 60s songs in a cappella,
will entertain guests.
This FREE 1950s-style family event is hosted in partnership with the City
of Torrance and Old Torrance Neighborhood Association.
If you have any questions or would like additional
information, please call the Museum at (310) 328-5392 or visit
www.TorranceHistoricalSociety.org.
Annual Meeting and Board Installation
When: Sunday, June 2
Time: Brunch 11:45AM
Location: The Depot Restaurant
Cost: $25.00 per person - limited reservations - nonrefundable
RSVP: by Wednesday, May 29, 2013 *(310)328-5392
Theme: Celebrating 100 years - The Bridge, (Irving Gill, Architect)
The Torrance Bridge and The Depot are both structures designed by the
renowned Dominguez Land Company's in-house architect, Irving Gill.
Historic Preservationist Shane Swerdlow of
Chattel, Inc. will illustrate how
Gill's work, style and importance of his Torrance projects represent and
contribute to his portfolio.
Who: THS members and their guests; by invitation only
Info: If you have any questions or would like additional information,
please visit
www.torrancehistoricalsociety.org
or call the Museum at (310) 328-5392.
Irving Gill-Designed Bridge Celebrates 100th Birthday
This year, our Bridge is celebrating its 100th birthday, and after a century
-- it's time for a facelift.
The City of Torrance is currently in construction of the rehabilitation,
repair and beautification of the Historic Pacific Electric Railroad Bridge,
listed in the National Register of Historical Places. The restoration project
will consist of concrete repairs of cracks and spalls on the bridge deck,
girders, columns, wingwall, soffit, wooden railing replacement, surface
cleaning and vegetation grubbing, and lighting. These improvements will meet
the Secretary of Interior Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties
as well as current California and Federal building and Public Works Codes and
standards.
Construction begins Wednesday, February 13th, with a tentative completion date
of Wednesday, May 8th, 2013.
Historical preservation consulting firm Chattel, Inc.
is providing restoration services for the project.
Historical Note: This graceful railroad bridge, designed in 1913 by the
renowned Dominguez Land Corp.'s in-house architect, Irving Gill, allowed the
trains to carry the raw materials and finished goods of Torrance's factories
so that they would not block Los Angeles-bound motor traffic on Torrance Blvd.
The bridge also carried the noise and vibration of the rail cars away from the
city's downtown Torrance depot and made it possible for goods manufactured
here to be shipped via Los Angeles and San Pedro.
The bridge is located on Torrance Blvd., west of Western Ave. In 1989, it
became the second property in Torrance to be placed on the National Register
of Historic Places.
For additional information, visit:
The Pacific Electric Railroad Bridge Rehabilitation and Beautification
Project
Contact:
Lea Reis, Assoc. Engineer
City of Torrance Public Works Dept.
Phone: 310.618-3055 voice
Email: Lreis@TorranceCA.Gov
Bridge Rededication on Thursday, May 23, at 4:30 pm.
See ceremony
pictures.
Names on the Wall Remembrance
What: Names on the Wall Remembrance
When: Memorial Day - Monday, May 27th 2:00 PM & about 3:330PM
Location: City of Torrance Veterans' Memorial Wall Torrance Blvd. at
Maple at 2:00PM
Torrance Historical Society & Museum at about 3:330PM (after the memorial
service above)
Cost: Free and open to the public
Info: If you have any questions or would like additional information, please
visit www.torrancehistoricalsociety.org
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, Torrance Historical Society Board Member and WWII Veteran.
Immediately following the memorial service, (reading the names on the wall),
please join us at the Museum for a screening of Dennis Kwong's Names on the Wall documentary video,
which catalogues the research behind the Names on the Wall project.
Fountain Pen Collecting - Something to Write Home About
It wasn't until the 1800s that people began to trade in their quills and ink
wells for fountain pens with internal ink reservoirs -- which were filled with
eye droppers. On Sunday, April 28, 2013, at 2:00 PM in the Torrance
Historical Society & Museum, Charles Payne, local pen fancier and collector,
will discuss the fun of collecting fountain pens.
The presentation won't give you writer's cramp, but it will give you
something to write home about. All attendees will have the opportunity to
purchase a Torrance postcard ($1), and write a note to someone special with a
collectable fountain pen. A portion of Payne's extensive collection will be
on display in the Museum through June.
This program is free and open to the public, and refreshments will be served.
Seating is limited and will be available on a first-come/first-served basis --
no reservations are required. For additional information, call 310.328.5392.
What: Fountain Pen Collecting - Something to Write Home About,
Discussion with Charles Payne and Museum Exhibit
Host: Charles Payne, local pen fancier and collector
Discussion: Sunday, April 28th, 2:00pm
Exhibit: A portion of Payne's exhibit will be on display in the
Museum through June.
Location: The Torrance Historical Society & Museum
Cost: Donations accepted; no charge
No RSVP: Seating is limited and is available on a first come first
served basis
Info: If you have any questions or would like additional
information, please visit
www.torrancehistoricalsociety.org
or call the Museum at (310) 328-5392.
Celebrating Women in History - Torrance Library, The Early Years - Why was it
in a house?
Jamie Ruth Watson will discuss the early beginnings of the public libraries
in the United States. Jared Sidney Torrance's vision for his new community
will be shared, as will history of Mrs. Isabel Torrance Henderson, who opened
the first library in her living room in 1913. The presentation will be
illustrated with photos and other original materials from the Torrance
Historical Society Museum's archives. This event is sponsored by the Torrance Historical
Society in honor of the Torrance Public Library's Century of Service.
Host: Jamie Ruth Watson.
Jamie Ruth is a retired Librarian, history buff, world
traveler and Torrance Historical Society Advisor.
When: Sunday, March 17, 2013, 2:00PM
Location: Torrance Historical Society & Museum, 1345 Post Avenue
Cost: Free and open to the public - donations accepted.
Info: If you have any questions or would like additional information, please
visit
www.torrancehistoricalsociety.org
or call the Museum at (310) 328-5392.
Seating is limited, come early. No reservations accepted.
Tea at Two - a Valentine's Day Tea and Program
The Torrance Historical Society & Museum is hosting Tea at Two - a
Valentine's Day Tea and Program at the Museum on Sunday, February 10th, and
the pleasure of your company is requested for this afternoon of tea, delicious
delicacies and history!
Proceeds from this fund-raiser directly benefit the Museum - archiving
activities, historical discoveries, research projects, special programs, its
operation and exhibits.
The day will include . . .
- Miss Maureen O’Donnell highlighting the History of Tea
- Each table will feature a teapot from the private collection of Jamie
Ruth Watson
- Vintage Linen Sale from the private collection of Janet Stancliff
- Opportunity to win Tea Party gift baskets
When: Sunday, February 10th, 2013
Where: Torrance Historical Society & Museum - 1345 Post
Avenue, Old Torrance
Time: 2:00 PM
Cost: $14 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
RSVP: 310.328.5392 - no later than Sunday, February 3rd
Info: 310.328.5392 or visit:
www.TorranceHistoricalSociety.org
Attire: Tea attire -- hats and gloves, optional
Historic hankies and Valentine's will be on exhibit.
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