Events in 2014
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.
"Unbroken" Prescreening Tickets Are Sold Out
All tickets for the fundraising event of the pre-release screening of
the movie Unbroken have been sold out. Special thanks go
to Universal, the Zamperini family
and to all the Torrance Historical Society members and the
public that purchased tickets for this event.
Proceeds from the fundraiser will be dedicated to the Louis Zamperini
Trust Collection at the Torrance Historical Society and other related events and projects.
See our
Louis Zamperini link
for more information about our local hero.
The movie makes its official debut Christmas Day, 2014.
'Twas the Night Before Christmas Reading
A Reading of the Holiday Classic & a Visit from Santa
Our guest reader, Cindy Shields as Mrs. Claus, will cozy down in an antique wingback chair and
delight listeners with this magical tale. And . . . at the sound of
sleigh bells ringing, Santa will pay a visit.
When: Sunday, December 14th - 2:00 PM - lasts only an hour. Please be on time!
Location:Torrance Historical Society Museum, 1345 Post Avenue, Old Torrance
Cost: No charge. Donations accepted.
This event is open to children and those young at heart. No reservations
are required; however, seating is limited and available on a
first-come/first-served basis.
One lucky winner will be selected to receive their very own copy of 'Twas the
Night Before Christmas. There will also be an opportunity drawing for teddy
bears, and each guest in attendance will depart with a treat.
Football in the South Bay by Don Lechman
Book Signing and Meet the Author
Let's Talk Football!
South Bay author Don Lechman,
former Daily Breeze reporter, editor and critic, will
share stories about high school football and sell ($20)
and autograph his new book, Football in the South Bay.
More than 3,000 players and coaches, along with photos, records, stories and profiles
are featured in the new book published by History Press.
What: Book Signing with Don Lechman, former Daily Breeze
reporter, editor and critic
When: Sunday, November 23rd
Time: 2:00 - 4:00 PM
Location: The Torrance Historical Society & Museum
Cost: No Charge - Donations accepted. Don's book, Football
in the South Bay can be
purchased at the museum with cash or check for $20 and can be
autographed the day of this event.
Book Purchase: If you are unable to attend this event, but would like a copy
of the book, it can be found on Amazon, Barnes and
Noble and many other sites. For an autographed copy ($25
includes shipping), e-mail don@lechman.org.
More info: (310) 328-5392
Seating is limited and will be available on a
first-come / first-served basis. No reservations required.
Light refreshments will be served.
Sparkle & Shine
Miss Maureen O'Donnell will give a presentation on how to care for your
silver -- just in time for the holidays!
What: Presentation by THS member and former Torrance City
Councilperson, Miss Maureen
O'Donnell on how to care for your silver.
When: Sunday, November 16th
Time: 2:00 PM
Location: The Torrance Historical Society & Museum
Cost: No Charge - Donations accepted.
More info: (310) 328-5392
Seating is limited and will be available on a
first-come/first-served basis. No reservations required.
Book Signing with Roger Owens the Peanut Man from Dodger Stadium
Overhand, underhand and around his back -- he'll be there pitching
peanuts, telling tales, and signing his book
The Perfect
Pitch - Life Story of the Famous Peanut
What: Book Signing with Roger Owens, the Peanut Man from Dodger Stadium
When: Sunday, November 9th
Time: 2:00 PM
Location: The Torrance Historical Society & Museum
Cost: No Charge - Donations accepted. Book can be
purchased at the museum with cash or check.
More info: (310) 328-5392
Seating is limited and will be available on a
first-come / first-served basis. No reservations required.
The Torrance Historical Society & Museum presents The Original Torrance Fall
Tour of Historic Homes
Tour Interiors of Seven Homes in Old Torrance & Experience Wine Tasting in a
1936 Garden
Date: Saturday & Sunday, October 11-12, 2014
Time: 11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Fee: $25 - Cash or check only; no credit cards.
Where to Purchase: Tickets may be purchased at the Museum either day of
the tour - no advance purchase is necessary.
Disclaimers:
No photos are to be taken inside the homes, no spiked heels, no
baby strollers. Home Tour is recommended for those 18 years of age,
and older. Tickets provide a one-time entry into the homes, (no re-admittance)
Sponsored by the Rotary Club of Del Amo
Complimentary Torrance Bakery Cookies
Wine Tasting for a nominal fee
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. This event is held on even
years the second weekend in October.
The Torrance Historical Society & Museum is hosting
the Original Fall Tour of
Historic Homes in Old Torrance (the original footprint of the City) Saturday
and Sunday, October 11th - 12th, 2014, from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM, both days.
This biennial event is open to the general public. The Home Tour is
generously sponsored by the Rotary
Club of Del Amo.
For a $25 donation, guests can tour the inside of seven 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. Complimentary refreshments
(Torrance Bakery cookies)
will be served by members of the
Torrance Woman's Club, and Wine Tasting (for a nominal fee -
by Amore Vino)
will be held in the garden of a 1936 Neo-Classical Revival
home on Post Avenue.
The homes on the tour reflect an eclectic mix - from Spanish Colonial Revival
to Craftsman to Dutch Colonial Revival - which characterize and add to the
charm of Old Torrance -- founded 1912. Homes on the Tour were built between
1912 and 1940. Each home will have a Model A car parked in front of it
courtesy of South Bay Touring A's.
Additional elements of the Home Tour include -
- Stepping inside the very first Library (1913) for the City of Torrance -
view the original book ledger in which the first purchases for the library
were recorded
- National Wildlife Federation Certified Wildlife Habitat garden
- Unique family heirloom highlighted in each home - from a cookie
jar to a WWII uniform
- Hear your footsteps echo through a diamond-in-the-rough, 1923,
renovation-ready Dutch Colonial Revival home
- Special display of Hometown Hero, Louis Zamperini (in Museum)
- Opportunity to win a Progressive Dinner for six in
three Historic Homes - drawing to be held on November
13, 2014 (winner will be notified) - tickets $10 each
or 3/$25 - Dinner will be coordinated in early 2015
Tickets for the Original Fall Tour of Historic Homes may be purchased
directly from the Torrance Historical Society & Museum (1345 Post Avenue,
Torrance, CA 90501) either day of the tour - no advanced ticket purchase is
necessary. The homes may viewed in any order, on either day, and all are
within walking distance from the Museum -- the furthest being seven blocks
away. Local restaurants will be offering Home Tour Specials.
The self-guided Original Fall Tour of Historic Homes begins at the Torrance
Historical Society & Museum. Proceeds from the fundraiser directly benefit the
Museum - archiving activities, historical discoveries, research projects,
special programs, its operation and exhibits.
Late Night Thursdays
When: Thursday, July 17th - Thursday, August 27th
The Museum will be open until 8:00 PM Thursday evenings
(open 1:00 - 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.
While you're out-and-about, pop in the Museum and explore the Torrance
Historical Society's collection including
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 one of the original Torrance cowboy's saddle (yes, Torrance
used to be a farming community -- right down to 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
On these Late Night Thursdays, the Museum will be open from 1:00 PM - 8:00 PM,
and treats will be served. You're also invited to stop by and visit with our
special guests (6:00 PM - 8:00 PM).
Thursday, August 7th
Peruse the pages of the Historical Survey taken of the all the structures in
Old Torrance -- the original footprint of the City. The area is comprised of
109 city blocks with residential, commercial and industrial sub-districts
totaling nearly 2000 structures! Over 100 community volunteers worked on this
project!
Thursday, August 14
See the City's Centennial DVD of Lois Zamperini - Triumph of the Torrance
Tornado, and the clip of when Louis won the 1934 Southern California Track &
Field Championship. "Running in what was celebrated at the best field of
high school milers in history, Louie routed them all and smoked the mile in
4:21:3, shattering the national high school record, set during World War 1,
by more than 2 seconds." -- Laura Hillenbrand (The DVD will be playing from
4:00 PM - 8:00 PM - pop in any time -- it's only about 10 minutes long)
Also, 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, and he'll
tell you about the planes used in the flyovers at last week's Celebration of
Life event for Louis Zamperini.
Thursday, August 21st
Mike the Map Man is back by popular demand -- view decades worth of maps
from our Historic Map Archives -- he'll be highlighting the maps of the Oil
Fields (6:00 PM - 8:00 PM)
Thursday, August 28th
View the History of the Hollywood Riviera DVD by Sherwin Rubin (it will be
playing from 4:00 PM - 8:00 PM - pop in any time).
Summer Stroll
What: 3rd 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."
When: Thursday, August 7th, 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" No credit cards accepted.
Mail to:
Torrance Historical Society
1345 Post Ave.
Torrance, CA 90501
Buildings on Tour: The Red Car Brewery & Restaurant, Tortilla Cantina,
Buffalo Fire Dept., Antigua Cafe, Keegan's, Just Luigi's, Amore Vino, and
Torrance Bakery.
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 17, 2014 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.
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, AMT TBA 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
TBA 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.
Party on the Patio
Annual Meeting & Installation of Officers
After nearly two years blending the new with the old,
the restoration project of the Senior Patio
at Torrance High School is complete!
Join us for a Ribbon Cutting & Presentation
by Historic Preservationist Shane Swerdlow
of Chattel, Inc. who will highlight the reconstruction
of the Senior Patio & provide a history of Torrance High School
- the first building in Torrance to be placed
on the National Register of Historic Places.
Sunday, June 1, 2014
Check-in: 11:30 AM
Ribbon Cutting: Noon
followed by Torrance Bakery Box Lunch & Program
Torrance High School Senior Patio
2200 Carson St.*
Old Torrance
$20 per person
RSVP by Wednesday, May 28, 2014 310.328.5392
Enter & Park: Park on Torrance High's basketball courts located off Plaza
Del Amo behind the school's library.
Follow the balloons to the Senior Patio.
Attire: This is an outdoor event: dress casual, bring a jacket, wear
sunscreen. Flat, closed-toe shoes recommended. Shade will be provided.
- - -
Names on the Wall Remembrance
What: Names on the Wall Remembrance
When: Memorial Day - Monday, May 26th 2:00 PM for reading of the
names
Immediately following the reading of the names, we will go to the
Museum to view another screening of the documentary video (see
below). This might be as early at 2:40pm.
Location: City of Torrance Veterans' Memorial Wall, Torrance Blvd. at
Maple - for reading of the names; Torrance Historical Society Museum - to view
the screening
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.
The Source (Cowboy Poetry) - Steve Deming
Meet the Author & Book Signing
Where: Torrance Historical Society & Museum - 1345 Post Avenue, Old
Torrance
When: Sunday, April 13 - 2:00 PM
Cost: Free. Donations appreciated. Book is available for purchase.
RSVP: None required but seating is limited. Please arrive early
Who: Author, Steve Deming
What: Book signing & presentation -- Beach Mexican
Info: (310) 328-5392 or
www.TorranceHistoricalSociety.org"
Julia Morgan California's Best Forgotten Architect
Date: Sunday, March 23rd
When: 2:00 PM
Cost: Free. Donations accepted
RSVP: not required. Seats are on a first come basis.
Jamie Ruth Watson, Torrance Historical Society President, retired librarian,
and historian will detail the history of this prolific, yet somewhat
forgotten Woman Architect who designed more than 700 buildings during her
45-year career. Morgan was the first woman architect to be licensed in
California, and used her talents to design many buildings for organizations
serving women and girls, including YWCA buildings. Morgan was also the first
woman to receive the AIA Gold Medal, albeit posthumously.
She is best known for her work on Hearst Castle. Morgan was also commissioned
by William Randolph Hearst in 1927 to design an estate on 4.91 acres of Santa
Monica beachfront property for his mistress, actress Marion Davies. Morgan
created a three-story, 34-bedroom Georgian mansion which included three guest
houses, two swimming pools, tennis courts and dog kennels -- to the sum of $7
million dollars, rumor has it.
In 2009, the City of Santa Monica began an adaptive reuse project of the
historic Marion Davies Beach House, which was funded by the City of Santa
Monica and a grant from the Wallace Annenberg Foundation. Gene
Higginbotham,
Past President of the Torrance Historical Society and Museum 2008-2010 and
current Historical Society board member in charge of Special Events, current
Construction Manager for the City of Santa Monica for the Annenberg Community
Beach House, will review the history of the Beach House renovations and reuse,
as well as the colorful Hollywood connections.
Tea at Two - a Valentine's Day Tea
& Program
The Torrance Historical Society is hosting
Tea at Two - a Valentine's Day Tea
& Program
at the Museum on Sunday, February 9th, and the pleasure of your
company is requested for this afternoon of tea, delicious delicacies and
history!
The day will include ...
- A program on Vintage Lace & Linen by Collector, Janet
Stancliff
- Each table will feature a teapot from the private collection
of Jamie Ruth Watson
- Vintage Boutique Sale - antique jewelry, linens,
lace, silver, glassware and collectibles
- Opportunity to win Tea Party gift baskets
When: Sunday, February 9th, 2014
Where: Torrance Historical Society & Museum -
1345 Post Avenue, Old Torrance
Time: 2:00 PM
Cost: $20 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. This was a SOLD OUT event, last year!
Credit cards not accepted.
RSVP: 310.328.5392 - no later than Sunday,
February 2nd
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.
Proceeds from this fund-raiser directly
benefit the Museum - archiving activities,
historical discoveries, research projects,
special programs, its operation and exhibits.
Meet the Author & Book Signing
"Beach Mexican" by Alex Moreno Areyan
Where: Torrance Historical Society & Museum - 1345 Post Avenue, Old
Torrance
When: Sunday, January 26th, 2:00 - 4:00 PM
Cost: Free. Donations appreciated. Book is available for purchase.
RSVP: None required but seating is limited. Please arrive early
Who: Author, Alex Moreno Areyan
What: Book signing & presentation -- Beach Mexican
Info: (310) 328-5392 or
www.TorranceHistoricalSociety.org.
His latest book, Beach Mexican, chronicles his journey of assimilation while
growing up Mexican American in white, upper-middle class Redondo Beach
during the 1950s. The book presents a story of assimilation different from
that experienced by Mexican American in larger and more traditional Mexican
American barrios in Southern California. Beach Mexican proves the journey
was not easy. Mr. Areyan has authored two other books: Mexican Americans
in Redondo Beach and Hermosa Beach, and Mexican Americans in Los Angeles.
During his youth, this annual "white lie" at school and among his friends
was that his father had found a job up North and the family was moving.
They moved all right -- in a 1941 Plymouth following the harvest. In
Meridian, Marysville, Yuba City, Colusa, Firebaugh, and Mendota. They lived
in tents and cars, under trucks, and in corrugated tin hovels, while picking
plums, cotton, peaches, tomatoes, and most of the major crops produced in
the great San Joaquin Valley of California. Although he was once threatened
with expulsion from Redondo Union High School for speaking Spanish, he
eventually received a plaque from the city for writing the first pictorial
history of the Mexican American families in Redondo and Hermosa Beach.
Mr. Areyan will also introduce Alice Duarte Solis, a life-long resident of
Torrance, who grew up in the City's Pueblo (or "La Rana") district, and is
currently writing a book on the history of that community.
The Blimp - 37 Good Years of Flying
Talk about having an office with a window seat ... For 37 years, Goodyear
Blimp Pilot, John Crayton, had a bird's eye view of the South Bay and its
ever-changing landscape.
With a Lighter-than-Air license tucked under his wing, and having earned his
Private Pilot's license at the Torrance Airport, he spent nearly four decades
hovering above the Southland watching
such events as the Olympics, World Cup Soccer, World Series, Super Bowls, Rose
Bowls and Rose Parades -- all with the best seat in the house.
What: John Crayton will share his memories of events, adventures and the
transformation of the Southland's landscape from open fields to industrial
complexes in a program entitled, "The Blimp - 37 Good Years of Flying."
When: Sunday, January 19th
Time: 2:00 PM
Location: The Torrance Historical Society & Museum
Cost: Free - Donations accepted.
More info: (310) 328-5392
Refreshments will be served. Seating is limited and will be available on a
first-come/first-served basis.
No reservations required.
Past Events
2019
2018
2017
2016
2015
2014
2013
2012
2011
2010
2009
2008
2007
2006
|