This nostalgic, 5-minute, 1949 video clip of "The Plunge" was filmed by Henry Wagner, a local businessman, who lived, owned and operated a business in Monrovia, California. He liked to film around town in the late 1940's and early 1950's. His son Bill's widow, Anne Wagner, donated several film reels, among other mementos, to the Monrovia Historical Museum in 2023. This is one of them. It now plays continuously in the lobby of the Museum for everyone's enjoyment!
At the Monrovia Historical Museum, when we tell visitors about the history of the building that has now been the museum for over three decades, it's hard for them to visualize the swimming pool that was once in the courtyard way back when. Thanks to Tom Adams, former Mayor of Monrovia, California. His generosity made it possible to have the old 22mm film reels to be converted to digital video (care of PhotoWorks by Rick). Today, museum visitors can see what it was like when the museum was "The Monrovia Municipal Plunge," which was in operation from 1925 to 1983, and reopened in 1992 and continues to operate as The Monrovia Historical Museum.
This nostalgic, 5-minute, 1949 video clip of "The Plunge" was filmed by Henry Wagner, a local businessman, who lived, owned and operated a business in Monrovia, California. He liked to film around town in the late 1940's and early 1950's. His son Bill's widow, Anne Wagner, donated several film reels, among other mementos, to the Monrovia Historical Museum in 2023. This is one of them. It now plays continuously in the lobby of the Museum for everyone's enjoyment!
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The Monrovia Adult School, led by Ms. Carol Burrill, came to tour the museum in late February, for her Advanced Intermediate and Advanced ESL class. Docents and board members (from left): Michael Andrews, Franci Bolen, Sharon Motheral, and Oliver Beckwith (not pictured), were there to usher and welcome them! "I really enjoyed meeting this group," said Oliver Beckwith, "immigrants from Nicaragua, Japan, Mexico, Argentina, Taiwan, and Saudi Arabia. Carol Burrill is doing wonderful work, and we had excellent interactions with all of them."
Private tours are a regular occurrence here at the Monrovia Historical Museum. If you would like to book a tour for your class, civic organization, or even if it's just a group of friends, no matter the occasion, call, email or fill out the tour request form. A note for large groups: please request a day when we are not open, that is, Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, or Fridays. Saturdays are usually reserved for facility rentals by the city but could be arranged. The museum has begun construction of its latest and most ambitious project – the "Monrovia's History Through Architecture" exhibit! This exciting endeavor, in collaboration with Bowden Development and designed by architect Mark Houston, aims to showcase the evolution of Monrovia's architectural landscape through the years. The exhibit will offer a comprehensive exploration of Monrovia's architectural heritage, highlighting iconic landmarks, historical structures, and notable architectural styles that have shaped the city's identity.
This collaboration between Bowden Development, Mark Houston, the Monrovia Historic Preservation Group (MOHPG), the Monrovia Historical Museum, as well as contributors Arcadia Sash and Door, Sedona West Roofing and Home Depot, underscores a shared commitment by shining a spotlight on Monrovia's architectural treasures to honor our city's heritage and inspire pride in the community we call home! Join us in this exciting adventure! Stay tuned! Here's the link to read more about this exhibit!
On Saturday, January 20, 2024, the Monrovia Public Library Veterans Resource Center sponsored a breakfast and tour at the Monrovia Historical Museum to honor our local veterans and their families. Council Member Dr. Tamala Kelly was there to show her support for the veterans. Mark Harvis, museum board Vice President, also a board member of the Public Library, was also in attendance, along with museum board members, Oliver Beckwith and Sharon Motheral. The staff at the Veterans Resource Center (pictured) provided information for services available to veterans, and after a continental breakfast in the courtyard, welcome remarks by Mark Harvis, and was followed by a guided tour with Oliver Beckwith. He shared the story about the three Monrovians who paid the ultimate sacrifice at Pearl Harbor: Three Monrovians Who Were Killed At Pearl Harbor Source: Richard Singer, People Like You and Me: A History of Monrovia in World War II, p. 11-13 These are their stories:
As a final note, did you know that 74 Monrovians gave their lives in World War II? A poster honoring these heroes can be viewed in our WWII exhibit (image below). After retiring as a board member at the Monrovia Historical Museum in March 2023 to pursue her plans to relocate back to Arkansas with her husband, Bryan, Sarah Farmer Earll has continued her commitment to preserving the city's heritage through remote-volunteering, leveraging technology to stay connected and to continue contributing to the museum's mission. Her gracious assistance has not gone unnoticed. We, at the Monrovia Historical Museum, express our deep gratitude for her ongoing support, proving that distance is no barrier to preserving Monrovia's legacy. "Sarah's commitment is exemplary. Her knowledge and passion for history have been a guiding force for the museum, and we're fortunate that she continues to be part of our journey beyond the 5 years she served on our board," remarks Franci Bolen, Board President. Her wealth of knowledge and passion for history played a crucial role in curating exhibits and programs at the museum, especially the Diversity Exhibit that was launched on our 30th Anniversary celebration in 2022 (see photo on right). She also served as Vice President and Board Secretary and managed most of our administrative operations. Today, her remote volunteering serves as a testament to the power of passion and dedication, transcending the physical boundaries of distance, in the pursuit of preserving and sharing Monrovia's history. Thank you, Sarah! Ruzika Lighting Illuminates the Museum! We're not done yet, but things are looking brighter at the museum, thanks to Tom Ruzika of Ruzika Lighting. In a recent upgrade, Tom has transformed the museum's ambiance, shedding new light on exhibits and artifacts. The enhanced lighting not only illuminates the displays but also provides visitors with a fresh perspective, allowing them to see the rich history and cultural treasures in a whole new light. The museum is now more vibrant and inviting, creating an immersive experience that captivates and delights all who explore its treasures! In November 2023, our esteemed museum researcher, Pam Barkas, retired after an incredible decade-long journey. We extend our deepest gratitude to Pam for her unwavering dedication and invaluable contributions to the Monrovia Historical Museum, leaving a legacy of excellence, inspiring current and future generations to explore the fascinating tapestry of history with enthusiasm and diligence. Throughout Pam's tenure, she has been the backbone of our historical endeavors, meticulously unearthing hidden stories, delving deeply in her research to unravel mysteries, and enriching our exhibits with a wealth of knowledge from her scholarly achievements, impassioned research, and her Monrovia connections. Her steadfast commitment to preservation and archiving our collections has truly left an indelible mark on the way we operate as an institution. We are privileged to have known, collaborated and have been mentored by her. Farewell to our esteemed colleague, Pam Barkas! She will always be a cherished member of our museum family! Our sincere thanks for her friendship, endless hours of hard work and immeasurable impact on our institution. Have you ever heard of a Kit Home? Did you know that Monrovia is home to many Kit Houses? In the early 20th century, people sought escape from crowded cities due to high population density and the threat of diseases. The growth of suburban areas, aided by expanded railroad lines and better public transportation, made this escape both possible and convenient. Yet, the expanding middle class faced a challenge – a shortage of affordable housing. Enter the Kit House, a unique solution to the housing challenge of the time. These mail-order homes, also known as mill-cut houses, pre-cut houses, or ready-cut houses, gained popularity in the United States, Canada, and beyond during the first half of the 20th century. Aspiring homeowners, unable to afford the opulent Victorian mansions of the upper class, found a viable option in these kit homes. Kit house manufacturers, operating nationally, offered houses in various plans and styles – from simple bungalows to elaborate Colonials. The concept was straightforward: customers could select a design from a catalog, and the manufacturer would supply all the necessary materials for construction at a fixed price. Notably, materials like brick, concrete, or masonry for the foundation were typically excluded, as customers would arrange for local construction. Click this link to see photos of kit houses. In Monrovia, the history of Kit Homes is just another notable part of Monrovia’s architectural legacy -- see article titled "The Era of The Kit House" written by Jim Wigton of the Monrovia Historic Preservation Group. During this era, six major national companies marketed their designs for these kit homes, with Sears Roebuck and Pacific Homes emerging as dominant suppliers in Southern California. Sears alone presented an impressive 370 designs, providing a myriad of options for customization. Los Angeles-based Pacific Ready-Cut Homes Inc., once the largest home builder in the West, dominated the pre-cut market in Southern California during the company’s pre-Depression peak. Eight decades later, many Pacific Ready-Cut houses still stand in neighborhoods as diverse as Beverly Hills and South Los Angeles. From the exterior, it's challenging to discern whether a house was built from a kit unless you are familiar with the catalog designs. In many cases, even the current owners are unaware that they are residing in a kit home. Kit houses can be identified by the part numbers on exposed wood in the attics or basements. These numbers and labels corresponded to the detailed assembly instructions provided by the kit home company. The labeling system made it easier for individuals with varying levels of construction experience to follow the instructions and correctly piece together the components of the home. This approach was a key aspect of the kit home model, allowing for a more straightforward and efficient construction process. It enabled individuals without extensive construction expertise to successfully build their homes, contributing to the popularity of kit homes during that era. Companies like Sears, Aladdin, and others utilized this numbering system to simplify the assembly process for their customers. While the exact number of kit houses in present-day Monrovia remains unknown, the city's historical rail access and proximity to Pacific Homes in Los Angeles suggest the likelihood of several undiscovered kit houses waiting to be unveiled. As we delve into Monrovia's architectural history, the Kit Homes stand as a testament to the creativity and practicality that shaped the landscape of suburban living in the early 20th century. Some links to read up on kit houses: Sears Roebuck Kit Homes Catalogue 1936 How to Identify Sears Kit Homes How to Identify Kit Homes How to Identify Kit Homes (Historic New England) How to Identify Kit Homes (WikiHow) |