Monrovia Historical Museum

Every May, third grade students from Monrovia elementary schools take field trips to the Monrovia Historical Museum. This last May, we had a special group of students, the Level 5 ESL class from the Monrovia Adult School. Museum board president and vice-president, Franci Bolen and Betsy Woodford, were the docents for the day. Our docents love to give tours and share our city's history and heritage to visitors from age 8 to 80.
Franci is pictured here with students in front of the Native American Exhibit.

ADDRESS: 742 E. Lemon Avenue, Monrovia, CA 91016
HOURS: Thurs & Sunday 1-4 PM, or by appointment.

Overview

Front view of Monrovia Historical Museum, Monrovia, California

The Monrovia Historical Museum is located in an historic 1925 Spanish style building that was once the city's Municipal Swimming Pool. The 8,000 square museum, organized in 1986, consists of two major wings. The Historic Monrovia Wing, which introduces the guest to the Monroe Family and the town they helped establish, includes the famous Pottenger Sanatorium that helped the medical world find cures for breathing disorders, and a Pacific Electric trolley system exhibit. Also included in this wing are faithful reconstructions of a turn of the last century kitchen and parlor, a 1907 classroom tribute to Monrovia's early grade schools, and an interactive police department exhibit that the kids always enjoy.

The Historic Collections Wing includes a fascinating Natural History section that showcases interesting and unusual creatures and oddities seldom seen in public displays. There is also a great display of the telephone technology of the past century, and an exhibit dedicated to our fighting men and women, and much more. Docent-led tours are available.