Monrovia Historical Museum
A City of Monrovia Historic Landmark
  • Home
  • About
    • Contact & Map
    • Founding History
    • History of "The Plunge"
    • Board of Directors
    • Remembering Steve Baker
    • Newsletters
  • Visit
    • General Information
    • Collections
    • Videos
    • Tours
  • Rental Info
  • Resources & Research
    • Trentalange Research Center
    • Early Monrovia Structures
    • Monrovia's Olympic Athletes
    • Family Tree Research
    • Children's Activities
    • Other Local Museums
  • Our Sponsors
  • DONATE
    • Memberships
    • Sponsorships
    • Volunteers
    • Amazon Wishlist
  • Yard Sale - Price Reductions!

December 2020 Newsletter

12/14/2020

0 Comments

 
mhsnewsletterdec2020.pdf
File Size: 3117 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

0 Comments

Women and voting in monrovia

7/19/2020

0 Comments

 
If you can't come to the Museum, we'll bring the Museum to you! 
0 Comments

Women’s Suffrage and the 19th Amendment

3/14/2020

0 Comments

 
SPECIAL EVENT!
​On March 8, the Monrovia Historical Museum and the Monrovia Historical Preservation Group (MOHPG) are co-sponsoring an event on Women’s Suffrage and the 19th Amendment, which has its 100th anniversary this year.

The event will include a talk on suffrage by Pauline Field, chairman of 50/50 Leadership, a nonprofit promoting women’s equal leadership based in Glendale. Ms. Field also rode on a Women’s Suffrage float in this year’s Tournament of Roses Parade and will offer comments on that experience as well. There will also be a special exhibit featuring a timeline of significant events in Monrovia history led by women.

Please join us at the Museum for this special event on 
Sunday, March 8, at 1:30 pm.  Light refreshments will be served
and attendance is free and open to the public.

ADDRESS:   742 E. Lemon Avenue, Monrovia, CA 91016
HOURS:  Thursday and Sunday, 1:00-4:00pm, or by appointment.
0 Comments

read our latest newsletter...

3/5/2020

0 Comments

 
0 Comments

citrus stand exhibit updated

6/10/2019

0 Comments

 
The Museum Exhibit Committee has been working hard updating the existing Citrus Stand Exhibit.  Updates include several framed Citrus labels and a Citrus stand that now includes items that would be sold in a working Citrus stand.  Stop by the Monrovia Historical Museum on Sundays and Thursdays from 1:00 - 4:00 pm to see the changes!
Picture
0 Comments

Robert Kennard Honored at Museum

1/27/2019

0 Comments

 
Article written by Susie Ling

“Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?’”

 
Dr. Martin Luther King’s quote rings as the Monrovia Historical Museum celebrated King’s 90th birthday with a presentation on Robert Kennard (1920-1995) by Jerome Robinson and Gail Kennard on January 20, 2019. Robert Kennard, a 1986 inductee to the American Institute of Architects’ prestigious College of Fellows, graduated from Monrovia High School in 1938. As Robinson writes, “Today the [Kennard Design Group] is the oldest, continuously owned African American architectural firm west of the Mississippi River. Kennard designed over seven hundred buildings and structures – including forty homes.” The more public Kennard legacies include LAX Parking Lot 1, 3, and 4; Carson City Hall; Van Nuys State Office Building, and entrance to the Hollywood Bowl.
 
Kennard was born in Los Angeles to James, a Pullman Porter, and Marie, a mother who wanted to move closer to the land. In 1924, the family owned a half acre at 533 E. Walnut in Monrovia and raised oranges and other fruit trees. A teacher at Huntington Elementary, Mrs. Savage, encouraged the Kennards and others to challenge the District’s racial segregation practice, and attempt to send their children to Wild Rose Elementary. Robert’s parents would send the 7-year old to Wild Rose each morning; but for weeks, he would be sent home. Robert said in a 1987 LA Times interview, "I had a very supportive family that believed in the value of education. Eventually, my parents took on the entire school district with the support of many of its teachers, and I was allowed to attend classes at a regular non-minority school." Robert was allowed to be the one African American student at Orange Avenue Elementary (now Monroe School). When later asked, Marie said “I wanted you to know the kind of world you were going to grow up in. You might as well learn now; because, don't think that you're going to have it that easy."
 
At Monrovia High School, Robert got support from certain teachers. The drawing teacher, Roy Eller, was so impressed with Robert that he encouraged him to follow the footsteps of pioneering architect Paul Williams. Said Gail, “After USC Architectural School, my father’s job applications were all rejected because he was ‘colored’. But Curtis Chambers saw my father’s talent and hired him.” Gail, now president of Kennard Design Group, added, “My father was mentored and he pledged to mentor others.” After he started his own practice in 1957, Kennard went out of his way to help women, immigrants, and other young architects get their start. “He would speak at Career Days at universities and even elementary schools. He was not wealthy but he always made donations.”
 
Jerome Robinson said, “[In those days,] it was hard for African Americans to get into acting and architecture, perhaps because in these fields, you can reach immortality.” Robinson, whose own mother was at the Museum to support his presentation, said, “Perhaps the best testimonial to Robert are his three children.” Gail’s sister, Lydia, is a member of USC Board of Trustees. Their brother, William, was U.S. ambassador to the European Union under the Obama administration.
 
Gail Kennard said, “My dad was mentored by his mother and a handful of teachers. And he paid it forward. We need to also do all the good we can.”
0 Comments

Pacific Electric exhibit completed

4/28/2018

0 Comments

 
Board members have been busy putting together the finishing touches to the new Pacific Electric exhibit.  Stop by to learn about the history of the Red Car from yesteryear.  Exhibit includes a mom and child waiting for the train, authentic railroad rails, miscellaneous Pacific Electric artifacts and a TV that plays a DVD of the history of the Pacific Electric.  
Picture
0 Comments

Wildrose Elementary School Visit

2/12/2018

0 Comments

 
February 6 and 9 brought the Wildrose Elementary School 3rd grade classes to the museum for their annual tour.  This year’s visit was a little different as the Gabrielino tribal archaeologist, Dr. Gary Stickel, gave a slide presentation.  He pointed out locations of villages, shared pictorial representations of animals meaningful to the tribe, and fielded MANY questions from the students. His visit was truly interesting and MHM Board members also learned a lot!                                
0 Comments

San Gabriel valley model a ford club visits museum

1/30/2018

0 Comments

 
On Saturday, January 13th, 20 members of the San Gabriel Valley Model A Ford Club visited the Monrovia Historical Museum for a tour.  Members of the organizations brought along several cars that dated from 1928 - 1931.  The Club began in 1958 and will be celebrating their 60th anniversary this year.  
Picture
Picture
Picture
0 Comments

Future Pacific electric exhibit

12/19/2017

0 Comments

 
Board members are busy designing a Pacific Electric exhibit in the east wing of the Museum.  Items on display will include magazines, photographs, maps, suitcases and more!  The Museum is looking for any items related to the Pacific Electric Railway and will welcome any donated artifacts.  An update will be posted on this blog once the exhibit is completed.
​
Picture
0 Comments
<<Previous
    Picture

    Archives

    December 2020
    July 2020
    March 2020
    June 2019
    January 2019
    April 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    May 2017
    February 2016
    September 2015

    Categories

    All
    1903
    1915
    Filming
    Pacific Electric

    RSS Feed

HOME
ABOUT
Founding History 
Board of Directors
History of "The Plunge"
​
VISIT
General Info
Tours
Museum Rental Info
Contact & Map
RESEARCH & RESOURCES
Our Collection
​Research
GET INVOLVED
Become a Member
Donate
Volunteer
Amazon Wishlist
Member Page
742 E. Lemon Ave, Monrovia | 626-357-9537
All Content © Copyright 2023  except as noted | ​The Monrovia Historical Museum Foundation, Inc
Login