Pasadena Museum of History Archives

The first page of a huge book of maps called the Sanborn Maps.

I'm researching to write a book, and one of the characters is an archivist. So I went over to the archives at the Pasadena Museum of History. I thought it would be a fun way to learn how archiving is done. I decided to research my home and street to get an idea.

I knew where to find some of the materials I wanted. There's plenty right there in the reading room that you can look at. It'll take me ages to get through it all—delightful, nerdy ages. You can also tell an archivist what you're looking for and they'll help you find more great resources. You can research anything about Pasadena history.

This is the City Directory from, I believe, 1939. The C.F. Lamb Funeral Home offered definite pluses, especially the "Lady Attendant." I assume that the building, at the corner of Orange Grove and Los Robles, has always been a funeral home. It was the Avalon Funeral Home when I moved to Pasadena in 2005. Recently, the Avalon business has vacated the premises and the building is for sale. Next time you drive by, look up. There's a lovely weathervane.

Put some cash in the donation box and this book can get a special protective cover.

For a break, I found a shady spot on the grounds of the Museum. You could do worse.

And yes, I had fun.

The Archives are open Thursday through Sunday from 1-4 pm. No appointment is necessary. Enter the parking lot on Walnut just east of Orange Grove, take the elevator to the lower level of the museum building (not the Fenyes Mansion), and you're there.

(Oh and just by the way, by the by, off hand, as an afterthought, as it were: the Museum Store has 3 copies of Act As If and one of Camelot & Vine. When you buy the books there a portion of the money goes to the Museum.)

What would you like to research?

We Are Old!

Big, big doings today for the Pasadenish because it's our 126th birthday.

We're having our party from 12-4 pm at the Pasadena Museum of History (free admission, free parking). There will be art, music, antique cars and more. In honor of this year's Olympics, the Synchronized Cake Cutting will be held at 3pm, officiated by Mayor Bill Bogaard.

Many organizations sponsor the event. A big co-sponsor is Pasadena Water and Power (a super important entity in this part of the world), and this year the cakes (also super important) come from Vons.

Everybody gets a free piece of cake. Everybody. You are Pasadenish. Come and get your cake.

Curtain Time at PMH

If you've got a hankering for something to do today, it's a Free Day from 1:00-4:00pm at the Pasadena Museum of History.

Free music, free ice cream and a free play reading of "History Lit" from Unbound Productions (starting at 2:00pm) all make this a good day to be on the Museum grounds.

They're probably not going to let you inside the Fenyes Mansion where I took this photo (yikes) three years ago. Soon, however, the refurbishment will be finished. The mansion was already glorious. Just imagine how much moreso it's going be.