Pasadena Museum of History, Local history museum in Pasadena, United States
Pasadena Museum of History is a local history museum occupying two acres with exhibition galleries, research archives, and several historic buildings on the grounds. The main structure is the Fenyes Mansion, a restored residence that displays period furnishings and shows how prominent families lived in early Pasadena.
The museum was established in 1924 to preserve and share the history of Pasadena and its surroundings. The Fenyes Mansion was built in 1906 and eventually became the museum's home starting in 1970, anchoring the institution as the main keeper of the city's historical records.
The museum tells the story of how Pasadena transformed from a small agricultural area into a thriving city through the objects and records on display. Visitors encounter family photographs, letters, and everyday items that reveal how people lived and worked here across generations.
The museum is located at 470 West Walnut Street and opens Wednesday through Sunday. Book in advance if you want a guided tour of the Fenyes Mansion, as spots fill up quickly and walking the grounds is more enjoyable with a knowledgeable guide.
The grounds include a Finnish Folk Art Museum housed in a reconstructed 19th-century farmhouse filled with original artifacts that tell the story of Finnish immigration to the area. The Paloheimo family gathered these pieces starting in 1948, creating a rare window into how Nordic newcomers preserved their heritage in California.
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