Manhattan Beach Historical Society Museum To Hold Grand Reopening

MANHATTAN BEACH, CA —Following a 15-month pandemic shutdown, theManhattan Beach Historical Society will be holding a grand reopening event on Saturday, June 26th.

"We are very excited to welcome the public back to the 'Little Red House' Museum," Wayne Powell, Historical Society Vice President and former Manhattan Beach mayor, told Patch. "We will have a general membership meeting at 11 a.m., followed by a ribbon-cutting ceremony at noon."

The guest speaker is Chuck Currier, retired Mira Costa High School economics teacher and founder of the Mira Costa History Project. He will discuss "Francis M. Uyematsu and the connection between Manzanar, Descanso Gardens, and Mira Costa High School."

Historian Jan Dennis will also give a talk about the story of Manhattan Beach. As a 50-year resident of the city, Dennis has become the quintessential author and historian of the city's history. Her background includes being active in the civics of the city for over 4o years—including having served on the city council and as mayor, the second female to hold that post—serving as an active member of the Neptunian Woman's Club of Manhattan Beach, including having served as its president.

Those in attendance will have the opportunity to tour the museum and view exhibits that include the history of the Manhattan Beach Pier, Bruce's Beach, and the city's 2012 centennial celebration.

"We have an incredible photo that photographer John Post took from a helicopter to commemorate the centennial," Powell said. "It's of the city council and all of our residents on and around the pier. You have to remember this was in the days before drones."

According to Powell, Saturday's event will comply with all county health protocols, including outdoor, socially distanced seating.

The Manhattan Beach Historical Society is dedicated to the preservation and promotion of the heritage of Manhattan Beach and to the collection and display of historical information and memorabilia about the city. The society began as a committee in the early 1970s and incorporated as a non-profit, tax-exempt organization on October 20, 1977. All officers and museum staff are volunteers.

This beach cottage or “Little Red House” serves as a tribute to the community’s founders and as the society’s museum. It is a typical beach cottage of the time, built in 1905 at 205 Fifteenth Street. The cottage was later moved to Polliwog Park in 1986 and restored by the City of Manhattan Beach, the Neptunian Woman’s Club (founded in 1909), and the Manhattan Beach Historical Society. Most of the labor and materials were donated by the community.

The museum is staffed by knowledgeable docents who use teaching tools to describe the history of Manhattan Beach to museum visitors, including:

• Extensive museum displays, memorabilia, and photographs
• Historical series of monographs that are for sale
• Old newspaper articles and a series of videos
• Free historical flyers

Saturday's grand reopening begins at 11 a.m. at the museum, 1601 Manhattan Beach Blvd, Manhattan Beach. The event is free and open to the public.

For more information, go to the Facebook page.