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Events

All events are at the Torrance Historical Society & Museum unless otherwise noted.

Torrance Historical Society & Museum
1345 Post Avenue (at Cravens)
Torrance, CA 90501
310-328-5392

Free, on-street parking is available on Post and Cravens within steps of the Museum.


Events in 2013



Walking Tours of Downtown Torrance

Every fourth Sunday of the month, May, June, July, August, September, and October.

Tour leaves promptly at 1:30 p.m.and lasts approximately 90 minutes.
Tour leaves from the front of the Museum
Wear comfy walking shoes.  Tour covers about eight blocks.
Free - donations accepted.

The docent led tour begins at the Torrance Historical Society & Museum (1345 Post Avenue) at 1:30 PM, and will point out many of the historic sites and landmarks of Old Torrance. Guests will also learn about:

  • What's in the Torrance Memorial Time capsule (located in the Museum)
  • What three Torrance properties are on the National Register of Historic Places
  • Where the new Centennial Time Capsule Plaza is placed
  • The original street names of "Torrance Boulevard" and "Post Avenue"
  • What famous artist was commissioned to paint a mural on the side of the Employment Development Department building
  • About the explosion that helped start Torrance
  • Why the first homes built for the executives were rented, not sold
  • What building was originally intended for the site where Torrance High School now stands
  • How Torrance broke away from the Los Angeles Unified School District
  • Why Torrance does not have a cemetery

The tour is an easy, but brisk walk covering eight blocks - the walk is approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes. It's open to the public, requires no reservations, and is hosted on the fourth Sunday of every month, May - October. Comfortable walking shoes are recommended. You're invited to bring your camera, and a friend.



The Torrance Historical Society Rocks Around the Block in Celebration of the All-America City Award

When: Thursday, July 18, 2013 5:00PM - 8:00PM
Location: Torrance Historical Society & Museum, 1345 Post Avenue
Cost: Free and open to the public - donations accepted. Nominal fee for food and beverage
Sponsored by: TBA
Info: If you have any questions or would like additional information, please visit or call the Museum at (310) 328-5392.

This is a fund raiser for the Torrance Historical Society & Museum.

The flyer for this event (will be here - closer to the event).

The Torrance Historical Society and our sponsors will host this 1950s-style family summer event in celebration of Torrance's All-America City Award -- one of America's original and most prestigious community recognition awards. The City received this award for "Growth without strain" back in the 1956 when Albert Isen was Mayor of Torrance. This free event is open to the public and will be held in front of the Museum (1345 Post Avenue). Post Avenue will be blocked off from Cravens to Sartori, so guests can:

  • View vintage cars on display along Post Avenue, courtesy of Cruisin' 50s Car Club, local car owners - special appearance by the Oscar Mayer Weinermobile
  • Bop to 50s music
  • Munch on burgers from the IN-N-OUT burger wagon (burgers served from 5:30 PM - 7:00 PM, nominal fee for food & beverages; see below)
  • See special exhibits featuring the original congratulatory telegram from President Eisenhower, along with the All-America City button & logo
  • Check-out high school yearbooks -- the Torrance Historical Society has the largest collection Enter the hula hoop, bubble gum blowin', cake walk and pie eating contests - there are prizes!

The fee is TBA for cheeseburger/burger, chips and soda or for grilled cheese sandwich, chips and soda.

Tickets for the IN-N-OUT burger wagon can be purchased at the "burger desk" on the Museum lawn during the event. Cash or personal check, made payable to the Torrance Historical Society will be accepted. Sorry no credit cards are accepted. Exact change is appreciated.

Burgers and cheese sandwiches will be available until 7:00 p.m. or until sold out. Please arrive early due limited availability.

The Bartlett Senior (over 50) Center will also be hosting an Open House this same night -- you can dine on their patio and listen to The South Bay Strummers (ukulele group)! The Torrance Woman's Club will also have their 1950s Club scrapbook available for viewing. Also, the Torrelles -- a group of City employees who sing 50s and 60s songs in a cappella, will entertain guests.

This FREE 1950s-style family event is hosted in partnership with the City of Torrance, Old Torrance Neighborhood Association, and other sponsors to be announced.

If you have any questions or would like additional information, please call the Museum at (310) 328-5392 or visit www.TorranceHistoricalSociety.org.

Late Night Thursdays

What: Late Night Thursdays - Museum open until 8:00PM
When: Thursdays, July 25th - August 29th, 1:00PM - 8:00PM
Location: Torrance Historical Society & Museum, 1345 Post Avenue
Cost: Free and open to the public - donations accepted.
Info: If you have any questions or would like additional information, please visit www.torrancehistoricalsociety.org or call the Museum at (310) 328-5392.


Celebrating 100 Years - The Library

What: Private tour of the first library in Isabel Henderson's Old Torrance Home
When: Summer event - date 1:00-4:00PM
Location: 1804 Gramercy - details TBA
Cost: $10 per person with reservation
Info: If you have any questions or would like additional information, please visit www.torrancehistoricalsociety.org or call the Museum at (310) 328-5392.
History: www.torranceca.gov/21829.htm

Henderson Library (Isabel Henderson)

The Henderson Branch Library is named after Isabel Henderson, the first Torrance Librarian. In 1913, the first public library was established in Torrance. The library was in the parlor of Mrs. Henderson's home located at 1804 Gramercy Avenue. The collection consisted of 300 books donated by her cousin, Jared Sydney, Torrance, the city's founder. The library was open Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. and from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

By September 1914, the collection had increased to 510 books and 4 magazine subscriptions. There were 193 library card holders and circulation to date for the year as 1,935. Henderson held the post of city librarian for 22 years. During that time, the library had several homes, including a vacated school building on Cabrillo Avenue, the former Dominguez Land Co. office at Cabrillo and El Prado Avenue and finally, a cottage on El Prado. Her daughter, Mrs. Dorothy Jamieson, took over as librarian in 1935, and also held the post for 22 years. Isabel Henderson died in 1936, the same year that the library's first permanent home, a Works Progress Administration project, opened at 1345 Post Avenue.



Summer Stroll

What: 2nd Annual Summer Stroll - docent-led walking tour of Old Torrance Historic Buildings and a taste of what is inside
When:Thursday, August 8th, 6:00PM
Location: Meet at Torrance Historical Society & Museum, 1345 Post Avenue
Cost: $30.00 per person - Reservations required. Space is limited.
Info: If you have any questions or would like additional information, please visit www.torrancehistoricalsociety.org or call the Museum at (310) 328-5392.



"Thanks for Giving" Volunteer Reception

When: Thursday, November 7th, 6:30 PM
Location: Torrance Historical Society & Museum, 1345 Post Ave.
Who: THS volunteers and members only - by invitation
Info: If you have any questions or would like additional information, please visit www.torrancehistoricalsociety.org or call the Museum at (310) 328-5392.



'Twas the Night Before Christmas

Date: Sunday, December 15th
Time: 4:00 p.m. - Please come on time. Event lasts less than one hour.
Cost: Free - donations accepted
Questions: Call (310) 328-5392
No Reservations Required

Children of all ages and adults who are young at heart, are invited to the Torrance Historical Society & Museum for a reading of the holiday classic, 'Twas the Night Before Christmas. Each child must be accompanied by an adult.

A reader (TBA) will cozy down in an antique wingback chair and delight listeners with this magical tale.

There will be a surprise visit by Santa.

Each guest will leave with a treat, compliments of TBA, and one lucky winner will go home with a copy of the book - 'Twas the Night before Christmas"! This event is free, open to the public, and requires no reservations, so bring a friend -- or two!




Events in 2014

The Torrance Historical Society & Museum presents The Original Torrance Fall Tour of Historic Homes

Saturday & Sunday, October 11-12, 2014
11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
No reservations required
Fee TBA

The primary fund-raiser and signature event for the Torrance Historical Society & Museum is its biennial Tour of Historic Homes - a long standing tradition in the City of Torrance since 1980. This event is held on even years the second weekend in October.