Free Museums of the Arroyo (MOTA) Day Returns Sunday, May 31

Gamble House is one of five Arroyo Seco Museums free on Sunday (Photo – MOTA)

Five museums along the historic Arroyo Seco will welcome visitors free of charge on Sunday, May 31, from 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm for the annual Museums of the Arroyo (MOTA) Day, celebrating art, architecture, history and community through family-friendly activities, self-guided tours, picnics and photo opportunities.

By Melanie Hooks

MOTA Day annually highlights the rich cultural and architectural history of the Arroyo Seco region through five history-based museums dedicated to preserving early Los Angeles life. Guests are invited to visit one or several participating museums throughout the afternoon at no cost.

Participating museums for 2026 include The Gamble House, Heritage Square Museum, the Los Angeles Police Museum, Lummis Home and Pasadena Museum of History.

Each location will feature special activities and attractions for visitors.

• The Gamble House, located at 4 Westmoreland Place in Pasadena, was built in 1908 by architects Greene & Greene as the winter residence of the Gamble family of Procter & Gamble. The National Historic Landmark is widely recognized as one of the finest examples of American Craftsman architecture. During MOTA Day, visitors can enjoy lawn games for all ages and a special pinwheel art installation by Jerolyn Crute Sackman, while celebrating the 100th anniversary of Route 66 throughout the day.
• At Heritage Square Museum, 3510 Pasadena Ave. in Los Angeles, guests can step back into an earlier era through nine preserved historic homes that reflect life in Southern California before modern conveniences became commonplace. Ongoing blacksmithing demonstrations and arts and crafts activities for families will take place throughout the afternoon, and visitors are encouraged to bring picnics to enjoy on the museum lawns.
• Los Angeles Police Museum, housed in the restored former Highland Park police station at 6045 York Blvd. in Los Angeles, will offer interactive exhibits and activities. The building, restored to its original Renaissance Revival design, is a registered National Historic Landmark. Visitors can explore exhibits related to the Onion Field Murders, create souvenir mug shots in the booking area and participate in children’s craft activities.
• The Lummis Home, also known as El Alisal, at 200 East Avenue 43 in Los Angeles, was hand-built between 1897 and 1910 by Charles F. Lummis using river stones from the nearby Arroyo Seco. The home is considered a landmark of the Arts and Crafts movement in Southern California. During the event, visitors can bring picnics and participate in a scavenger hunt highlighting hidden historical treasures throughout the property.
• At Pasadena Museum of History, located at 470 West Walnut St. in Pasadena, guests can explore the museum’s two-acre campus, which includes the History Center, the Finnish Folk Art Museum and the landmark 1906 Beaux Arts Fenyes Mansion. Children and families can participate in Art 2 Go’s craft workshop, creating wooden medallions inspired by nature, while all visitors can view galleries featuring 50 previously unseen artworks newly displayed from the museum’s collection.

Organizers note that there will be no shuttle bus service operating during MOTA Day.

Visitors are encouraged to take advantage of one or several of the free cultural institutions opening their doors this Sunday.