Altadena Historical Society Museum (Photo – Chris Olson)
An increasing number of visitors have walked through the doors of the Alhambra Historical Society Museum in recent months, eager to learn more about the San Gabriel Valley community’s growth, development, and transformation over time. Volunteers who staff the museum on the first and third Saturdays of each month report being busier than ever, answering questions from individuals and families and helping them uncover compelling stories, events, and people from bygone eras.
By Chris Olson
What’s especially noteworthy about this rise in attendance is the diversity of the visitors, it includes both young and old, thanks to intentional outreach efforts by the board of directors of the Alhambra Historical Society. The nonprofit organization, founded in 1966, elected its first Student Director in 2024. Anais Rallion, now a UCLA junior majoring in History and Political Science, described her experience as a nonprofit leader and decision-maker as inspiring. “Studying local history helps us to understand our past and shapes our sense of identity. I feel a much stronger connection to the Alhambra community.”
Quincy Duong, a young Alhambra resident, is a member of Boy Scout Troop 131 and an 8th-grade student at St. Philip the Apostle School in Pasadena. While serving as a volunteer museum docent, he is working toward his Citizenship in the Community badge, and enjoying every minute of it. A few weeks ago, Quincy’s research led him to discover the identity of the first family who lived in his home, which was built in 1942. His father, who often accompanies him to the museum, shared, “Quincy is so happy with his volunteer assignment. He’s always asking me, ‘When can I go back to the museum again?’”
The recent adoption of a historic preservation ordinance by the Alhambra City Council in September likely explains the surge in adult visitors, many of them property owners eager to research the history of their homes. To support this growing interest, the Alhambra Historical Society will host a program on Thursday evening, November 6, titled “How to Research the History of Your Alhambra Home.” The featured speaker will be Tim Gregory, also known as The Building Biographer. With degrees in Library Science and Historic Preservation, Tim is a nationally certified archivist and registered public historian. He has completed more than 3,000 property histories across Los Angeles County for both real estate firms and homeowners. During the workshop, he’ll demonstrate his step-by-step process for researching a local property, using as an example a 1912 Alhambra home built for Paul Judson of Judson Studios, the oldest family-run stained glass studio in the United States.
To become a member of the Alhambra Historical Society, visit the organization’s website: alhambrahistoricalsociety.org. To learn how to register for the free November 6 workshop, just send an email to: Alhambrahistsoc@att.net.
So why does history matter, to young and old alike? The future isn’t built from scratch. The choices, innovations, mistakes, and triumphs of the past shape the world we live in today. As we develop new technologies, experience social change, and witness global political and economic shifts, it’s essential to pause and reflect—to better understand the path that brought us here.
Chris Olson is the Vice President of Alhambra Historical Society.
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