collections

Research Library & Archives

 

PMH maintains the area’s largest and most comprehensive collection of documents and artifacts related to the history of Pasadena and the west San Gabriel valley. The ever-expanding collection spans the years 1834 to the present and contains well over 1,000,000 historic photographs, rare books, manuscripts, maps, architectural records, and more.  Significant collections include:  the Pasadena Star-News Photo Collection, the Tournament of Roses Collection, the Pasadena Black History Collection, the J. Allen Hawkins Photo Collection, the Flag Photo Collection, the Sylvanus Marston Architectural Collection, the Giddings-Hollingsworth Family Collection, the Helen Lukens Gaut Photo Collection, and the Ernest A. Batchelder Archives.

Notice Regarding COVID-19 (Coronavirus)

The Museum’s Reading Room & Archives are closed until further notice

Note to Researchers:

While the Reading Room & Archives are closed, we encourage you to search the photograph collections of PMH and other institutions on the Pasadena Digital History Collaboration website.

Read our full Notice Regarding COVID-19 (Coronavirus).

Research Library & Archives Hours

Complimentary access Thursday through Sunday, 1:00 to 4:00 pm.*

No appointment necessary to use the Research Library and Archives.

There are charges for photocopying, scanning and mailing the results of our research (see Reproduction Services).

The Research Library & Archives can be contacted at 626.577.1660, ext. 13 or research@pasadenahistory.org.

Please note that the entire Museum is closed on all major holidays. Check our calendar for specific dates.

Archival Collections

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View more than 20,000 records from the collections of PMH, the Pasadena Public Library, and Pasadena City College, Shatford Library, and more!

black and white photograph of ostrich farm