The purpose of vanilla ice-cream is... to have TOPPINGS! Here's our toppings station with Ruth!

Look! This is what you get after 30mins of rolling the ball! ICE-CREAM!

Did you know that you can make ice-cream by rolling one of these balls?

Make Your Own Soda Pop

Carbonation Station... This is where you get all the bubbles for your soda pop!

Flavor Station! Come and try!

Make Your Own Butter

"Washing" the Butter

"This sure brings back a lot of memories!"

Shaking up butter, for all ages!

Flurry of Activities

Writing with Quill Pens

The Museum just ended a busy summer of Make-Your-Own activities. The events were very well-received, and we had many repeat visitors! Thank you for your support!

We started with Make-Your-Own Ink, to butter, to soda pop, to ice-cream, to peacock feather jewelry, and lastly, candy!

We are tremendously grateful to our group of faithful and hardworking volunteers who cut, rolled, shook, cooked, and wove throughout the summer! You are awesome!

July Brown Bag Lunch Talk Features Sandy Snider

Come to the Museum on Thursday, July 19 from noon to 12:30 p.m. for the July Brown Bag Lunch Talk! This talk is specially designed for all who work near the Museum to come and enjoy a unique 20-minute talk about exciting moments in Arcadia’s history. Sandy Snider, author of Arcadia: Where Ranch and City Meet, will ask the question, “Whose Adobe is it Really?” Come learn about the history of the Hugo Reid Adobe and who really lived in this iconic building in Arcadia history.

Bring your own brown bag lunch or enjoy free pizza (first-come-first-serve). Reservations are not necessary, but space for the talk is limited to a first-come-first-serve basis.

From Pizza to Ice Cream

Coming up this week at the Museum are two events you won't want to miss!

Come to the Museum on Thursday, June 21 from noon to 12:30 p.m. for the first summer Brown Bag Lunch Talk! This talk is specially designed for all who work near the Museum to come and enjoy a unique 20-minute talk about exciting moments in Arcadia’s history. On June 21, Museum Docent Mickey Ball will talk about the “Romances of the San Gabriel Valley”. Bring your own brown bag lunch or enjoy free pizza (first-come-first-serve) on the Museum Patio. Reservations are not necessary, but space for the talk is limited to a first-come-first-serve basis.

Nothing is better than a cool scoop of ice cream on a hot summer day! Come to Museum for an old-fashioned ice cream social on Saturday, June 23 from noon to 2 p.m. and make your own homemade ice cream. This is a free, drop-in program for the entire family to enjoy; children should not be left unattended. No reservations are needed.

Learn How to Make Your Own Butter!

Did you know that a marble can help you make butter? Come to the Museum on Saturday, May 26, 2007 from Noon to 2 p.m. and learn how to use a marble and about other old fashioned butter making tools. Try your hand at a butter churn and see how long it takes to make your own sweet-cream butter. This is a free, drop-in program for the entire family to enjoy; children should not be left unattended. No reservations needed.

Art in Arcadia Exhibit Now Open

The Museum's newest exhibit, Art in Arcadia, will be on display through May 31st and features many beautiful renderings of Arcadia’s historic landmarks and picturesque landscape. Museumgoers will enjoy viewing various artists’ interpretations of Arcadia’s familiar sights. Historic photographs of the sites will also be on display.

Lunch at the Museum!

Do you work in or around Arcadia? Do something fun and different on your lunch hour by coming to the Museum on Thursdays, February 15 and March 15 from noon to 12:30 p.m. for the new Brown Bag Lunch Talks. These are specially designed for all who work near the Museum to enjoy a unique 20-minute tour of the special exhibition Morning Rhapsody. Bring your own brown bag lunch or enjoy free pizza (first-come-first-serve) on the Museum Patio. Come to one or both — each talk will be different! Reservations are not necessary, but space for the talk is limited to a first-come-first-serve basis. Need more info? Call the Museum at 574-5440.

Morning Rhapsody: A Photo Exhibition

Photographer, singer, writer, actor and composer, Karen Davis, captures behind-the-scenes moments at Santa Anita racetrack in the early mornings. Juan Reviriego, trainer, praises, “I have trained racehorses all over the world, and I have never before seen such a passionate tribute to thoroughbred and track as this original and astonishing treasure.”

Don't miss the opportunity to see this stunning collection of photographs, which will be on display from January 6 – March 28, 2007. For information about related events, check out page 17 of the City's Winter Recreation, Library, and Museum brochure.

Holiday Hours

The Museum will be closed December 23-25 and again from December 30-January 1.

Happy holidays!

Annual Holiday Ornament Workshop

Visit the Ruth and Charles Gilb Arcadia Historical Museum on Saturday, December 9 from noon to 2 p.m. for its sixth annual Holiday Ornament Workshop. You’ll get to make holiday ornaments of all shapes and colors. Bring your imagination! This program is free and no registration is required.

New Exhibit: The History of Toys and Games

Have you ever wondered how your favorite childhood toy was created? Come to the Museum from November 15, 2006 - January 17, 2007 to see a display of vintage toys. You may just see a toy from your youth!

In conjunction with this exhibit, the Museum will be holding a Family Fun Day Toy Making Workshop on Saturday, November 18 from noon to 2 p.m. Children and adults will have an opportunity to make some simple toys that bring great fun!

5th Birthday Carnival on October 28th

Come celebrate the Museum's 5th birthday at a free, special Birthday Carnival on Saturday, October 28, 2006 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

There will be a bounce house, face painting, carnival games with prizes, cotton candy, snow cones, and birthday cupcakes! And don’t forget to come inside the Museum to see its treasures, including a special exhibit with photographic highlights of the past five years and photographs of museums from Arcadia’s past. Learn about the first museum in Arcadia and the community’s contribution to the preservation of Arcadia’s heritage.

CELEBRATE DIA DE LOS MUERTOS AT ARCADIA MUSEUM

From October 9 to November 10, the Museum will have on display a small collection of figurines associated with Dia de los Muertos or Day of the Dead, a festive holiday celebrated in Mexico. Generally celebrated on November 2, families gather together for Dia de los Muertos to honor ancestors and deceased loved ones. Some of the festivities associated with this celebration include: creating an altar or ofrenda, painting and cleaning graves; as well as, making and enjoying great feasts.

On Saturday, October 14 from noon to 2 p.m. families will also have an opportunity to learn more about this festive celebration when the Museum presents a special Family Fun Day Workshop. An artisan will be on hand to teach participants how to make and decorate sugar skulls. Visitors will have the opportunity to make fun and exciting crafts, including mask decorating and making paper marigolds. Visitors will be invited to write special messages to their loved ones on these flowers, which will be put on display.

The Arcadia Historical Museum is located at 380 W. Huntington Drive, immediately behind the Community Center. The Museum is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is always free.