HomeMy WebLinkAboutAM Agenda: 07/02/2025CITY OF ARCADIA
Arcadia Museum Commission
Regular Meeting Agenda
Wednesday July 2, 2025 5:00 p.m.
Location: Museum Education Center, 382 W. Huntington Drive, Arcadia
Pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, persons with a disability who require a disability related modification or
accommodation in order to participate in a meeting, including auxiliary aids or services, may request such modification or
accommodation from the Museum at (626) 574-5468. Notification 48 hours prior to the meeting will enable the City to make
reasonable arrangements to assure accessibility to the meeting.
根据《美国残障人法案》，需要调整或提供便利设施才能参加会议的残障人士（包括辅助器材或服务）可与市书记官办
公室联系（电话：626-574-5468）。请在会前 48 小时通知市书记官办公室，以便作出合理安排，确保顺利参加会议。
Pursuant to the City of Arcadia’s Language Access Services Policy, limited-English proficient speakers who require
translation services in order to participate in a meeting may request the use of a volunteer or professional translator by
contacting the City Clerk’s Office at (626) 574-5455 at least 72 hours prior to the meeting.
根据阿凯迪亚市的语言便利服务政策，英语能力有限并需要翻译服务才能参加会议的人可与市书记官办公室联系（电话：
626-574-5455），请求提供志愿或专业翻译服务，请至少在会前 72 小时提出请求。
CALL TO ORDER
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
ROLL CALL OF MUSEUM COMMISSION MEMBERS:
Angela Ayala, Chairperson
Janalee Shimmin, Chairperson Pro Tempore
Marilyn Daleo, Commissioner
Ginny Blitz, Commissioner
Dale Carter, Commissioner
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Any individual wishing to speak before the Museum Commission is limited to five (5) minutes per
person, unless waived by the Museum Commission. Under the Brown Act, the Museum
Commission is prohibited from discussing or taking action on any item not listed on the posted
agenda. The matter may automatically be referred to staff for appropriate response or action or
may be placed on the agenda of a future meeting.
ELECTION OF OFFICERS AND APPOINTMENT OF LIAISON
a. Chairperson
b. Chairperson pro tempore
c. Liaison to the Friends of the Museum
Any writings or documents provided to a majority of the Museum Commission regarding any item on this agenda will be made available
for public inspection at the Gilb Museum of Arcadia Heritage located at 380 W. Huntington Drive, Arcadia, California, during normal
business hours.
REPORTS FROM MUSEUM COMMISSION MEMBERS / LIAISONS
Announcements / Statements / Future Agenda Items
DIRECTOR REPORTS
Announcements / Statements / Reports
a. Director’s Update
b. Curator’s Report and Updates
c. Museum Education Coordinator’s Update
d. Grants
e. Interns and Volunteers
f. Programs
g. Exhibits
h. Collections
i. Flyers
Summer Quad Program
Military Banner Program
Camp Santa Anita
CONSENT CALENDAR
All matters listed under the Consent Calendar are considered to be routine and can be acted on by
one roll call vote. There will be no separate discussion of these items unless a member of the
Museum Commission, staff, or the public requests that a specific item be removed from the Consent
Calendar for separate discussion and action.
a. Approve the Regular Meeting Minutes of May 7, 2025
Recommended action: Approve
ADJOURNMENT
The Museum Commission will adjourn this meeting to Wednesday, September 3, 2025 at 5:00 p.m.
in the Museum Education Center at 382 W. Huntington Drive, Arcadia.
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The Gilb Museum of Arcadia Heritage
Museum Curator’s Report
May – June 2025
March 2025 April 2025
In-person Visitors: 363 In-person Visitors April 1-18: 117
Virtual Visitors: Virtual Visitors:
Facebook: 910 Facebook: 287
Instagram: 1350 Instagram: 850
X: 87 X: 0
Website: 475 Website: 226
HIGHLIGHTS
The Gilb Museum has participated in the Arcadia Firefighters
Pancake Breakfast on May 3. The Museum welcomed Holly
Avenue Elementary school for a field trip of 135 students, their
parents and teachers on May 23. Summer Getty Interns began
their internship on June 17.
COLLECTIONS AND INTERNS
Volunteer Ms. Deborah Cordano continues to work on digitizing items from the Museum’s
Collection, specifically the Arcadia Historical Society Collection.
Intern Mr. Zackary Ostrowski continues to work on the Arcadia Woman’s Club collection, adding
additional photographs and information to the Museum’s database, CatalogIt.
Intern Mr. Kenny Woo continued to work on cataloging new items into the Museum’s collection.
He has also worked with Curator Ms. Stevy Acevedo with exhibits and assisted Museum
Education Coordinator Ms. Lauren Porras on Summer Enrichment Program preparations on
Eventbrite. Mr. Woo recently accepted a part-time position at the Arcadia Public Library and will
take a hiatus at the Museum.
Volunteer Mr. Andrew Bermudez continues to work on the Museum's collections by digitizing and
cataloging items on the Museum’s database, CatalogIt. He is still working on the Floretta K.
Lauber Collection which contains many photographs and documents from her personal and
professional roles in Arcadia.
Volunteer Mr. Bob Levia continues to help staff at the front desk every Tuesday afternoon. He’s
been helping staff with educational kits for outreach programs as well as organizing the front desk.
Volunteer Ibrahim Abdalrazaq continued to help at the Museum front desk in May. Mr. Abdalrazaq
has accepted an internship for his career and is no longer able to volunteer at the Museum on the
weekends.
Volunteer Wendy Xiang continues to help the Museum staff on the weekends with different
projects. Ms. Xiang is responsible for helping the Museum transcribe its flyers to simplified
Chinese to accommodate the Arcadia Community.
Curator Acevedo is collaborating with Librarian Ms. Cheryl Tarsala from Dana Middle School to
digitize yearbooks from the school since 1955. This project will be done by volunteers Ms. Xiang
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Ms. Tran Phan, and Getty Intern Ms. Melia Valentine at the Museum during the summer. They
are digitizing the yearbooks in JPEG, TIFF, and searchable PDF formats. Ms. Tarsala is very
appreciative of the Museums’ help with this since it has never been done before.
EXHIBITS
The Museum's temporary exhibit on the 15th Annual Photography Contest is still on display until
July 19.
Curator Acevedo collaborated with two Arcadia Unified
School District teachers Ms. Evelyn Lim and Ms. Riley
Carius from Baldwin Stocker Elementary school to
showcase the 3D diorama five 3rd grade classes
constructed. The diorama will be on display in the
Museums’ temporary exhibit space from June 4 to July
19.
Staff received the custom display case for the Veterans Local History Room exhibit that was
graciously funded by the Friends of the Arcadia Museum. Public Works is currently working with
staff on the construction and installation of the case. Curator Acevedo, Getty Intern Valentine,
and City Intern Ms. Nicole Kreuzer chose what items will be on display, which include military
uniforms of World War II Veterans Ms. Mary Young, Dr. Richard Cordano, and Mr. Albert Bippert.
Inside the case also includes artifacts belonging to American Legion Post 247, Vietnam War
Monument coins, USS Capricornus ship replica and bell, and casket flag of U.S. Air Force WWII
Veteran Mr. Roscoe B. Easton.
ADMINISTRATION
The Friends of the Arcadia Museum (FAM) met on May 1 but cancelled their meeting in June.
The Board discussed doing their annual Vons Credit Union fundraiser on August 15. They also
discussed having a booth at the 27th Annual Tribute to Veterans and Military Families event at
the Arcadia County Park on behalf of Supervisor Ms. Kathryn Barger on Saturday, May 24. Staff
provided flyers for them to pass out at the event, including all Veteran programs available at the
Museum. The next FAM meeting will take place on July 3.
Museum City Intern Ms. Nicole Kreuzer began her internship on May 21. She will be working with
staff on projects as well as welcoming guests into the Museum. She will work part time (15 hours
a week) throughout the year. She recently graduated from East Los Angeles Community College
with an associate’s degree in history and is now a transfer student at California State University
Fullerton.
The Museum has been awarded the Getty Marrow Undergraduate Internship grant to fund two
paid internships: Curatorial & Exhibitions along with Education & Public Engagement. Interns will
work 40 hours a week for 10 consecutive weeks. Ms. Melia Valentine, the Curatorial and
Exhibitions Intern, recently graduated from Occidental College with a bachelor’s degree in
Comparative Studies in Literature and Culture. Ms. Priscilla Gardenia, the Education and Public
Engagement Intern, also graduated recently from the University of California Santa Barbara with
a bachelors in Comparative Literature and Portuguese, and a minor in Chemistry. Both interns
will begin their internships on June 17.
The conservation and preservation work on the Peacock Fountain basin in the Arcadia Los
Angeles County Park by Silverlake Conservation has been completed. They were able to fix
cracks found in the exterior of the fountain and restore the multicolored tiles on the outside
surface. Extra tiles were given to the Museum if needed for future repairs.
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Silverlake Conservation also completed the art restoration
for six items around the City during the month of May.
These items included the Arcadia Fire Department
Headquarters plaque, Captain Jerry Bradwell plaque,
Arcadia Police Department Uniformed Officers statue and
plaque, Donald McKinnon Geddes plaque, Gerald O’Keefe
Rose Garden plaque, and the Veterans Memorial at the
Arcadia Community Center.
Curator Acevedo finished working on the Capital Improvement Projects in the facilities. A fireproof
filing cabinet for archival documents was purchased to replace a non-fireproof filing cabinet in the
collection space. Two hand dryers were also installed in the Museum Education Center
restrooms.
Curator Acevedo and Director Ms. Darlene Bradley attended the Arcadia Historical Society
Kentucky Derby Garden Party on May 3. Proceeds from the event were then donated to the
Adams Pack Station, the last remaining pack station in Southern California, and the only year-
round pack station still operating in the Western United States.
Museum Educator Porras attended the PTA Membership Awards and Installation Luncheon on
May 6. At the event, she promoted summer programs at the Museum, including Summer
Enrichment Program and Dino Day. Ms. Porras also promoted volunteer applications being open
for the summer.
Curator Acevedo attended and presented at the American
Alliance of Museums Conference in Los Angeles Convention
Center from May 7 to 9. Ms. Acevedo presented in
collaboration with Ms. Brandi Shawn-Chaparro from the
Lucas Museum of Narrative Art and Ms. Jenny Woods from
the Seattle Art Museum on Trust and Volunteers: Managing
Risk and Reaping Rewards. Museum Educator Porras
attended the conference on May 8.
Curator Acevedo and Museum Educator Porras attended the Museum Educators of Southern
California Annual Institute at The Autry Museum of the American West.
Staff gave a tour on June 13 to staff members from the Ontario Museum of History and Art, also
a local history Museum. They were able to see behind the scenes of the Museum’s collection and
learn more about the Museums collection database, CatalogIt.
Museum staff and interns went to the Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanic Garden for a
tour with Librarian Ms. Leena Waller. Ms. Waller showed staff about their local history collection
as well as their flora and fauna collection she and her volunteers are working on. Interns and staff
also had the opportunity to see the different structures on site to learn more about Arcadia history,
such as the Hugo Baldwin Adobe, Queen Anne Cottage, Santa Anita Depot, and Baldwin Lake.
EDUCATION and PROGRAMMING
The Museum participated once again in the Firefighters Annual Pancake Breakfast on May 3.
Coordinator Porras, Museum Education Coordinator Substitute Ms. Lily Wu, and Curator Acevedo
passed out various giveaways, flyers, and the fire fighter educational kit along with the Arcadia
Public Library.
The Museum also released its newest educational kit on May 10, Music in Arcadia, as part of our
ongoing effort to engage families and young learners with local history through creative, hands-
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on experiences. This kit explores individuals with roots from Arcadia, featuring musicians and
performers. It includes interactive activities such as DIY instrument crafts and listening prompts
to connect children with the basics of making music. The Music in Arcadia kit has been well
received by visitors.
Another kit this season that was released was the Good Luck Knot Kit, created by Ms. Sabrina
and Mr. Brandon Yipp, local high school students and recipients of the Arcadia Unified School
District’s You and Me Grant. Developed in celebration of Asian American and Pacific Islander
(AAPI) Heritage Month, the kit introduced participants to the cultural significance of decorative
knots as symbols of good fortune. Ms. Yipp’s thoughtful design included step-by-step instructions,
historical context, and all necessary materials to complete the craft at home. The museum was
proud to support and distribute this student-led project.
The Museum has finished the Preserving Memories program for the Spring. This weekly program
on Wednesdays concluded on May 21. The program invited participants to help digitize old
photographs in the Museum’s collection, preserving them for future generations to enjoy. This
hands-on experience provided an opportunity to learn valuable skills while contributing to the
Museum’s historical collection. The program will resume in the Fall.
Increased attendance at the Museum has been observed as staff continue to conduct a growing
number of tours, prompted by the distribution of complimentary tour tickets at recent outreach
events. These free tickets have successfully encouraged community members to visit the
museum, resulting in heightened public engagement and greater awareness of our exhibitions
and programs. .
Educator Lauren Porras completed 10 Spring School Programs at Baldwin Stocker Elementary,
including a Tongva-English Dictionary activity that introduced students to the region’s Indigenous
history and language. She also led a Then vs. Now lesson, helping students explore how life in
Arcadia has changed over time through hands-on comparisons.
Staff conducted Holly Avenue Elementary School’s on-site field trip to the Gilb Museum on May
22. Students participated in a guided tour and 4 other hands-on activities that introduced them to
Arcadia’s history and cultural heritage. Staff, along with Volunteer Ms. Jaina Tarman, managed
to facilitate all 150 students, chaperones, and teachers for this annual visit.
Staff is actively preparing for several upcoming events and programs at the Museum and around
the City, including the Summer Enrichment Program, Annual Dino Day, Downtown Arcadia
Patriotic Festival, and Concerts in the Park.
VOLUNTEERS
Volunteer Applications were open from April 27 through May 24. During this time the Museum
has welcomed 14 new teen volunteers and 2 adult volunteers.
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Coordinator Porras recently conducted the Teen Lead
Orientation, which introduced new and returning teen
volunteers to leadership roles and provided training on
communication, responsibility, and teamwork on May
17.
Summer Volunteer Orientation welcomed a new group
of teens on June 7. These orientations ensure that all
participants are well-equipped to assist with the
museum’s summer programs, support visitor
engagement, and represent the museum in a
professional and enthusiastic manner throughout the
season.
A key feature of this year’s orientation was the introduction of Slack, a new communication
platform implemented for volunteer coordination, event planning, and updates in real time.
Preparations are also underway for the second Summer Volunteer Orientation on June 21,
which will welcome a new group of teens that couldn’t attend the first session.
Volunteer hours:
May 1 – April 18: 289.25 hours
Submitted by Curator Stevy Acevedo and Director of Library & Museum Services, Darlene Bradley
MILITARY BANNER PROGRAMMILITARY BANNER PROGRAM
CITY OF ARCADIA
The Military Banner Program was established by the City
of Arcadia to honor and recognize living military
personnel from Arcadia. Street banners honoring those
who have served in the United States Armed Forces will
be proudly displayed along Huntington Drive and
Baldwin Avenue in the month of November.
Application will be available online or in person.
This program is on a first come, first serve basis.
APPLICATION NOW OPEN!
The Gilb Museum of Arcadia Heritage
380 West Huntington Drive Arcadia, CA 91007
www.ArcadiaCA.gov/Museum (626)574-5440
The Military Banner Program is administered by the
Gilb Museum of Arcadia Heritage.
CAMP
SANTA
ANITA
EXHIBIT
COME LEARN ABOUT THE
HISTORY OF CAMP SANTA ANITA,
A VITAL U.S. ARMY TRAINING
BASE IN ARCADIA DURING
WORLD WAR II.
THE GILB MUSEUM OF ARCADIA HERITAGE PRESENTS:
T H E G I L B M U S E U M O F A R C A D I A H E R I T A G E
3 8 0 W E S T H U N T I N G T O N D R I V E A R C A D I A 9 1 0 0 7
(6 2 6 ) 5 7 4 -5 4 4 0 M U S E U M @ A R C A D I A C A .G O V
W W W .A R C A D I A C A .G O V /M U S E U M
OPENING
AUGUST 9, 2025
圣塔安妮
营地
展览
来了解圣塔安妮营地的历史吧，
它是⼆战期间亚凯迪亚重要的
美国陆军训练营地。
亚凯迪亚吉尔布博物馆呈现：
亚 凯 迪 亚 吉 尔 布 博 物 馆
3 8 0 W E S T H U N T I N G T O N D R I V E A R C A D I A 9 1 0 0 7
(6 2 6 ) 5 7 4 -5 4 4 0 M U S E U M @ A R C A D I A C A .G O V
W W W .A R C A D I A C A .G O V /M U S E U M
2025年8⽉9⽇
开放
MUSEUM COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
Wednesday, May 7, 2025
____________________________________________________________________________
CALL TO ORDER – Chairperson Pro Tempore Janalee Shimmin called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m. in
the Museum Education Center.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – Chairperson Pro Tempore Janalee Shimmin
ROLL CALL – Chairperson Pro Tempore Janalee Shimmin; Commissioner Dale Carter, Marilyn Daleo;
Library Services Manager Petra Morris, and Museum Education Coordinator Lauren Porras.
Commissioner Carter moved to excuse Chairperson Angela Ayala due to a prior professional commitment and
Commissioner Virginia Blitz due to health-related circumstances. The motion was seconded by Chairperson
Shimmin.
PUBLIC COMMENTS: None
REPORTS FROM MUSEUM COMMISSION MEMBERS/LIAISONS: None
REPORT FROM THE DIRECTOR
Director Bradley shared that it is currently budget season, and the City is actively preparing for the upcoming
budget study session. This year’s budget is expected to remain flat, with no new enhancements.
Director Bradley also announced Sharon Kwan as the newly appointed Mayor of Arcadia.
In staffing updates, Museum intern interviews have concluded and a new intern is expected to begin once
onboarding paperwork is finalized.
REPORT FROM THE CURATOR
Coordinator Porras informed the Commission that several volunteers and interns continue to support the Gilb
Museum’s digitization and collections efforts. Ms. Deborah Cordano is digitizing photographs from various
collections, now beginning work on the Arcadia Historical Society Collection. Interns Mr. Zackary Ostrowski
and Mr. Kenny Woo are contributing to the Arcadia Woman’s Club and Chamber of Commerce Collections,
respectively, with Woo also assisting in exhibit maintenance. Additional volunteers, including Mr. Andrew
Bermudez, Mr. Bob Levia, and Mr. Ibrahim Abdalrazaq, have helped with digitization, front desk support, and
donation inventory.
Recent donations include framed photographs from the Chamber of Commerce and a quilt from the Wandering
Foot Quilt Guild. The Museum installed several exhibits, including Highlights from the Archives and the 15th
Annual Photography Contest, with new features like a restored Anoakia lamp and a spotlight playing vintage
Santa Anita Park race calls.
On the administrative side, the Friends of the Arcadia Museum continue fundraising efforts, while the Museum
has secured a Getty Marrow Internship Grant and is hiring a City Intern. Conservation work continues on the
Peacock Fountain and several public artworks around the City. Capital improvements continue with new
furniture in the Education Center.
REPORT FROM MUSEUM EDUCATION COORDINATOR
This spring, the Gilb Museum hosted a variety of successful programs and outreach efforts. Curator Acevedo
gave a virtual presentation to the Chamber of Commerce and led multiple tours, including for the Southern
California Resource Services and the Wandering Foot Quilt Guild, which donated a handmade quilt. Two
Preservation Workshops were held, and a new weekly program, Preserving Memories, invited the public to
help digitize photographs. The Spring Preschool Program concluded after 14 weeks with strong participation
and positive feedback, including a standout Easter-themed session.
The Museum participated in multiple community outreach events, including the Spring Fling at the Arboretum,
Culture Night at Baldwin Stocker, and Arcadia Goes Green, offering engaging hands-on activities and
distributing over 250 kits in total. Educational programming also expanded with new kits such as Art in Arcadia
which launched in March and was very popular among the community, while Music in Arcadia is set to be
released in May. Educator Porras continued local school and Scout programming, including a new program for
Cub Scouts about Jurassic World.
Between March 1 and April 22, volunteers contributed over 460 hours, supporting the Museum’s operations,
programs, and educational outreach.
CONSENT CALENDAR:
a. Approve the Regular Meeting Minutes of March 5, 2025, at 5:00 pm in the Museum Education Center at
382 West Huntington Drive, Arcadia.
Recommended action: Approve
Commissioner Daleo moved to approve Consent Calendar Item “a” which was seconded by Commissioner
Carter. The motion carried.
Ayes: Chairperson Shimmin, Commissioners Carter, and Daleo
Noes: None
ADJOURNMENT:
Chairperson Pro Tempore Shimmin adjourned the meeting at 5:26 p.m. to Wednesday, July 2, 2025 at 5:00
p.m. in the Museum Education Center at 382 West Huntington Drive, Arcadia.
Approved:
________________________________________________
Darlene Bradley, Director of Library and Museum Services
Prepared by: Lauren Porras, Museum Education Coordinator