HomeMy WebLinkAboutAM Agenda: 07/01/2026
Any writings or documents provided to a majority of the Library Board regarding any item on this agenda will be made availabl e for
public inspection at the Reference Desk of the Arcadia Public Library located at 20 W. Duarte Road, Arcadia, California, during normal
business hours.
Arcadia Museum Commission
REGULAR MEETING AGENDA
Wednesday, July 1, 2026, 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 City Clerk at (626) 574-5455. 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) 574-5455）。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 ALLEGIANCE
ROLL CALL:
Dale Carter, Chairperson
Angela Ayala, Chairperson Pro Tempore
Marilyn Daleo, Commissioner
Ethel Laczko, Commissioner
Commissioner - vacant
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION FROM STAFF REGARDING AGENDA ITEMS
PUBLIC COMMENTS (5-minute time limit per person)
Any person wishing to speak before the Library Board of Trustees is limited to five (5) minutes
per person; any changes to the allotted time will be announced prior to the Public Comment
period. Under the Brown Act, the Library Board of Trustees is prohibited from discussing or
taking action on any item not listed on the posted agenda. The matter may 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
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 Enrichment Program
• Milestones in Arcadia Exhibit
• 16th Annual Photography Contest
• Dino Day
• City of Arcadia Diorama Baldwin Stocker Elementary
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 6, 2026
Recommended action: Approve
ADJOURNMENT
The Museum Commission will adjourn this meeting to Wednesday, September 2, 2026 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 2026
May 2026 June 2026
In-person Visitors: 321 In-person Visitors 1-18: 203
Virtual Visitors: Virtual Visitors:
Website: 456 Website: 291
Facebook: 1,776 Facebook: 967
Instagram: 3,349 Instagram: 1,278
HIGHLIGHTS
The Getty Marrow Undergraduate Interns have begun assisting with projects in collections and
education. The Museum had the Clara Baldwin Stocker History Talk on May 16, which welcomed
approximately 30 attendees. The program offered community members an opportunity to learn
more about the life and legacy of one of Arcadia’s most influential historical figures.
COLLECTIONS AND INTERNS
Volunteer Ms. Deborah Cordano continues to work on the Museum's Collection, specifically doing
an inventory of the Arcadia Historical Society Collection. She has now done an inventory of five
of the 30 boxes in the 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. He is also preparing
to graduate with his Master's in Library Science from UCLA this spring.
Volunteer Mr. Andrew Bermudez continues to work on the Museum's collections by digitizing and
cataloging items on the Museum’s database, CatalogIt. He has now completed the additional
artifacts part of the Floretta K. Lauber Collection and is taking the time to curate and tag all the
objects. Mr. Bermudez has cataloged 852 artifacts in the Museum's collection.
Volunteers Mr. Bob Levia and Mr. Pat Matsutani continue to help the front desk staff every
Tuesday afternoon. They have been helping staff with educational kits for outreach and summer
programs.
Volunteer Ms. 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 into simplified
Chinese to accommodate the Arcadia Community. She has also contributed to working on the art
catalog for Created Equal.
Intern Justin Mercado recently transitioned from supporting educational programming to assisting
with collections projects now that his contract with Southern California Resource Services for
Independent Living (SCRS-IL) has begun. Within his first month working in collections, he has
been cataloging and organizing the Museum’s American Legion Post 247 Collection and has
cataloged 355 artifacts. His accomplishment reflects both his dedication, and the valuable
contributions interns continue to make toward advancing collections management and
preservation efforts at the Museum.
City Intern Ms. Nicole Kreuzer has been working on several projects at the Museum with the
Curator. She has been working on accessioning new artifacts for 2026 and helping with the
Museum’s newsletter on MailChimp.
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An inventory of all items donated during this time period:
Mr. Drew Fryer from the Arcadia Fire Department donated three items used by the
department, including a piercing nozzle, bazooka combat foam nozzle, and a combination
fog nozzle.
Ms. Cheryl Patterson donated items from her father, Mr. Ray Patterson, who was the
Arcadia High School Swim coach for over 50 years. Items include photographs and
trophies.
EXHIBITS
The Museum's annual photography contest opened on April 25, drawing strong participation with
this year's theme, Seasons in Frames. The exhibition will remain on display through July 18.
Judge Douglas Hill evaluated the entries and awarded first, second, and third place honors, as
well as an honorable mention. Winners received gift cards in recognition of their outstanding work.
As part of the Museum's continued partnership with Baldwin
Stocker Elementary School, four third-grade classes participated
in the creation of a tiny Arcadia, a collaborative diorama project
showcasing miniature replicas of local landmarks, businesses,
and community spaces. Now in its second year, the project
encourages students to explore the history and character of
Arcadia through creativity and hands-on learning. The completed
diorama is currently on display at the Museum for visitors to enjoy
until July 18.
Following the success of the Created Equal exhibit, First Avenue Middle School teacher Ms.
Karalee Nakasuka was awarded a grant to develop a catalog highlighting the student artwork and
project. Museum staff is currently collaborating with Ms. Nakasuka on the publication, which will
help document and preserve the exhibit while extending its impact beyond its display period. The
project reflects the strong partnership between the Museum and First Avenue Middle School, and
the positive community response generated by the exhibit.
Curator Acevedo assisted with the installation of a display honoring Gene Glasco, a longtime
Arcadia resident, veteran, and former City Clerk for the City of Arcadia. The display was featured
at a recognition celebration held at the Elks Lodge on June 7, where community members
gathered to honor Mr. Glasco’s life, military service, and many contributions to the City. The event
provided an opportunity to share local history while recognizing an individual who played an
important role in the Arcadia community.
The Daughters of the American Revolution Santa Antia Chapter installed a display on May 23 in
the Museum’s lobby to highlight the 250th Anniversary of the United States. This will be on display
throughout the summer for visitors to enjoy.
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ADMINISTRATION
On May 1, Curator Acevedo, Education Coordinator Porras, and Director Bradley attended
the Pasadena Showcase House of Design. This year’s Showcase House is the former estate
of Clara Baldwin Stocker, providing staff with an opportunity to learn more about her life,
legacy, and connection to the Arcadia community. The visit offered valuable historical context
that will help inform future educational programming and interpretation related to local history.
On May 5, Curator Acevedo and Education Coordinator Porras attended the Arcadia Unified
School District PTA Awards Luncheon. The event provided an opportunity to share
information about current and upcoming Museum programs, exhibits, and educational
offerings for the summer while connecting with teachers, administrators, and community
partners. Staff also discussed potential collaborations with local schools to further expand
educational programming and strengthen community connection.
Museum staff presented a poster session at the Museum
Educators of Southern California (MESC) Annual Institute
held at the Petersen Automotive Museum on May 11. Titled
The Neighborhood Knows: Creating Community
Connections, the session explored strategies for developing
educational programming that complements exhibits and
fosters stronger connections with the community. Staff also
participated in professional development opportunities and
networked with museum professionals from across Southern
California. Staff were also invited to present a future virtual
session on the topic. The conference also demonstrated the Museum's ongoing investment
in developing future museum professionals, with four former Gilb Museum interns in
attendance, several of whom received scholarships to participate. Their continued
involvement in the museum field reflects the long-term impact of the Museum's internship and
mentorship programs and highlights how local opportunities at the Gilb Museum can help
launch careers within the profession.
The Gilb Museum welcomed staff from the Santa Clarita Public Library for a tour of the
Museum on May 15. Staff provided an overview of current exhibits, educational programming,
and community engagement initiatives. Visitors were also given a behind-the-scenes look at
collections storage, exhibit development, and daily museum operations.
Curator Acevedo accompanied the Museum’s two East Los Angeles College Museum
Studies interns on a field trip to the Monrovia Historical Museum on May 15. During the visit,
interns toured the museum and received a behind-the-scenes look at collections care, exhibit
spaces, and museum operations. The experience provided an opportunity to learn how
another local museum interprets history, manages collections, and engages with the
community.
On May 27, Curator Acevedo attended Emergency Operations Center (EOC) training as part
of the City's ongoing emergency preparedness efforts. The training provided an overview of
emergency response procedures, coordination between departments, and the role of staff
during emergencies.
Curator Acevedo attended the East Los Angeles College (ELAC) Museum Studies Program
internship presentations on June 5, where Gilb Museum interns Ms. Karen Perez and Mr. CJ
Polkinghorne presented on their spring internship experiences. The presentations highlighted
the projects they completed at the Museum, including collections work, research, and exhibit
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development. Their participation demonstrated the value of the Museum’s partnership with
East Los Angeles College and provided an opportunity for students to reflect on and share
the professional skills they developed through their hands-on experience at the Gilb Museum.
The Museum will host interns once again in Spring 2027.
Museum staff prepared for the arrival of the 2026 Getty Marrow Undergraduate Interns, who
began their internships on June 16. The Curatorial and Exhibitions intern Ms. Margaret
Mariani is currently attending the University of California Davis as an anthropology major. Ms.
Kejia (Viona) Huang is attending ArtCenter College of Design, studying fine arts. Preparations
included finalizing project plans, onboarding materials, and work assignments to ensure
interns have meaningful hands-on experiences in both collections and educational
programming. The internship program continues to provide valuable professional
development opportunities while supporting the Museum's ongoing projects and initiatives.
The Friends of the Arcadia Museum (FAM) held its monthly
board meetings on May 7 and June 4. ELAC intern
Polkinghorne delivered a presentation highlighting
fundraising strategies and creative development
opportunities and is currently assisting with the
establishment of Zelle and Venmo accounts to facilitate
passive fund collection. In recognition of his valuable
contributions, the board extended him an invitation to join as
a member. Notably, FAM received two generous donations
during this period: $6,400 from the Lions Club Foundation
in May and $1,000 from the Arcadia Chinese Association in June. The board also discussed
hosting a Vons Credit Union fundraiser on July 24. The next board meeting is scheduled for
July 2.
EDUCATION and PROGRAMMING
Educational programming remained active throughout May with a variety
of school, public, and preservation-focused programs. Staff participated
in the Firefighters Pancake Breakfast on May 2, where the Museum
hosted an outreach table featuring artifacts from the collection and
distributed nearly 200 Build Your Own Firefighter educational kits. The
kits were a popular activity, and most were distributed during the event.
Educator Porras conducted ten school programs between Baldwin
Stocker Elementary and Hugo Reid Elementary, presenting both the
Then vs. Now and Tongva Dictionary lessons. Staff also participated in
the Senior Resource Fair at the Arcadia Community Center on May 8.
The Preservation Workshop series continued with a workshop on preserving photographs on May
9, which welcomed 10 participants. A new and second workshop focusing on audiovisual media
preservation was held on May 23 and had 2 participants. These programs continue to provide
community members with practical tools and resources for caring for personal collections and
family histories.
On May 12, the Museum released its newest educational kit, Lucky Baldwin & the Wild West, the
next of the Museum’s free educational kit series. In recognition of Asian American and Pacific
Islander Heritage Month, the Museum also partnered once again with Sabrina Yip, recipient of
the AUSD You & Me Grant. As part of her completed community project, Sabrina created 100
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good luck knot kits, all of which were distributed by the Museum, continuing a successful
collaboration from the previous year.
The Museum also concluded both its Reel Reflections and Hidden Histories documentary
programs during May. The final screenings featured East West Players: A Home on Stage, a PBS
documentary highlighting the nation’s longest-running Asian American theatre company. The final
Reel Reflections session on May 13 and the final Hidden Histories program on May 30 each
welcomed 1 participant. Following an evaluation of attendance and community engagement, staff
have decided to discontinue both programs and begin exploring new concepts that may better
align with community interests and participation.
The Museum hosted a special presentation on May 16
highlighting Clara Baldwin Stocker and her story. The
program was inspired in part by the inclusion of her home in
this year’s Pasadena Showcase House of Design, providing
an opportunity to share the story of a historical figure who is
often overlooked. The presentation welcomed 30 attendees.
The talk was also recorded and shared on the Museum’s
YouTube channel, allowing individuals who were unable to
attend to view the presentation. Staff hopes to continue
offering similar research-based talks that highlight lesser-
known individuals and stories from Arcadia’s past.
VOLUNTEERS
The Museum’s volunteers remained actively involved throughout May, supporting a variety of
programs and projects. Volunteers assisted with preparations for the Firefighters Pancake
Breakfast and helped assemble the Lucky Baldwin & the Wild West educational kits. Staff also
continued recruiting new volunteers, welcoming several new adult and teen volunteers to the
program while reviewing applications and conducting interviews for the upcoming Teen Lead
program. Due to continued interest and growth, the volunteer program is nearing capacity, and
volunteer applications will be closed for the summer season.
Orientation planning is currently underway for both teen volunteers and, for the first time, adult
volunteers and interns joining the Museum for the summer. Beginning June 16, volunteers will
return to a daily schedule to support increased summer programming, with sign-ups coordinated
through a new summer schedule on Slack. Volunteers will also begin preparing for major
upcoming programs, including the Summer Enrichment Program and Dino Day. The Museum’s
Summer Kickoff event on June 20 will feature a special presentation by Science Heroes.
Additionally, one of the Museum’s volunteers created and shared a social media reel highlighting
the Museum, which received strong engagement online and helped connect the Museum with a
new audience.
Volunteer hours
May 1- June 21: 376.5 hours
Submitted by Curator Stevy Acevedo and Director of Library & Museum Services, Darlene Bradley
A vai lable AM & PM
F r E E !
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THE GILB MUSEUM OF ARCADIA HERITAGE
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 P R E S E N T S :
Discov er the rich h i sto ry
and heritage of Arcadia
thr o ugh its key
milestones and ou r
Nation’s annive rsaries.
Exp erie n ce a journey
t h rough t i me and
cele brate the legacy of
our community .
SeasonsSeasonsSeasons
in Framesin Framesin Frames
16 ANNUALTH
PHOTOGRAPHY CONTEST
This year’s theme, “Seasons in Frames,” celebrates the
moments, moods, and magic of each season as seen
through your unique lens. Come visit the museum and
see how your community captures the seasons!
The Gilb Museum of Arcadia Heritage Presents:
Exhibit
Now Open Until
July 18
380 West Huntington Drive Arcadia, California 91007
(626) 574-5440 Museum@arcadiaca.gov
www.ArcadiaCA.gov/Museum
A d o p t Yo u r
O w n D i n o !E x c a va t i o n
S A T U R D A Y , A U G U S T 2 2
1 :3 0 P M - 3 :3 0 P M
S A T U R D A Y , A U G U S T 2 2
1 :3 0 P M - 3 :3 0 P M
THE GILB MUSEUM OF ARCADIA HERITAGE PRESENTS:
5 t h A n n u al5th A n nu al5th A nn ual5th A nn ual
382 West Huntington Drive Arcadia, CA 91007
www.Arcadiaca.gov/Museum (626)574-5440
D i n o Da yDino Da yDino Da yDino Da y
F U N F O R T H E W H O L E H E R D !F U N F O R T H E W H O L E H E R D !
F r e e D r o p - i n
E v e n t !
M e e t a
D i n o s a u r
The Gilb Museum of Arcadia Heritage
380 West Hunttington Drive Arcadia, CA 91007
Open Tuesday to Saturday 10am -12pm & 1pm -4pm
(626)574-5440 www.Arcadiaca.gov/museum
City of Arcadia Diorama
Created by four 3th grade classes from Baldwin
Stocker Elementary School, this collaborative 3D
diorama showcases the students’ creativity,
teamwork, and imagination.
May 23 - July 18, 2026
MUSEUM COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
Wednesday, May 6, 2026
____________________________________________________________________________
CALL TO ORDER – Chairperson Dale Carter called the meeting to order at 5:01 p.m. in the Museum
Education Center.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – Chairperson Dale Carter
ROLL CALL – Chairperson Dale Carter; Commissioner Angela Ayala, Marilyn Daleo; Library Director Darlene
Bradley, Museum Curator Stevy Acevedo, and Museum Education Coordinator Lauren Porras.
PUBLIC COMMENTS: None
REPORTS FROM MUSEUM COMMISSION MEMBERS/LIAISONS:
Reports from Commissioner Daleo stated that the Arcadia Lions Club officially dissolved and the Museum will
be receiving a monetary donation on behalf of the civic organization through the Friends of the Museum.
REPORT FROM THE DIRECTOR
Director Bradley provided several departmental updates. She informed the Commission that this would be her
final Commission meeting prior to her retirement in June. She shared information regarding the City's Fallen
Veterans Memorial event being held in observance of Memorial Day. Director Bradley also announced that the
Library now offers LinkedIn Learning as a resource for patrons. Additionally, she noted that the Library will be
hosting a Book Talk featuring 1776 as part of the nation's upcoming 250th anniversary commemoration.
Finally, she reported that staff is currently preparing for the launch of the Summer Reading Program.
REPORT FROM THE CURATOR
Curator Acevedo announced that museum staff, volunteers, and interns have continued to support collections
management, exhibits, and educational programming. Collections work included inventory, digitization,
cataloging, and accessioning newly acquired artifacts. Notable donations received during this period included
an original 1954 Arcadia Little League Official Program donated by Mr. Art and Ms. Mary Escobedo. The
Museum also welcomed two East Los Angeles College Museum Studies interns, who have begun gaining
hands-on experience in collections management and exhibit development. The Created Equal exhibit,
developed in partnership with First Avenue Middle School, opened on March 21 and welcomed more than 150
attendees at its reception. Additional exhibits highlighted the Ranchos of Santa Anita and Arcadia's business
history, while the annual Photography Contest exhibit opened on April 25. Staff also represented the Museum
at professional conferences and community events, while continuing preparations for the summer Getty
internship program and implementing facility security upgrades.
REPORT FROM MUSEUM EDUCATION COORDINATOR
Education Coordinator Porras reported that the Museum’s educational kit program continues to see strong
community engagement, with the Arcadia’s First Settlers kit currently available and the Lucky Baldwin & the Wild
West kit in development. The Museum continued offering its Reel Reflections and Hidden Histories documentary
programs, while evaluating participation and future programming opportunities. The Spring Preschool Program
remained highly successful, averaging 13 to 18 participants per week and concluding the season with a special
session in collaboration with the Arcadia Police Department. Preservation programs expanded with both
Digitization and Advanced Digitization workshops, which collectively welcomed 26 participants. The Museum
also hosted approximately 150 students from Holly Avenue Elementary School for its annual field trip, featuring
hands-on educational activities focused on local history and culture. Staff participated in community outreach
events including Spring Fling and Arcadia Goes Green, distributing educational kits and hands-on craft activities
to families. Volunteers continued supporting exhibits, educational programming, and kit assembly, with five
volunteers recognized at the City’s Volunteer Appreciation Dinner. From March 1 through April 21, volunteers
contributed 390.58 hours in support of Museum operations and programs.
CONSENT CALENDAR:
a. Approve the Regular Meeting Minutes of March 4, 2026, 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
Ayala. The motion carried.
Ayes: Chairperson Carter and Commissioners Ayala and Daleo
Noes: None
ADJOURNMENT:
Chairperson Carter adjourned the meeting at 5:45 p.m. to Wednesday, July 1, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. in the
Museum Education Center at 382 West Huntington Drive, Arcadia.
Approved:
________________________________________________
Samantha Alba, Interim Director of Library and Museum Services
Prepared by: Lauren Porras, Museum Education Coordinator