CURRENT EXHIBITS

Our exhibits make our history come alive! Learn about the steamships that serviced the island for 100 years.  See our colorful collection of Catalina pottery and tile.  Touch buffalo fur.  Learn how Hollywood used Catalina Island as a “backlot” for hundreds of movies. Enjoy beautiful oil paintings of Avalon Bay and the interior.  Learn about the birth of sportfishing right here on Catalina.  Give us 30 minutes of your time and we'll give you 7,000 years of history!

PERMANENT EXHIBITS
   ~ Catalina’s First Inhabitants: The Gabrielinos
     ~ The Evolution of a Resort Community
     ~ Reeling in a New Sport: Sportfishing on Catalina Island
     ~ Island Ranching
     ~ Catalina’s Steamers: In All the World No Trip Like This!
     ~ The Ning Po: A Chinese Junk in Catalina Waters
     ~ The Casino
     ~ Hollywood on Catalina

SPECIAL EXHIBITS

Open July 2, 2010 - January 2011

We have culled through our collection of tens of thousands of photographs to showcase the best and most striking images for our new summer exhibition. Among the many amazing images will be a number of original photographs form the late 1800s and the early 1900s. Also on display will be a variety of cameras used by island photographer Gene Smith from the 1930s through the 1970s.

You won't want to miss out on this spectacular show! The photographs showcased in this exhibit truly portray many different views and aspects of the island as well as life on the island.

New Permanent Exhibit!

Thanks to special donors Larry & Carole Harris and the Cox we just installed a brand new permanent display case! 

This floor-to-ceiling case allows us to showcase much more of our spectacular collection of Catalina pottery--including some rare pieces on loan! Be sure to check it out soon!

Not on Catalina?  Check out our
ONLINE EXHIBITS
Visit the virtual museum exhibits hosted at www.ecatalina.com.
     ~ The Evolution of a Resort Community: How did Avalon come to be?
     ~ Catalina Pottery and Tile, 1927 - 1947: Examine the history of this
colorful ware.
     ~ The Casino: Learn the story behind Avalon's beloved landmark building.
     ~ The Chicago Cubs Spring Training: The story of Catalina & the Cubs
     ~ Filming Catalina: Hollywood's Exotic Back Lot
     ~ Seaplanes of Catalina: Discover these amazing aircraft!
     ~ World War II on Catalina Island: From resort community to military station.

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