THANK YOU, VENICE!
Thanks to you—in just a few months—we raised over $45,000
in online and offline contributions for Venice's first-ever museum during our Spring 2021 Indiegogo Campaign!
It’s about time Venice had its own museum.
Founded July 4, 1905, “Venice of America” as it was originally called has become an epicenter of creative influence spanning art, music, literature, film, style, and more. At its heart is an eclectic and passionate community.
The Venice Heritage Museum will represent the many facets of Venice culture and honor the diverse generations of Venice residents—improving the present with the past—while providing a common ground for the current day.
Situated along the gateway to Venice, the museum campus will serve as a town square where residents and the millions of visitors who come to Venice each year alike can visit, celebrate, and learn from all there is to know and love about our city.
The Venice Heritage Museum will represent the many facets of Venice culture and honor the diverse generations of Venice residents—improving the present with the past—while providing a common ground for the current day.
Situated along the gateway to Venice, the museum campus will serve as a town square where residents and the millions of visitors who come to Venice each year alike can visit, celebrate, and learn from all there is to know and love about our city.
THE VENICE HERITAGE
MUSEUM CAMPUS
A COMMON GROUND FOR COMMUNITY MEMBERS & VISITORS!
PACIFIC ELECTRIC RED CAR & TOKIO STATION
Envisioned for the Venice Heritage Museum project is the city’s first-ever history museum and campus that will include as its centerpiece a renovated Pacific Electric Red Car trolley (circa 1905). Phase II of the campus will feature a replica of the original Tokio Substation ticketing booth that served riders from 1904 to 1950. The station was nicknamed for its distance from Venice’s main business district along Windward Avenue.
The museum campus will be located in Venice of America Centennial Park, just east of the Venice–Abbot Kinney Memorial Branch Library and immediately west of Abbot Kinney Boulevard as depicted in the diagram above. |
The original Pacific Electric Red Line trolley and Tokio Substation on Venice Boulevard. Venice’s original City Hall (now Beyond Baroque) can be seen in the background.
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COMMUNITY CORNER
We want to make sure that the people who live in or visit Venice have a space to gather and meet all the wonderful neighbors who make up our community. Whether you are an Artist, Business Owner, Community Organizer, Craftsman, Dancer, Entrepreneur, Fashion Designer, Filmmaker, Musician, Philanthropist, Restaurateur, Storyteller (or too many more to list), we know you have a lot to share with the community.
The Community Corner is intended to be a central space – a town square and event venue – where everyone is welcome. It will serve as an affordable rental space for guest curators, providing a supplemental source of income to the museum apart from donations and grants. Lastly, we will be closely monitoring noise levels in consideration of nearby neighbors and ensuring the utmost safety of our guests while events are underway at the Community Corner. |
Tongva elder, Angie Behrns, leading a ceremonial blessing at the closing of our “A History of Venice” exhibition at Beyond Baroque, September 2019.
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INFORMATION BOOTH / VISITOR CENTER
What we have envisioned here is the first stop for visitors to explore our city's history as well as obtain general information, directions, recommendations, and all the great advice only locals can provide.
Additionally, if you are a business down an alley, around a corner, or working out of your home, we intend to use this space to help the community find you! We plan to feature a rotation of local businesses and makers, and will work with the community, Venice Chamber of Commerce, and Venice Neighborhood Council to ensure that all who might be interested are aware of the opportunity. Our intent is for the community to be represented here and be a part of the booth’s creation and evolution as new needs and opportunities arise. |
Venice Heritage Museum campus rendering courtesy of the Studio of Environmental Architecture (SEA), 2019.
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