Torrance city feature
About this landmark
A museum preserving Torrance's history in a historic 1936 library building.
The Torrance Historical Society & Museum is located at 1345 Post Ave. and occupies the former Torrance Public Library. Built in 1936 under the Works Progress Administration, the building received a federal contribution of $12,691 and was designed by the architecture firm Walker & Eisen. The Torrance Historical Society, founded in 1973, opened the museum in this historic building in 1979. The museum's mission is to promote interest in and education in the history of Torrance and the San Pedro Rancho, and to collect, acquire, preserve, conserve, and make available records, data, photographs, and oral histories relating to the city's history.
From Library to Community Museum
Torrance was founded in 1912. The Torrance Post Library building was completed in 1936 under the Works Progress Administration, with the federal government contributing $12,691 to the project. The architectural firm Walker & Eisen designed the building to serve as a public library for the growing city. The Torrance Historical Society was founded in 1973 and opened the museum within the same building in 1979, establishing a permanent home for the organization's historical education and preservation work. The building was independently confirmed in 1979 as home to the Historical Society and Museum, a role it has maintained for decades.
Beyond serving as a museum and archive, the Torrance Historical Society operates a Plaque Program placing bronze plaques on significant historic landmarks throughout the community. This program has been ongoing for approximately the past twenty years, helping mark and preserve the built heritage scattered across Torrance's neighborhoods and business districts. The Society also maintains research archives available by appointment for community members conducting historical research.
Exhibits and Community Events
The museum is open Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays from 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm, with research and archive services available by appointment. Visitors can experience permanent exhibits, special exhibits, tours, and events throughout the year. The museum's phone number is (310) 328-5392, and visitors are encouraged to call ahead for research appointments and archive access.
The Society hosts a biennial "Tour of Historic Homes" fundraiser held on the second October weekend in even-numbered years. The tradition began in 1980 and continues to this day. Proceeds from the tour support the museum's operations, archives, research efforts, and exhibitions, helping sustain the organization's mission of preserving and sharing Torrance's heritage with the community.
Insurance connection: Home coverage basics
A homeowners insurance policy protects a home against specific perils such as fire and theft. The dwelling coverage limit should be set to equal the actual cost to rebuild the home, not its market value. A standard policy excludes floods, earthquakes, and mold; additional coverage must be purchased separately for these perils. The Department of Insurance recommends keeping an updated, photographed home inventory and reviewing dwelling limits annually to ensure adequate coverage. Eligibility and specific coverage limits depend on your individual policy. Learn more about homeowners insurance. The issued policy controls.
Primary sources: Information verified through the official Torrance Historical Society site, the Old Torrance Neighbors historical page, and the Living New Deal archive.
Insurance context is general information only. The issued policy and its endorsements settle coverage.