Pomona Ebell Museum of History

In many cultures there is a celebration of light and hope and joy in the darkest part of the year. We decorate, we gather family together for a meal, and we give gifts. This year I took no shortcuts in decorating the yard or decorating the tree. I am going to wrap packages instead of using gift bags and I am making real bows to boot. I am even sending Christmas cards for the first time in 30 years. I am determined to make my own island of normal, even though no family will be... visiting, and I won’t be cooking for a big group. So this December my wish for you is that you and yours celebrate this holiday whether it is Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, or a quiet day in your own island of normal so that we can enter 2021 with the strength and the focus to make things better. Enjoy some holiday pics from our archive. Sincerely, Deborah A. Clifford, President Historical Society of Pomona Valley

HSPV is 104 plus years of stories of the people who settled this land, raised their families, and made a living. Every story has at its center the very real people of Pomona living their lives and making our history. There is Jack Ford, big man on campus’ at Pomona High School in 1915, who joined the Army to serve in WWI and did not return. There are the dreamers like Francisco Palomares, Cyrus Burdick, and Patrick Tonner who dreamed of starting a real town and becoming ric...h. In 1918, Sheriff Slanker was so feared by local miscreants that they turned themselves in once they knew he was looking for them. There are the stories of the singers and dancers of Padua Hills who made Pomona their home. There is the story of a Japanese cowboy and an African American astronaut. We have survived the Great Depression, several recessions, World Wars, two pandemics, and all the ups and downs of the 20th century. Our goal is to get to our 106th anniversary in 2022 and celebrate it. For that we need your help. We now know that nearly half of all small non-profits like HSPV will not survive to reopen. Make sure that the Historical Society of Pomona Valley is not one of them. We are resilient here in Pomona and some would even say tough. The Historical Society is not going to give up easily. But we need your help. Please find whatever room in your budget you can to help us continue finding and telling our stories. Please click "Donate" and invest in Pomona's history and future. -Deborah Clifford, President *Facebook pays all the processing fees for you, so 100% of your donation goes directly to the nonprofit. See more

We hope we'll "see" some of you tomorrow night!

The Ebell Club (left) at its original location on Garey and Pearl. Photo courtesy of the Pomona Public Library. Link here: http://bit.ly/EbellOriginalLocation

Hey, history buffs! Looking for something to do? The Library of Congress is looking for volunteers to help transcribe and review historic documents. Having documents and photos online is a crucial part of furthering research and giving people access to their history. It's also just a lot of fun.

The Ebell Club (left) at its original location on Garey and Pearl. Photo courtesy of the Pomona Public Library. Link here: http://bit.ly/EbellOriginalLocation

Help HSPV Save Pomona Valley History!

Tonight's the big night! Here's your chance to learn about the famous Spadra Cemetery. Be sure to bring your comfy shoes and a sense of adventure!

It's almost here! The Mexican Players at Padua Hills Theatre was the longest-running Mexican American theater group in United States history. Join us this Saturday to check out artifacts that haven't been seen by the public in half a century or more, enjoy music, dancing, & films from the era, hear from actual Mexican Players descendants, and chow down on a taco dinner. Please RSVP to 909-623-2198, [email protected], or skip the line and get your tickets ahead of time at www.pomonahistorical.org/events.

One of our items at the Pomona Ebell Museum of History was featured in an Inland Valley Daily Bulletin article by Joe Blackstock!

Hey history buffs! Our Spadra fundraiser is just a few weeks away. Enjoy a summer evening out at the Phillips Mansion with a special presentation on the Vejar and Phillips families, early Pomona, and the lost town of Spadra!

Here's your chance to get involved with the Historical Society!

Join us at the Casa Primera this Saturday!

Please RSVP! Pomona has a rich history, and the Historical Society of Pomona Valley is here to teach you about it! We'd love it if you'd join us for our 2019 A...nnual Meeting, featuring displays about some of our favorite Pomona "histories." We'll also have a presentation on the Palomares Cemetery. Tickets are $30 for non-members, $25 for members, and $10 for kids 12 and under. We'll have appetizers at 5:30 PM plus dinner from Corazon Urban Kitchen at 7 PM. Proceeds from the dinner will go toward the many events we have scheduled this year, including our Fiesta in March. Tickets can be purchased at the door or online at www.pomonahistorical.org/events. See more

This weekend is your last chance to see Zornes at the Palomares Adobe!

Here's your chance to visit the Spadra Cemetery for a good cause. Come for a tour to help us protect and preserve this 1800's site!