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

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SPECIAL EXHIBITS
 

Now Open!

Catalina Island--Hollywood's Favorite Backlot

This summer you can learn all about Catalina's longstanding ties to Tinsel Town! Catalina has long been beloved of celebrities as a yachting destination and more.  John Wayne, Norma Jeane Baker, Henry Fonda and more have visited the island for decades.

Enjoy film clips from Mutiny on the Bounty (Clark Gable, 1935) and The Glassbottom Boat (Doris Day, 1966) and an interview with island native and actor Gregory Harrison!  See a Cecil B. DeMille script! And much much more!

New Permanent Exhibit!

Thanks to special donors Larry & Carole Harris and the Cox Trust, 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.