By Jonathan Friedman
Lookout Staff

October 25, 2010 -- Nearly 200 people gathered at the east end of the Santa Monica Main Library Sunday afternoon for the opening of the Santa Monica History Museum. The 5,000-square-foot facility features interactive exhibits, photographs and artifacts to teach people about this area’s history from before the arrival of Europeans to the present day.

“It’s been a difficult journey, but we’ve climbed the mountain and we’re here,” Santa Monica Historical Society President Louise Gabriel said at a reception that took place an hour before the opening for those who were part of making the museum a reality.

Gabriel is one of the founding members of the Santa Monica Historical Society, which formed in 1975 out of a group that collected old photos and artifacts for the City’s Centennial Celebration. Gabriel and her husband Bob, a former council member, dedicated the past three decades to preserving the City’s past and finding a permanent home to bring the visuals of that past to Santa Monica’s residents and visitors.

Bob Gabriel found a space for the original history museum on Third Street in 1987. The museum has had several homes since that time. Bob Gabriel died in 2007, but his memory was alive for many in attendance.

“He would have been so proud to be celebrating with all of his friends and family,” said his daughter Susan Gabriel-Potter. “This is a celebration for the Gabriel family. Over 35 years ago, I remember sitting at our kitchen table listening to my parents talk about how wonderful it would be to have a community history museum to preserve the rich history of Santa Monica.”

She said her mother gave her “heart and soul to the museum because of her love for Santa Monica.”

Gabriel-Potter continued, “This is a dream that started 35 years ago in my father and mother’s minds. To have it become a reality is just so awesome.”

Several City and State leaders were in attendance. They gave official recognitions for the museum and Louise Gabriel.

Council member Bob Holbrook, a lifelong Santa Monica resident, said the museum puts life into that end of the library and said it another improvement for Downtown Santa Monica.

“We have a rich history, and it was beginning to be lost,” Holbrook said. “I think it’s important that the residents today and future generations have a chance to understand where our past comes from.”

Community leader Nat Trives, who was mayor in 1975 when the Historical Society was formed, said it was “absolutely incredible” to finally see the museum completed. He said it was bittersweet that Bob Gabriel was not able to see the final product. He called Gabriel “a kind and good man, who was dedicated to his wife and to Santa Monica.”

Trives said he was looking forward to the opportunity for young people to visit the museum and learn about Santa Monica’s history. And he said there will be much for older people to learn as well.

He said, “I think this a good classroom for the community.”