The Hermosa Beach Museum has made significant strides towards achieving accreditation with the American Alliance of Museums (AAM) in 2026. This progress coincides with the city of Hermosa Beach’s approval for a museum expansion in November 2025 and the successful hosting of its largest fundraiser to date in August 2025, raising nearly $75,000.
According to the museum’s Director and Curator Jamie Erickson, the year has been a celebration of hard work. “The end of this year was a huge celebration for us with a really optimistic accreditation report and the backroom expansion,” she stated. The museum’s journey toward accreditation began in 2022, marking a decade-long discussion among its board of directors about initiating this crucial process.
To qualify for accreditation, the museum had to increase its operational hours to the equivalent of five business days per week. Additionally, the hiring of a full-time employee was mandated. Ryan Basford was appointed as the program and education manager, and Amara Ly was brought on as a part-time curator. These steps are part of the museum’s commitment to becoming the premier showcase of Hermosa Beach’s history.
To enhance its offerings, the museum has introduced rotating exhibits that highlight the city’s vibrant music history, particularly its punk and jazz scenes. This expansion of programming necessitated additional funding, posing challenges as the museum operates as a non-profit entity without direct city funding.
In August, the museum welcomed representatives for a site visit, and the feedback received was overwhelmingly positive. “That report was really fantastic,” Erickson remarked. “The fact that everything was in line with what we were already doing and is so easily achievable was really tremendous.”
The forthcoming steps include conducting a professional audit, with a supplemental report to be submitted in spring 2026. Feedback on this report is anticipated around July 2026. Concurrently, the museum is working on a comprehensive 25-year plan, which includes utilizing a space previously designated for city records to create additional storage and work areas for volunteers.
Fundraising efforts will support the renovation processes, which will occur in phases. The museum’s annual gala, its largest fundraising event, typically takes place in August. The upcoming 10th anniversary of this gala is set for 2026.
Thanks to the community’s generosity, the new year will bring upgrades to the museum, including enhanced seating and a new projector with a drop-down screen. Future events, such as the rebranded “After Hours,” formerly known as “Happy Hour With History,” will feature caterers and bartenders to elevate the experience for attendees.
The first “After Hours” event of the new year is scheduled for Thursday, January 22, featuring a celebration of the digitization of the “Hermosa Beach Review,” which was published for over 70 years. Following this, on January 29, a panel discussion titled “We Got Power! South Bay Punk” will delve into the punk rock scene of the 1980s. This panel will include notable figures such as punk icons Dez Cadena and Janet Housden, along with authors David Markey and Jordan Schwartz.
For more information about upcoming events and initiatives, visit the Hermosa Beach Historical Society’s website.
