The Quarterly Newsletter of the
HERMOSA BEACH
HISTORICAL SOCIETY
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Presidents Message I would like to share a story and a vision with you that started six years ago. The year was 2002, The Board of the HBHS (most of whom had been with the organization since its inception) were looking at our small museum space and we unanimously decided that we needed more room, It was time to expand. But How? Where? And what will it cost? The answer became obvious although overwhelming to even consider. We lobbied with the Hermosa Beach City Council to relocate their Public Works storage and offices elsewhere, so we could move into the 2800 sq. ft space adjacent to ours. It took a lot of time and effort but they (The HB City Council) agreed. O.K., now that we have the space. How much will it cost? And where will we get the money? Not to be discouraged, We had luncheons, contacted the Hermosans of privilege and successfully funded our project. The vision was to provide our residents and visitors with a destination location that would educate and entertain them while telling the story of our rich HB history. As I am sure you know our new expanded space has been open for a little over a year now and we have had several well-received events. Last month we presented our first in a series of lectures entitled “The Beat Goes On”, A Night at the Insomniac. Thanks to our event committee, Our museum was transformed into a Beat movement era coffee shop and we are proud to report a full house and rave reviews. This event, and a place to provide it, has been our dream and now it has come to fruition. The good news, The best is yet to come. Yours in Service, Rick Koenig Check Your Mailing Label! The date on your mailing label is the date you last paid your dues. All members in good standing are invited to our annual meeting and party on March 9th. You may mail in your check in the enclosed envelope or pay at the door. |
Many thanks to our members who have already renewed - especially those at the Patron level. A warm welcome to our new, and Life, Members. Thank you for your support! Memberships to the HBHS make great gifts! Insomniac Night Between 1958 and 1963, the Insomniac on Pier Avenue in Hermosa Beach, just across the street from the Lighthouse, was a hotbed for musicians of all sorts, artists and writers, especially those involved in the Beatnik movement like Jack Kerouac and Allen Ginsberg. Founded by Bob Hare, it originally opened in November 1958 as a coffeehouse but soon expanded to a bookstore and art gallery, taking over half a block on Pier Avenue. In our effort to bring back the Beat Generation to the beach cities, the Hermosa Beach Historical Society, along with host Tucker Booth, presented “A Night of Poetry - ‘The Beat Goes On'” on January 27th. Starting at 4:30, the agenda included: A lecture on "Poetry & Politics in the Insomniac Era" by Dr. Colin Campbell; Insomniac History, music and poetry by Bob Hare, Founder of The Insomniac; an Old Hermosa Beach Beatnik Slideshow by Brian Chidester of Dumb Angel Magazine dumbangelmagazine.com; Leonard "The Mouse that Roared" Wibberly Tribute; Music Interlude by Tucker Booth and Rob Getzschman of thefrozenfoodsection.com; Poetry Readings by: Michael Andrews, Wanda Smith, and David McIntire. 2006 Annual Meeting & Membership Party Sunday, March 9, 2008, at 6:30 PM |