Tucked away inside 2 hangers at the Van Nuys Airport, you’ll find a place that is helping to preserve and celebrate the rich history of the San Fernando Valley. The Valley Relics Museum is a 10,000 square foot museum and event space that is the passion project of Founder Tommy Gelinas.
Photo Credit: Valley Relics Museum
Tommy was born and raised in The Valley and developed an interest in its history as a kid while running errands with his dad. He was fascinated by a mural in a bank depicting the early days of the valley; and his dad would drive him around to try and locate those places and that’s where his obsession for The Valley’s History started. Over the years it would evolve into a collection of all kinds or artifacts from the Valley’s history, from documents, clothing, cars, pop culture artifacts and signs from famous Valley establishments. In late 2012 the Valley Relics Museum was established as a non-profit and after a brief stint in Chatworth, moved to its current location in Van Nuys 2018.
At the museum you can find displays dedicated to highlighting different aspects of the valley’s rich history. From it’s contributions to the aerospace industry, to the film industry; the role the valley played in the development of the sport of BMX Racing and famous valley icons like Nudie Cohn the famous rodeo tailor who designed Elvis Presley’s gold lamé suit. And of course, signage from iconic valley institutions like The Palomino, The White Horse Inn, and Many others. The museum currently only showcases about 45 percent of its collection at a time, but will hopefully move to larger and permanent location in the coming years where it will continue to preserve and spotlight the amazing accomplishments and exceptional history of the San Fernando Valley.
References:
“If You Grew Up in the Valley, This Museum Will Bring Back Memories” Erik Himmelsbach-Weinstein, LA Magazine, March 27, 2017.
“L.A.’s Valley Relics Museum” by Time Out Youtube Channel. Nov. 3 2021
“San Fernando Valley” by Valley Relics Museum Youtube Channel. Oct. 7, 2010.