The Museum is actively acquiring and preserving the best examples of artifacts, books, images, and manuscript materials relevant to our mission. Detailed finding aids will be posted on line as soon as possible. Our collection is especially strong in the following areas:
Primary source materials from shipyards which operated in the Port of Los Angeles, including Fulton Marine Construction Company, William A. Muller/Banning Yard, California Shipbuilding Corporation (“Calship”), Bethlehem, Todd Shipyard, and Fellows & Stewart (our largest archive). Holdings include original drawings, blueprints, photographs, time books, contracts, shipyard publications, correspondence, half models, and tools.
Other important collections include logbooks from the Catalina steamships, Los Angeles port pilot records, photograph albums compiled by sailors in the Pacific Fleet c. 1923-1939, the Dwight Long collection, records of the tug ANGELS GATE, and a growing collection of items owned and used by the officers and crew of the USS LOS ANGELES CA-135.
Note: The collection does not include genealogical records or passenger lists.
The Museum has a small research library, open by appointment. The library includes late 19th through 20th century editions of Merchant Vessels of the United States, Lloyds Registers, and a substantial run of periodicals pertaining to West Coast yachting. Rare cruise books from US Navy Ships are available for study.
Access policies:
Our library is non-circulating, so materials may only be accessed within the museum building. Copies of photographs and excerpts from published materials are available for a fee. All proceeds support our ongoing acquisition and conservation efforts to make the collections available for future generations.
Please note that because of limitations of staff size and limited reading areas, we cannot accommodate anyone without an appointment. Please contact the Museum Curator at least 5 days in advance of your visit, and we will be happy to work with you. Thank you for your cooperation.
