San Fernando Valley Relics museum to open

Sign for former White Horse Inn on Roscoe Boulevard. LA Observed photo

Tommy Gelinas, the prolific collector of memorabilia, photos, signage and documents related to the San Fernando Valley, plans to put some of his collection on display in Chatsworth starting on October 12. The Valley Relics museum will be at 21630 Marilla Street and be open one day a week at first. From North Hollywood Patch (hat tip to Curbed LA):

Some of the prized pieces Gelinas plans on featuring include a pair of cars customized by Nudie Cohn, a late costume designer of many classic cowboy outfits for actors ranging from John Wayne to Elvis Presley.

A number of signs from businesses like Henry's Tacos, the White Horse Inn and the Lankershim Theatre, among countless old BMX bikes, which originated in the Valley, photos dating back to the late 1800s, postcards and yearbooks will also be displayed.

The overall goal, Gelinas says, is to educate people about how the Valley used to be home to places like the Sherman Square Ice Rink and the Topanga Plaza.

"What people get really nostalgic about [the Valley] is the farmland, how safe it was, horseback riding," he said.

Gelinas' efforts to open a museum are separate from the proposed Museum of the San Fernando Valley, a volunteer organization that is seeking funding and a site for permanent museum. The museum's current board of directors president is Scott Sterling.