Museum Showcasing Valley History Opening in October

The San Fernando Valley is home to nearly 2 million people, but one man would like to point out there's also thousands of pieces chronicling local history.

Tommy Gelinas may the most devoted individual to preserving the Valley's past and he's getting ready to unveil his collection of neon signs, classic cars, postcards and more with the opening of the San Fernando Valley Relics Museum in Chatsworth on Oct. 12.

Since his younger days of wandering Reseda Boulevard and other local streets, he's collected pieces of Valley history. Now, at 49, Gelinas has a small team amassing his historical arsenal that he wants to speak for itself.

"I think the Valley has such a rich history," he said, adding: "I always found myself trying to explain what used to be here and this used to bet that, it started to bother me."

That's why he's gearing up to open his 4,600-square-foot museum. 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 also fondly recalled the era of local skateparks and when the famed Z-Boys--the central focus of the film "Lords of Dogtown"-- cruised the area on their boards.

"The boys of Dogtown would come here because they had the ocean and we had the cement waves," he said.

Gelinas, who owns a printing business in North Hollywood, secured nonprofit status for San Fernando Valley Relics last year and said the museum would be open one day a week from the get go until he brings more volunteers on board.

The grand opening of the San Fernando Valley Relics museum is on Oct. 12 from noon to 5 p.m. The museum is located at 21630 Marilla St. in Chatsworth.