Podcast: Burbank’s Hidden Gem - The Historical Society Museum

A small door near the Little Blue House opens into a two-floor time capsule, and we recorded right from the middle of it. From the Burbank Historical Society’s member appreciation day, we talk with the people who keep this community museum running on pure volunteer energy, donations, and stubborn love for local history. If you’ve ever searched “things to do in Burbank” and somehow missed this place, you’re not alone and that’s exactly what we’re trying to fix. We sit down with longtime volunteer Gary Sutliff to hear how exhibits actually get built, why a massive medallion on the wall still has unanswered questions, and how Burbank fire history comes alive through a classic fire engine that may even return to a parade. Jamie Keyser, CEO of the Burbank Chamber of Commerce, shares why this museum should never be a “best-kept secret” and how the collection connects Burbank’s farming roots to Lockheed, the Skunk Works legacy, and the city’s rise as a media and entertainment hub with artifacts like Johnny Carson’s suit. Burbank Historical Society president Michael Thomas explains the future: new displays, the need for a stable long-term lease to unlock grants, and why expansion depends on real support from the community. We also talk with Don Baldasaroni about the everyday nostalgia that becomes priceless over time, and with Joseph about recruiting younger docents and using Instagram, TikTok, and digital storytelling to bring new visitors through the doors. If you care about Burbank history, local museums, or how cities protect their identity, listen through and then help us spread the word. Subscribe, share the episode with a neighbor, and leave a review so more people find this museum.Support the show