On Saturday, September 13, don’t miss the rare opportunity to tour the world famous Tuna Club of Avalon, a nationally registered historic landmark and the oldest fishing club in the United States. The Catalina Island Museum partners with the Tuna Club, which prides itself as the birthplace of sport fishing, to reveal the rich history and traditions of the club to the public.
On Saturday, September 13, don’t miss the rare opportunity to tour the world famous Tuna Club of Avalon, a nationally registered historic landmark and the oldest fishing club in the United States. The Catalina Island Museum partners with the Tuna Club, which prides itself as the birthplace of sport fishing, to reveal the rich history and traditions of the club to the public.
Access to the historic clubhouse founded in 1898 is restricted to members only, but once a year, when the club opens its doors to the public to share its amazing history. Fishing trophies, artifacts and photographs are among many relics exhibited in the club, documenting the history of big-game fishing and the first rod and reel catchers of tuna, marlin and broadbill swordfish.
“We are excited to be able to offer such an exclusive opportunity to our members and the community of Avalon,” stated the Catalina Island Museum’s Executive Director Dr. Michael De Marsche. “The preservation of island history is an important link between the museum and the Tuna Club, and we are honored to partner with them each year.”
The Tuna Club’s greatest legacy stems from its founder, Dr. Charles Frederick Holder. Holder became a pioneer in ocean conservation by coming up with the first regulations to govern big game angling and founded the club in 1898. Members to this day strictly adhere to the rules as dictated by Holder, and the club remains committed to ethical angling and preserving the sport’s great traditions. The Tuna Club’s illustrious history includes a number of famous anglers, such as British Prime Minister Winston Churchill, movie director Cecil B. DeMille, actors Charlie Chaplin, Bing Crosby and Stan Laurel, writer Zane Grey and United States Presidents Roosevelt and Hoover.
Tours will be offered at 1:00 pm, 2:00 pm, and 3:00 pm. Tickets are $30 for members of the museum and $35 for the general public. Rock Gosselin, lifelong fisherman, Avalon resident and longtime Tuna Club member, will conduct tours this year, sharing the unique history of the club and its role in the birth of sport fishing.
Don’t wait to purchase tickets. Only 60 tickets are available, and this tour always sells out quickly! For more information or to purchase tickets, the museum may be reached by phone at 310-510-2414 or at its website: CatalinaMuseum.org.
The Catalina Island Museum is Avalon’s sole institution devoted to art, culture and history. The museum, its digital theater and store are located on the ground floor of Avalon’s historic Casino and are open 7 days a week, from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. For more information, the museum may be reached by phone at 310-510-2414 or at its website: CatalinaMuseum.org.
