A new exhibition to highlight and celebrate the contributions of labor throughout the history of the Port of Long Beach will open Tuesday, Aug. 27, presented by the Historical Society of Long Beach in partnership with the Port.
Debuting the week before Labor Day, “The Workers’ Harbor – How Labor Built and Shaped the Port of Long Beach” will be on display at the Port of Long Beach Administration Building in downtown Long Beach. This special exhibition brings together historical photos and artifacts to look at the people who made the ports of the San Pedro Bay possible: longshore workers, skilled tradespeople, mariners, Navy personnel and many more – the laborers who made the Port of Long Beach and keep cargo moving today.
“The San Pedro Bay would not be what it is today without the dedicated work of labor from all specialties,” said Port of Long Beach CEO Mario Cordero. “This exhibition is a look at how the Port of Long Beach was built by labor, and a great way to honor the legacies and history of Port workers.”
“We are appreciative of the Historical Society of Long Beach for putting together this beautiful exhibition,” said Bonnie Lowenthal, President of the Long Beach Board of Harbor Commissioners. “It is wonderful to take this deep dive into the history of labor in the San Pedro Bay; we are eternally grateful to every laborer, past and present, who has helped make the Port of Long Beach one of the nation’s most efficient and innovative trade gateways.”
“The story of workers in the harbor demonstrates the tremendous feat of transforming muddy tidelands into a global economic engine and a source of employment for generations of local residents,” said Julie Bartolotto, Executive Director of the Historical Society of Long Beach. “Partnerships like this one with the Port of Long Beach expand the reach of local history and the work of the Historical Society of Long Beach.”
The exhibition will be on display in the Port of Long Beach Administration Building Lobby, 415 W. Ocean Blvd., in the downtown Long Beach Civic Center, from Aug. 27 through Nov. 15, weekdays only from 7:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Entrance to the exhibit is free.
Find more information at polb.com/workersharbor.
The Port of Long Beach is a global leader in green port initiatives and top-notch customer service, moving cargo with reliability, speed and efficiency. As the premier U.S. gateway for trans-Pacific trade, the Port handles trade valued at $200 billion annually and supports 2.6 million jobs across the United States, including 575,000 in Southern California. In 2024, industry leaders named it “The Best West Coast Seaport in North America” for the sixth consecutive year. During the next 10 years, the Port is planning $2.3 billion in capital improvements aimed at enhancing capacity, competitiveness and sustainability.
The Historical Society of Long Beach collects, preserves, and presents local history. Through historical collections, exhibitions, and programs HSLB connects people to the past and to the place they live. HSLB presents an inclusive community narrative, and helps create greater understanding of our neighborhoods, the city, and its place in the larger world. www.hslb.org
