Wallis Annenberg Building

What is Wallis Annenberg Building?

The building began as the 160th Regiment State Armory, also called the Exposition Park Armory. It now carries the name of Wallis Annenberg and belongs to the California Science Center, where it is home to the Science Center School plus Amgen's Center for Science Learning.

History of Wallis Annenberg Building

J.W. Wollett designed the armory, which opened in 1912. Between the two world wars it was home to the 160th Infantry Regiment. In 1932 it staged the fencing events of the Summer Olympics, including fencing for the modern pentathlon, with seating for 1,800 spectators. Through the early and middle decades of the century it also doubled as an exhibition hall and ballroom.

The building kept changing. In 1947 it became a bowling alley and hosted an American Bowling Congress tournament, and later it was used for roller derby. The regiment moved out in 1961. During the 1960s the California State Colleges' board of trustees made it their headquarters, and from the 1960s into the 1980s the city's Museum of Science and Industry, forerunner of today's Science Center, used it for exhibits. Earthquake safety concerns closed it in 1990. Since 2004 it has been part of the California Science Center.

Visiting Wallis Annenberg Building: tips

The building is about 5.1 miles from the old road. Because it works as a school, most visitors will see it from outside; it is wheelchair accessible. A few minutes is enough for a look and a photo.

The California African American Museum is right next door, the California Science Center is about 0.2 miles away, and the USC Fisher Museum of Art is about 0.3 miles off.