Corbin Carson Reports: An Empty Museum

Catalina Island is known for many things - its amazing beaches, the unparalleled snorkeling and of course, the bison who call it their home. But after health orders brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, people also lost out on learning about the island's rich and storied history.

Catalina Island Museum Executive Director Julie Perline-Lee says thankfully tourists are returning because COVID had been incredibly destructive to them.

"It was real touch-and-go there. Most of our community had lost their jobs because we are a tourist-based industry," Perline-Lee said. "We had all our eggs in one basket."

Exhibits at the museum not only include a history of the island, but also an in-depth look at the Titanic.

"We had no admission through the door, cancelled all our events, no one was able to rent the facility," Perline-Lee said. "Unfortunately we did have to let most of our staff go, but we were able to put a lot of content online - virtual programming like a lot of other museums have done."

In part six of the Catalina Island COVID-19 Comeback Series, KFI’s Corbin Carson looks at the history of the island which has been inhabited for thousands of years. Listen to the full report here:

Photos: Corbin Carson