The Long Beach that many people know today is because of the work and dedication of former Mayor Beverly O’Neill, city leaders said this week — which is why her legacy is worth highlighting.
The life, career and legacy of O’Neill — the only mayor in Long Beach history to serve three terms and the only woman elected to the office in a citywide election — is the subject of a new exhibit that has opened at the local historical society. The new exhibit, “The Honorable Beverly O’Neill Exhibition,” features artifacts, documents and images detailing her story.
O’Neill was born in Long Beach and is a product of the city’s public school system. She attended Poly High School and was one of the first graduates at Cal State Long Beach.
She had a 31-year career at Long Beach City College as a music instructor and women’s advisor, advancing to campus dean and rising to superintendent-president, according to her biography. After her time at LBCC, she decided to continue serving Long Beach — by running for mayor.
O’Neill was first elected in 1994. During her three-term tenure, she helped make an impact on the city’s economy, diversifying it through a mix of international trade, tourism, emerging technologies and expanding retail after the closure of the Long Beach Naval Complex.
She made an impact on the national level as well, serving as the president of the U.S. Conference of Mayors from 2005 to 2006.
The new exhibit — now on display at the Historical Society, 4260 Atlantic Ave. — dives into more detail about the mayor’s life and leadership. There are also interpretive panels in the exhibit, which will be placed at City Hall, Long Beach City College and during this year’s U.S. Conference of Mayors, which will take place in Long Beach next month.
The Honorable Beverly O’Neill Legacy Exhibition on display at the City Hall lobby on Tuesday, May 19, 2026. (Photo by Christina Merino, Press-Telegram)
The Honorable Beverly O’Neill Legacy Exhibition on display at the City Hall lobby on Tuesday, May 19, 2026. (Photo by Christina Merino, Press-Telegram)
Mayor Rex Richardson spoke during the reception for the Honorable Beverly O’Neill Legacy Exhibition at City Hall on Tuesday, May 19, 2026. (Photo by Christina Merino, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
Harry Saltzgaver, former executive editor of the Grunion Gazette Newspaper, spoke during the reception for the Honorable Beverly O’Neill Legacy Exhibition at City Hall on Tuesday, May 19, 2026. (Photo by Christina Merino, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
Julie Bartolotto, executive director of the Historical Society of Long Beach, spoke during the reception for the Honorable Beverly O’Neill Legacy Exhibition at City Hall on Tuesday, May 19, 2026. (Photo by Christina Merino, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
Mayor Rex Richardson handing flowers to former Mayor Beverly O’Neill’s daughter, Teresa, and her husband, Terrence, during the reception for the Honorable Beverly O’Neill Legacy Exhibition at City Hall on Tuesday, May 19, 2026. (Photo by Christina Merino, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
Long Beach celebrated the Honorable Beverly O’Neill Legacy Exhibition with a reception at City Hall on Tuesday, May 19, 2026. (Photo by Christina Merino, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
The Honorable Beverly O’Neill Legacy Exhibition on display at the City Hall lobby on Tuesday, May 19, 2026. (Photo by Christina Merino, Press-Telegram)
The Honorable Beverly O’Neill Legacy Exhibition on display at the City Hall lobby on Tuesday, May 19, 2026. (Photo by Christina Merino, Press-Telegram)
Long Beach celebrated the Honorable Beverly O’Neill Legacy Exhibition with a reception at City Hall on Tuesday, May 19, 2026. (Photo by Christina Merino, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
Harry Saltzgaver, former executive editor of the Grunion Gazette Newspaper, spoke during the reception for the Honorable Beverly O’Neill Legacy Exhibition at City Hall on Tuesday, May 19, 2026. (Photo by Christina Merino, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
The Honorable Beverly O’Neill Legacy Exhibition on display at the City Hall lobby on Tuesday, May 19, 2026. (Photo by Christina Merino, Press-Telegram)
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The Honorable Beverly O’Neill Legacy Exhibition on display at the City Hall lobby on Tuesday, May 19, 2026. (Photo by Christina Merino, Press-Telegram)
“We are recognizing a really legendary mayor in the city of Long Beach,” Mayor Rex Richardson said, “(one) who was a trailblazer, a national leader and who got us through some pretty tumultuous times.”
Richardson’s remarks came during a Tuesday, May 19, reception at City Hall to celebrate the official debut of the exhibit. Among the attendees were city officials, community members and people who personally know O’Neill, such as her chief of staff, Cathy Wieder; and the former mayor’s family, including daughter Teresa O’Neill, son-in-law Terrence McNally and grandson Nolan Boomer.
“During her time as mayor, she pushed through many difficult and sometimes controversial policies by getting the support of council members beforehand,” said Harry Saltzgaver, former executive editor of the Grunion Gazette (which is part of the Southern California News Group). “More than once, she managed that by giving (the council) the credit for the idea. She told me that she didn’t care who got the credit for something, as long as it was good for the city and it got done.”
Saltzgaver is the author of “Passionately Positive: The Beverly O’Neill Story” — and a friend of the former mayor.
“Beverly showed us all how we can all be passionately positive,” Saltzgaver said. “That’s a legacy for the ages.”
The exhibit was made possible by O’Neill and her family, the Port of Long Beach, the Temple Family Charitable Foundation and many other supporters, said Julie Bartolotto, executive director of the Historical Society.
“The exhibition is on display at the Historical Society, and there you can see original artifacts and documents and items of clothing,” Bartolotto said, “including signature scarves from Mayor O’Neill.”
The younger O’Neill wrote a few words about her mother that she had her husband read to the crowd on her behalf on Tuesday.
“Being mayor wasn’t her job; it was her calling,” her daughter wrote. “My mother is 95 years old now, and cannot be part of these festivities but she would be so proud and embarrassed. She would say, ‘Oh, come on, you guys.’ So, let’s embarrass her, come on, you guys, let’s hear it for the very special Beverly O’Neill.”
The audience obliged — cheering and clapping for O’Neill.
The Historical Society of Long Beach is open from 1 to 5 p.m. Tuesday to Friday and from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday for those who would like to visit the exhibit. More information is available at hslb.org.