At the end of the Manhattan Beach Pier stands a small, round building—simple in shape but extraordinary in spirit. The Roundhouse Aquarium is more than a charming piece of architecture; it’s a community jewel where the Pacific speaks to children, families and visitors from all walks of life.
Inside, little hands reach into tide pools, eyes widen at the dance of jellyfish, and lives quietly change. What many don’t realize is that this beloved space now carries within it a story of love—and has become a place where magic happens every day.
In 2015 that story gained new depth when Harrison Greenberg, a Manhattan Beach native who loved the ocean and science, tragically passed away at age 19. In the face of unimaginable loss, his parents, Wendy and Michael Greenberg, turned their grief into purpose.
“We wanted to do something wonderful in the community to honor our son and memorialize him, and also do something amazing for the community,” Michael says. “And we wanted to do something special on behalf of the Roundhouse.”
The Greenbergs, through the Harrison Greenberg Foundation, joined forces with the city of Manhattan Beach, Oceanographic Teaching Stations, Inc. (OTS) and local citizens to launch the Roundhouse Aquarium Beautification Project—a collaborative community effort that would transform the historic aquarium into a modern marine science education center.
The result, unveiled in 2018, reimagined the Roundhouse with immersive exhibits, touch tanks and cutting-edge educational programs. It remained free and open to the public, just as Harrison would have wanted. Today the Roundhouse welcomes more than 220,000 visitors annually, offering hands-on marine science experiences to over 20,000 students each year.
Harrison loved the ocean. He loved science. And as a child he loved the Roundhouse Aquarium. His mother Wendy recalls him marching down the pier one year to the little aquarium perched above the sea.
“The kids were enamored with the touch tanks because the experience was so tactile and ‘hands on,’” Wendy shares. “The tanks were an annual rite of passage where one boy and one girl were selected to kiss the sea cucumber. And when it was Harrison’s year, he was the boy who kissed the sea cucumber.”
Thanks to ongoing support from donors and volunteers, the Roundhouse has been able to expand access and outreach, particularly to students from Title I and underserved schools. In 2024 alone over 10,000 of the students served came from low-income communities. Through traveling aquariums, virtual programs and field trips funded by donor dollars, students from Los Angeles and beyond—many visiting the beach for the first time—are discovering the world beneath the waves.
Executive director Grace Adams emphasizes the broader vision. “The ocean belongs to everyone, and the responsibility to protect it is shared by us all. Every small action, every educational opportunity brings us closer to a future where the ocean thrives.”
That mission was on full display at Splash, the Roundhouse Aquarium’s annual fundraising gala. Held on May 1 at the home of philanthropist and founding donor Ted Schwartz, this year’s event drew nearly 200 guests and raised vital funds to support the aquarium’s educational and outreach programs. Hosted by sports broadcaster Jaime Maggio and featuring special guest Jim Harbaugh, head coach of the Los Angeles Chargers, the evening buzzed with energy and generosity.
Notable attendees included Sugar Ray Leonard, Howie Mandel, Rickea Jackson, Brad Williams and Denise Austin, all showing up to champion ocean education and access for all. A touching moment came when Ted was presented with the Harrison Greenberg Legacy Award, honoring his longtime support and commitment to the Roundhouse’s mission. As a founding donor, he has exemplified the spirit of giving that fuels the aquarium’s success.
“The Splash event is a wonderful reminder of the incredible spirit of our South Bay community—people coming together to support something truly meaningful,” says Robin Curren, executive director of the Harrison Greenberg Memorial Foundation. “As a fundraiser for the Roundhouse Aquarium, it highlights how important it is for us to help one another and invest in our local treasures. The South Bay is a special place because of its caring residents who believe in making a positive impact. Events like this not only raise vital funds but also strengthen bonds that make our community so resilient and inspiring.”
Volunteers remain a vital part of that impact, contributing thousands of hours each year through beach cleanups, educational support and outreach. “I love volunteering at the aquarium because it brings me pure joy,” says a team member, “mostly because of the joy I see in others when they come in.”
As much as the Roundhouse honors Harrison’s legacy, it also represents a collective achievement. “This was a community project,” emphasizes Michael. “We couldn’t have built this aquarium without the support of everyone—the city, the citizens of Manhattan Beach, OTS and the foundation. The Roundhouse belongs to the people of the South Bay, not to any one group.”
Today the Roundhouse is a thriving center of environmental education and a symbol of inclusivity. Children from across Los Angeles County are not only learning about ocean ecosystems—they’re becoming stewards of the planet. In honoring Harrison, the community has built something that transcends loss: a place of healing, joy and connection.
Wendy gracefully echoed that sentiment in her speech at the Splash event. “Here we are 10 years later after losing our Harrison. We continue to embrace this precious Manhattan Beach Roundhouse in honor of him. This state-of-the-art little aquarium has the integrity of a large marine exhibit—a true treasure to the South Bay and to our community in Manhattan Beach at the end of the pier, our special little haven for all of us to enjoy.”
And that haven continues to change lives. To learn more about the Roundhouse Aquarium and the work of Oceanographic Teaching Stations, Inc., visit roundhouseaquarium.org.
