San Buenaventura Mission Garden with bell tower in background, 1902. Identifier – 7787 From the MVC Research Library Digitized Photographs.

NEW EXHIBIT ANNOUNCEMENT!

George Stuart Historical Figures® Exhibit, Napoleon: Revolution, Romance, and Rivalries

Opens Thursday, February 22

11:00 am – 5:00 pm

@Museum of Ventura County

Explore the complex life of Napoleon Bonaparte in a new exhibition of George Stuart Historical Figures®. As a charismatic leader, military strategist, and political figure, Napoleon rose to power during the tumultuous aftermath of the French Revolution. Immerse yourself in his journey, from the forces that propelled him to prominence, his marriages, and his entwined destinies with other global leaders. Through George Stuart’s intricate creations, experience Napoleon Bonaparte’s significant impact on the course of history.

MVC PROGRAMS

Garden Guardians: 2nd Annual

UC Master Gardener Open House

Saturday, February 24

11:00 am – 2:00 pm

@Agriculture Museum

926 Railroad Ave., Santa Paula

Visit the Ag Museum’s beloved Pidduck Garden for our annual showcase of the thriving partnership between MVC and the Ventura County UC Master Gardener program. We welcome all visitors, whether you are a family with young children who like to get their hands dirty, a budding or experienced home gardener, or just someone curious about how we grow food in this community. Come gather in the garden and discover something new! To find out more about the day’s events click HERE!

Strong & Resilient Women of Rancho Guadalsca – Book Talk

Sunday, March 3

2:00 pm – 4:00 pm

@Museum of Ventura County

100 E. Main St., Ventura

Join us for a captivating book talk on “Rancho Guadalasca: Last Ranch of California’s Central Coast” by Colleen M. Delaney. As a professor of anthropological archaeology at California State University-Channel Islands, Delaney skillfully unravels the untold stories of the resilient women who shaped this historical ranch. This book talk promises an insightful journey into the heart of Rancho Guadalasca, celebrating the enduring spirit of the women who played a pivotal role in shaping the region’s history. For more information and free registration click HERE!

NOWRUZ

Saturday, March 23

11:00 am – 2:00 pm

@Museum of Ventura County

100 E. Main St., Ventura

Celebrate Nowruz at the Museum of Ventura County! Enjoy Persian cuisine by Safir Catering, traditional dance by Sahlala Dancers, and live music by Illunis Music. Experience Farsi Calligraphy, cultural displays, and the thrilling Fire Jumping ritual. Join us for a day of cultural splendor, delicious cuisine, and lively entertainment! Free, no registration needed. For more information, click HERE.

Exhibits

MUSEUM OF VENTURA COUNTY

Spin Cycle: Unfolding the

Science of Laundry

Everybody’s clothes get dirty, so we all must deal with the dreaded laundry. Through the years people have tried different ways to clean their clothes, and now we have the science to explain why some of those methods actually work!

Using 19th and early 20th century laundry items from MVC’s historical collection, visitors will learn about the “how” and “who” behind everyone’s least favorite chore. Let’s explore how our everyday world works together.

This exhibit is made possible by the

Ventura County Credit Union

Proximity to Water: Works from MVC’s Permanent Collection

Come be inspired by the ever-changing coast captured by our regional artists.

From plein air painting to photography, the mutable coast provides an endless supply of inspiration. Art helps us admire, respect, and revere our region, reminding us of our own place in the natural world. Proximity means a closeness in space, time, or relationship. These artworks from the Museum’s permanent collection bring us closer to the water, both visually and in feeling.

This exhibit is made possible by the Esther and Thomas Wachtell Family Fund, the Paul and Anne Leavens Family Fund and the Bonita C. McFarland Fund

The Murder of Tom More:

A True Crime Story

In the early hours of March 24th 1877, a mob of angry settlers set fire to Thomas More’s barn and shot him at least 10 times. Motivated by a passionate battle over land ownership and water rights turned deadly, news of his murder rippled through California.

Amid the rubble of lies, perjuries, briberies, and omissions in the historical record, there are mysteries regarding his death that remain forever unsolved. His story stands today as a warning about the strong emotions unleashed over our limited natural resources.

This exhibit is made possible by

the John Hammer Family

Exhibits

AGRICULTURE MUSEUM

Ventura County, The Place

We Call Home – A

Community Experience

The Museum of Ventura County (MVC) celebrates the County’s 150th anniversary with Ventura County, The Place We Call Home – A Community Experience that highlights the diversity of our communities by featuring different interpretations of Ventura County as ‘Home.’ Some people perceive home as a physical place where they grew up. For others, family and those they share their lives with are what make them ‘feel at home.’ The taste of food, beloved objects, and fond memories are other ways that people define what home means to them. Explore these concepts, and find out more about the exhibit HERE.

Co-presented by the County of Ventura and Ventura County Community Foundation.

 This exhibit made possible by California Humanities, the City of Santa Paula,

the City of Simi Valley, Harrison Industries, Limoneira, Meissner,

the Port of Hueneme, TOLD Corporation, Ventura County Credit Union,

Ventura County Community College District, and many more.

Exhibits From the

Smithsonian Gardens:

Pollination Investigation –

The Essential Role of Pollinators in the Natural World

Nearly 90% of flowering plants rely on approximately 200,000 species of pollinators for fertilization. Explore the essential role pollinators play in the natural world in the Smithsonian poster exhibition, Pollination Investigation.

Through “pollinator profiles” visitors can learn about different pollinators—from butterflies and hummingbirds to bats and the wind—and their favorite flowers based on floral characteristics like flower shape, color, scent, and more. The set of 14 posters is bilingual (Spanish and English) and designed to educate and inspire people to explore the natural world looking at flowers and insects. Learn more HERE.

The Farm to Market Children’s Hands-On Exhibit

An interactive exhibit promoting healthy lifestyles through role-play, the Ag Market is an immersive environment where children and families identify healthy food choices in a fun, market-like atmosphere.

Learn more about what the Agriculture Museum has to offer HERE.

Special thanks to Santa Paula’s former mayor, Carlos Juarez for volunteering his time in

building our fun-filled market.

Explore More Exclusive

MVC ONLINE CONTENT

MVC RECOMMENDS

Hammer Museum presents:

Only the Young: Experimental Art in Korea, 1960s–1970s

Following the successful presentation at the Guggenheim Museum in New York, see the West Coast premiere of Only The Young: Experimental Art in Korea,1960s–1970s, on view from February 11–May 12. This exhibition gives unprecedented insight into a vibrant moment after the Korean War when Korean artists rebelled against artistic limits, embracing bold and provocative practices. Deemed a “must-see” by Artnet and hailed as “unforgettable” by The New York Times, visit and discover it firsthand! More information HERE.