Title: Santa Susana Pass
Identifier: 14071- From the MVC Research Library Digitized Photographs
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Museum of Ventura County will be CLOSED May 12 – June 7 in preparation for new exhibits opening!
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BEHIND-THE-SCENES – Stories of Hearst Castle
Tuesday, June 3
11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
@Museum of Ventura County
100 E. Main Street., Ventura
Join MClub & Museum of Ventura County for an informative Lunch & Learn with Architectural historian Victoria Kastner. Kastner will share many behind-the-scenes stories about Hearst Castle at San Simeon— examining its buildings, gardens, swimming pools, and glamorous guests. She will also reveal new information about Julia Morgan—its talented architect—and Julia’s unique collaboration with her influential client, William Randolph Hearst.
Victoria Kastner was the official historian at Hearst Castle for nearly three decades. In addition to her new biography about its talented architect (Julia Morgan: An Intimate Biography of the Trailblazing Architect), she has also written three volumes chronicling its fascinating history: Hearst Castle: The Biography of a Country House; Hearst’s San Simeon: The Gardens and the Land; and Hearst Ranch: Family, Land, and Legacy. Ms. Kastner has a Master’s Degree in Public History with a specialty in architectural history from the University of California at Santa Barbara, and a Master’s Degree in Museum Management from George Washington University. She has also published works on the Beverly Hills Hotel, Bernard Maybeck’s Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco, and the novels of Charles Dickens.Purchase your tickets HERE. |
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Opening Reception – Picturing the Past, How Photography Tells Our Stories AND Moments of Rest: A Visual Sanctuary
Saturday, June 7
5 – 7 p.m.
@Museum of Ventura County
100 E. Main Street., Ventura
Join us for a historic evening celebrating the opening of two powerful new exhibitions at the Museum of Ventura County.
Picturing the Past, How Photography Tells Our Stories invites you to reflect on how we come to understand history. Photographs are among the many tools we use to piece together the past—capturing faces, places, and fleeting moments. But do they tell the whole story? This exhibition explores the evolving, interwoven nature of historical narratives and the role of photography in shaping what we remember.
Moments of Rest: A Visual Sanctuary offers a gentle counterbalance—an invitation to slow down. Featuring landscape paintings from the Museum’s permanent collection, this serene exhibition creates space for stillness and reflection. Let golden light, ocean waves, and imagined horizons help you pause, breathe, and recharge.
Enjoy hors d’oeuvres, a cash bar, and live folk music as you explore the galleries. Mingle with fellow art and history lovers and be among the first to experience these meaningful exhibitions. Free and open to the public. RSVP encouraged HERE. |
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New Art City Theatre: Festival ’25 – A “New Works” Playwright’s Festival
June 12 – 15, 2025
@Museum of Ventura County
Martin V. And Martha K. Smith Pavillion
100 E. Main Street., Ventura
New Art City Theatre, Ventura’s newest professional theatre company, presents their second annual festival of new works, Festival ’25, in the Martin V. And Martha K Smith Pavillion. Watch as a team of professional actors and directors bring to life four brand-new plays by playwrights from across the country, chosen from a field of 258 submissions. There will be two performances (matinee and evening) of a new play each day. See all four over the course of one weekend, June 12-15, 2025.Free and Open to the public. Seat Reservations required. Learn more and purchase your tickets HERE!
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Thursday, June 12 • 2 – 7 p.m.
TRIBECA
Welcome to the dog-eat-dog world of Manhattan preschool admissions.
CONTENT ALERT – For ages 15 & up.
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Friday, June 13 • 2 – 7 p.m.
TROUBLE DEAF HEAVEN
In this gothic tale of quiet rebellion, true and tender friendship saves an embittered young woman.
CONTENT ALERT – For ages 16 & up.
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Saturday, June 14 • 2 – 7 p.m.
TWO-MAN RULE
The Twilight Zone meets War Games in this psychological thriller.
CONTENT ALERT – For ages 15 & up.
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Saturday, June 14th • 5 p.m. BONUS!
HIS GIRL FRIDAY in Concert
A concert showcasing much from brand-new, swing-era musical -comedy. Fun, fast-paced and full of tap-dancing.
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Sunday, June 15 • 2 – 5 p.m.
THE APPLIANCE DEPARTMENT
This sci-fi fantasy asks, “when does something become someone?”.
CONTENT ALERT – For ages 14 & up.
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Play Date in the Garden
Friday, June 13
2 – 4 p.m.
@Agriculture Museum
926 Railroad Ave, Santa Paula
Join us for a free “Play Date in the Garden” with the Isabella Project and Child Development Resources (CDR) of Ventura County! This outdoor event is perfect for children ages 4 to 8 and features fun, engaging activities in a beautiful garden setting. While kids play and explore, parents and caregivers can connect with early childhood resources and learn about programs that support families across Ventura County. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Registration is preferred to help us plan a fun and welcoming event for everyone. Come grow, play, and learn together in the garden! Register freeHERE. |
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Opening June 7 – Picturing the Past: How Photography Tells Our Stories
How do we truly know what happened in the past? History is a collection of stories—interwoven, evolving, and shaped by the evidence left behind. Photographs are one of the many tools that help us understand the past, capturing faces, places, and moments frozen in time. But do they always tell the full story?
This engaging exhibition explores the power of photography to record our history. Through images, artifacts, and interactive displays, visitors will discover how historians use photographs to uncover hidden narratives, challenge assumptions, and bring history to life. Join us in exploring the early history of photography in Ventura County, how photos shape our understanding of the past, and how the photos we take today tell tomorrow’s story. More information HERE! |
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Opening June 7 – Moments of Rest: A Visual Sanctuary
Rest is not a luxury—it is essential. In a world that glorifies busyness, art offers a space for stillness and reflection.
This serene exhibition invites you to slow down and experience rest through landscape paintings from the Museum of Ventura County’s permanent collection. Let the calming ocean waves, the golden valley light, and the dreamy haze of imagined horizons create a moment of peace.
Take a breath. Absorb the beauty. Allow yourself to simply be.?Moments of Rest?is your invitation to pause, reflect, and recharge. More information HERE! |
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| As we prepare to welcome Ivor Davis back to MVC, take a look back at some of his past interviews and stories. Don’t miss the exciting debut discussion between Ivor and Paul Harris on April 17!
Get your tickets to the upcoming event HERE. |
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| Check out the latest MVC Then blog, Ventura County’s Brush with the Tail of the Comet by Library Docent Volunteer, Andy Ludlum.
“Even after 76 years, John Doughty’s memories as an 8-year-old in 1910 were as clear as if it were yesterday.”
Explore the local legacy of Halley’s Comet on the MVC THEN Blog. |
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| Engage with MVC on Instagram, where you will find our latest news, recaps, incredible artifacts, reels, historical photos, and art from our collections! Visit our Instagram HERE.
Want to follow along on other social media platforms? Check out @museumofventuracounty on FB, TikTok, YouTube, and X. |
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Exhibitions
AGRICULTURE MUSEUM
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Enfoque: Voces Indígenas Mexicanas del Condado de Ventura
(In Focus: Mexican Indigenous Voices of Ventura County)
Únase a nosotros en el Museo de la Agricultura para la inauguración de esta esperada exposición que muestra más de 40 retratos fotográficos del fotógrafo de fama internacional Diego Huerta. Estos retratos destacan las vibrantes y resistentes comunidades indígenas mexicanas del condado de Ventura. Para más detalles sobre la exposición, haga clic AQUÍ.
Join us at the Agriculture Museum for this highly anticipated exhibition showcasing over 40 photographic portraits by internationally acclaimed photographer Diego Huerta. These portraits highlight the vibrant and resilient Mexican Indigenous communities of Ventura County. For exhibition details, click HERE.
This exhibition is made possible with the support of Hofer Properties and Ventura Auto Center, the Busch Family Foundation, Oxnard Performing Arts Center, Gabriella Navarro-Busch and Peter Busch, and Vida Newspaper.
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The Farm to Market Children’s Hands-On Exhibition
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.
Special thanks to Santa Paula’s former mayor, Carlos Juarez, for building our fun-filled market.
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THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!
Major funding for the programs at the Museum of Ventura County is made possible by City of Camarillo, City of Fillmore, City of Moorpark, City of Ojai, City of Oxnard, City of Port Hueneme, City of Santa Paula, City of Simi Valley, City of Thousand Oaks, City of Ventura, and the County of Ventura.
Thank you to our event sponsors: TOLD Corporation, William and Elise Kearney, Ventura County Community College District, EJ Harrison & Sons, Hofer Properties, Jennifer and David Fukutomi, Montecito Bank & Trust, Pierpont Racquet Club and Nancy and Spencer Garrett, Kirby Subaru of Ventura, Ventura Spirits, Al and Petra Lowe, Jill and Edward Banman, Limoneira, Marie Callender’s, Puretec Industrial Water, Amigo Party Rentals, In the Mix Events, and Peirano’s.
Make a difference in YOUR community by donating to MVC today.
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Museum of Ventura County • 100 East Main St. Ventura, CA 93001 • 805.653.0323
Agriculture Museum • 926 Railroad Ave. Santa Paula, CA 93060 • 805.525.3100
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