OXNARD — In an era before high-speed travel and instantaneous communication, separation and longing were an ever-present reality for the men, women and children of both maritime and wartime communities. Through the display of original artifacts and correspondence, Channel Islands Maritime Museum’s newest exhibit, Love Letters Home, explores the common themes found in letters sent home by sailors in the past and today: loneliness, separation, hardship and endurance.
“The words, keepsakes and artwork presented in this beautiful exhibit truly touch the heart and take you back to a time when hearing from a loved one could take days, months, or even years,” said Kate Crouse, CIMM’s collections manager and curator.
Included in the exhibit is a unique collection of “trench art” and artifacts from the US Navy Seabees, who celebrate their 75th anniversary in March 2017, as well as a fascinating collection of letters written by Donald Brug, a Ventura native who was enlisted in the Army during the 1950s and later sailed around the world.
Located in Oxnard’s Channel Islands Harbor at 3900 Bluefin Circle, the exhibit will be on display beginning Jan. 2 through March 26, 2017, with an opening reception Jan. 25 from 5-7 p.m. The reception is open to the public; members are free and non-members are $7 for adults, $5 seniors/students/active military, $3 children (ages 6-17); free for children under 6. For more information, visit cimmvc.org or call (805) 984.6260.
About the Channel Islands Maritime Museum: The Channel Islands Maritime Museum is open Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.; Sundays from noon – 4 p.m.; Tuesdays and Wednesdays are open for reserved group tours and private member events. Located in Oxnard’s Channel Islands Harbor at 3900 Bluefin Circle, the museum offers galleries of rare and beautiful maritime paintings dating back to the 1600’s, more than 60 world-class models of historic ships, rotating thematic fine arts exhibitions and interactive exhibits that encourage visitors to expand their horizons about everything maritime. Museum entry is $7 adults, $5 seniors/students/active military, $3 children (ages 6-17), and free for members and children under 6. Info: cimmvc.org or (805) 984.6260.