Museum of Ventura County — Celebrate 5 years of the Ag Garden, upcoming events

Behind the Curtain:

An Insider’s Look at

The George Stuart Historical Figures®

New Set of Figures

Now On Display!

Visitors can now experience a new rotation of George Stuart Historical Figures®, each with a magnifying glass for an up-close look.

Each Figure in this exhibit shows the comprehensive historical research and artistic details behind its creation, such as the use of a goose egg for the Pope’s hat!

Made possible in part by the Fred W. Smith Gallery Fund and additional support from Bethe and Tim Sullivan in memory of Rosemarie Magness

Kathy Henri, left, performs clean-up work on the Mary Ann Todd Lincoln Figure before being placed on display.

Squatters, Scandals, and Surfing: History of Rincon

Saturday, February 25, 2023

3PM—4:30PM

@ Museum of Ventura County

Free Admission

Rincon Point is renowned as the Queen of the Coast and one of the premier surfing spots in the world. That is only a fragment of its rich history. It was the site of a scandalous love-triangle murder in the 1870s, a rickety highway on stilts in the 1910s, and a raunchy honky-tonk in the 1920s. But that’s not all.

Join us at the Museum of Ventura County on Saturday, February 25, 2023 from 3—4:30PM for a discussion with authors Stephen Bates and Vincent Burns. Their book, Rincon Point, uncovers the history of this famous and storied surf spot.

We’re giving away signed copies of Rincon Point to two MVC Members!

Join the Museum of Ventura County at any membership level by

February 25, 2023 for a

chance to win.

Finding the Light:

Works from MVC’s

Permanent Collection

Now Open

at the Museum of Ventura County

Finding the Light eexplores artists’ use light to not only influence shape and color, but also to impart deep meaning. The exhibit, featuring works by renowned and diverse regional artists including Guy Webster, Andrea Vargas, Henry Chapman Ford, and Susan Petty, is the first exhibit installed in the new Esther and Thomas Wachtell Family Gallery.

This gallery has been created through a generous endowment from the Esther and Thomas Wachtell Family Fund and is designed to showcase the Museum of Ventura County’s permanent collection.

Learn more about Finding the Lighthere.

Finding the Light is supported through the gifts of the

Bonita McFarland Fund

and Suzanne Chadwick.

Reading by California Poet Laureate

Lee Herrick

Sunday, February 12, 2023

11AM—1PM

@ The Agriculture Museum

Free Admission

Join us at the Agriculture Museum in Santa Paula on Sunday, February 12, 2023 from 11am—12:30pm for a special poetry reading and Q&A with the newly appointed California Poet Laureate, Lee Herrick. A former Fresno Poet Laureate (2015-17), Lee Herrick is the author of three books of poems: Scar and Flower, Gardening Secrets of the Dead, and This Many Miles from Desire.

UC Master Gardener Open House & 5th Year Anniversary Celebration

Saturday, February 18, 2023

11AM—1PM

@ The Agriculture Museum

Free Admission

Join us at the Agriculture Museum in Santa Paula on Saturday, February 18, 2023 from 11AM—1pm for a special Open House to celebrate the 5th Anniversary of our partnership with the UC Master Gardeners. Visitors will have the opportunity to take tours of the revitalized garden, participate in kid-friendly activities, and much more. Dr. James Downer, Ph.D. Environmental Horticulture/Plant Pathology Advisor, will speak at 12pm, followed by a tree unveiling and plant giveaway.

Alan Salazar

and Mona Lewis

Book Launch

“Coyote Rescues Hawk:

A Chumash Story”

Saturday, March 4, 2023

2PM—4PM

@ Museum of Ventura County

Children’s Garden

Free Admission

Join us at the Museum of Ventura County on Saturday, March 4 from 2—4pm in the Children’s Garden for a special book launch and reading by Alan Salazar and Mona Lewis. Books will be available for purchase. Admission is free!

The Museum of Ventura County and the Agriculture Museum in Santa Paula are open Thursday—Sunday from 11am to 5pm. Admission to both Museums is now FREE.

Finding the Light

Works from MVC’s Permanent Collection

Beyond influencing shape and color, artists use light to impart meaning to viewers. These works from MVC’s collection showcase how light can elicit emotion, tell stories, and convey meaning.

Finding the Light is supported through the gifts of:

Bonita McFarland Fund

Suzanne Chadwick

Behind the Curtain:

An Insider’s Look at

The George Stuart Historical Figures®

New Set of Figures

Now On Display!

People argue about whether the Figures are works of art, historical objects, or maybe something else entirely. Mr. Stuart himself objects to both the titles of Artist and Historian. Investigate each Figure closely so that you can decide for yourself.

Made possible in part by the Fred W. Smith Gallery Fund and additional support from Bethe and Tim Sullivan in memory of Rosemarie Magness

All That Glitters

Is Not Gold

A surprising history of the 1920s and Prohibition in Ventura County. As population and wealth boomed, creativity flourished – but so did a tide of repression and exclusion. This exhibit tells the local story of the jazz age through our collections and archives.
This exhibit made possible in part by the generous support of:
The John Hammer Family,
The Heritage Fund at VCCF,
The DeArkland Family, and
Chrisman Estate Co.

Chromatic:

The Museum in Six Colors

MVC’s permanent collection, amassed over 100 years, ranges from everyday items belonging to real people who lived and worked in the county, to rarities and precious works of art. Each object has a story to tell, and this exhibit opens the door to those stories.
This exhibit made possible in part by the generous support of:
and Pierpont Racquet Club

Tomols to Trains:

County Transportation

through the 1900s

at the Agriculture Museum in Santa Paula

Tomols to Trains explores how transportation played a role in Ventura County’s history. Visit the communities that struggled with the changes brought about by new modes of transportation.

See how towns and cities changed, how suburbs grew, and how our farms and other industries became part of regional, national, and international economies.

Learn more here.

Made possible by the

Heritage Fund at VCCF

Farm to Market

at the Agriculture Museum

in Santa Paula

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 market-like atmosphere.

Learn more about what the

Agriculture Museum has to offer here.

Special thanks to

Santa Paula’s Mayor Carlos Juarez for volunteering his time and

talent in building our

fun-filled indoor market

Watch our latest video series, Behind the Curtain: George Stuart Historical Figures®. A new episode drops every Tuesday @ 12pm through January 31, 2023.

Explore over a dozen virtual and 3D exhibits, including Nordic Myths & Legends, Huelga! Photographs from the Frontlines, California Cool, and more!
Engage with us on social media, where you’ll find our latest news and incredible artifacts, reels, and art from our collections!
Museum of Ventura County Business Club members are community leaders who are committed to the region’s history, art, and stories.
MVC thanks our current
for their support:

For more information about the MVC Business Club, please contact:

Tricia Murdoch

Director of Development

(805) 653-0323 Ext. 305

tmurdoch@venturamuseum.org

Major funding for these programs is made possible by the City of
San Buenaventura, the County of Ventura and private and community donors.
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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