View of Central Avenue in Fillmore on a rainy day. Identifier 8882 – From the MVC Research Library Digitized Photographs

MVC Programs

Ivor Davis: Up Close and Personal with The Beatles

Thursday, January 25

6:30 pm – 8:00 pm

@Museum of Ventura County

100 E. Main St., Ventura

Ventura County author and journalist Ivor Davis had a front row, eyewitness seat as The Beatles revolution unfolded in all its gory detail. He travelled with them, ate with them, drank with them, and reveals the behind-the-scenes story of what unfolded from sea to shining sea in his 60th anniversary “Beatles and Me on Tour” book. Doors open at 6 pm for refreshments. Those who are not able to join in-person are invited to view via Zoom. Registration is free for members at the Individual/Family level and higher, $10 non-members, $5 non-members Zoom. Registration and information can be found HERE.

Zine Lab

Friday, February 2

4:00 pm – 6:00 pm

@Museum of Ventura County

100 E. Main St., Ventura

Unleash your creativity at the Museum of Ventura County’s Zine Lab! Join us for a unique community gathering where the vibrant worlds of art, expression, and advocacy collide. Dive into the rich resources of the Museum’s library, channeling inspiration from Ventura County’s diverse heritage. Unearth your passions and transform them into powerful, pocket-sized publications – zines! This hands-on experience invites you to craft visually compelling narratives around issues close to your heart. From social justice to personal stories, your voice matters. Don’t miss this empowering opportunity to amplify community voices! Registration and information can be found HERE.

6 Generations 200 Years Later

Saturday, February 17

1:00 pm – 3:00 pm

@Museum of Ventura County

100 E. Main St., Ventura

Join us for a screening of “6 Generations,” followed by an insightful Q&A session with Chumash elder Ernestine Ygnacio-De Soto and Professor Kristina Foss. There will also be a curated display on the 1824 Chumash Revolt, offering a glimpse into a pivotal moment in Chumash history.

Discover the untold stories, triumphs, and challenges that have shaped the shared heritage of the Chumash people. Cost: $10 non-members, free for members at individual/family level or higher. Includes admission to the Museum. Made possible, in part, by the Bauer Foundation. Click HERE for more information and to register.

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 seasoned 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!

MVC NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS

2024 Changes in Admission Policy

You’re invited to explore membership options!

As we look ahead to the new year, the Museum of Ventura County, Downtown Ventura location, will undergo a transition in its admission policy beginning February 1, 2024. The grant that has sustained free admission will conclude, necessitating a shift to a sustainable funding model.

Starting February 1, 2024, the Museum of Ventura County, Downtown Ventura, will implement the following admission fees: $10 for adults, $5 for students & seniors, and free for those under 18 years of age. To avoid reinstated admission fees, please explore our exclusive, affordable membership packages! Join us as we embrace this new chapter together. ? Thank you for your continued support. Find out more HERE.

MVC Bonita C. McFarland Visual Arts Scholarships

Open through April 7!

The Museum of Ventura County is now accepting applications for its Bonita C. McFarland Visual Arts Scholarship! The deadline to apply is April 7, 2024. Fueling artistic dreams, MVC’s Bonita C. McFarland Scholarship empowers Ventura County’s emerging artists. It’s not just a scholarship, it’s a voice amplifier, paving the way for a vibrant, art-rich future for our community. Click HERE for more information and application.

Exhibits

MUSEUM OF VENTURA COUNTY

George Stuart Historical Figures® Exhibit, “Winter”

Welcome to “Winter,” our current exhibition of the George Stuart Historical Figures®. Delving into the enchanting world of winter, the exhibition explores the myriad ways in which people have sought to make the most of this season. Winter is the time of year when the days are shortest, and the nights are long and cold, affecting both our bodies and our moods. In response to the challenges of winter, people across the globe have crafted annual traditions to create their own warmth and find connection.

Join us on a global journey through the art of George Stuart Historical Figures® as we uncover the diverse winter symbolism, customs, and celebrations that tether us to nature and, more importantly, to each other. For more information, click HERE.

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

California Lutheran University present webcast:

Bridging Our Divides with Professor john a. powell

In this webcast on Tuesday, January 30th at 6 pm, professor john a. powell (lowercase spelling intentional) will be interviewed by Episcopal Bishop Marc Andrus and Dr. Paloma Pavel. powel is an internationally recognized social innovator in the areas of civil rights, structural racism, housing, poverty and democracy and director of the Othering & Belonging Institute at UC Berkeley, a research and practice institute that brings together scholars, community advocates, communicators and policymakers to identify and eliminate the barriers to an inclusive, just, and sustainable society and to create transformative change toward a more equitable world. His recent book is Racing to Justice: Transforming our Concepts of Self and Other to Build an Inclusive Society. More information HERE.