Museum of Ventura County — Did somebody say “free”?

Going Wild
Opening Reception
Saturday, August 27th from 3-5pm
at the Museum of Ventura County
Free
Melina Sempill Watts’ first novel Tree is an exploration of 229 years through the point of view of a California oak. Artist Jeff Sojka painted his vision of the tree’s reality. This cross media exhibit, on-site and virtually, will expand your relationship to nature and its inherent consciousness.
Click here to learn more.
Exhibit opens Friday, August 26 and runs through October 2. The exhibit is held in tandem with an event series.
Made possible in part by
ArtsVentura
Story Time at the Museum
Friday, Sep. 2nd from 3-4pm
at the Museum of Ventura County
Free
The Museum of Ventura County has partnered with the Ventura County Library to bring bilingual (in English and Spanish) in-person Story Time every first Friday of the month at 3pm. Join us for stories, then play and learn in the Evelyn and Howard Boroughs Chumash Children’s Garden, a fabulous and FREE
outing for ALL!
The 8th Annual Labor Day Vintage Tractor Fair
Monday, Sep. 5th from 11am-2pm
at the Agriculture Museum
Free
Celebrate iconic hallmarks of Ventura County’s agricultural heritage at this popular and free public event. Enjoy a vintage tractor display by the Topa Topa Flywheelers, music by Illunis, a petting zoo, kids’ crafts & carnival games, a plant giveaway by UC Master Gardeners, food trucks, and more.
The Museum of Ventura County offers a docent-led tour focusing on Chumash history and culture for third-graders. The Agriculture Museum offers inspiring, interactive learning activities focused on second-grade curriculum that cultivate an appreciation for Ventura County’s agricultural heritage.
Click here to learn more.
Education programs made possible in part by generous funding from:
Charles D. & Mary A. Bauer Foundation,
Bonita C. McFarland
Martin V. & Martha K. Smith Foundation, and
Smith-Hobson Foundation Fund
The Boutique @ MVC is open Thursday—Sunday from 11am to 5pm.
Giraffe Head Wall Mount
by Fiona Walker
$90
Lovingly hand made and crafted from organic wool. You won’t find another wall decal exactly like it.
Fiona designs her products from her studio in Berkshire, England. They are then carefully handcrafted by a wonderful team of ladies in Jaipur, India. All items are ethically produced and manufactured employing the principles of fair trade.
MVC Then:
When Cars Came
to Ventura County
In this month’s Journal Flashback we continue with “In the Curl: The Evolution of Surfing in Ventura County.” Last month we learned about the introduction of surfing to Southern California. Part 2 features local surfers, their fondest memories of learning to surf, and how surfing has changed over the years.
Click here to read more.
Digital Jigsaw Puzzles:
Recreation
Summertime reminds us to get outdoors and have some fun! Of course, in Ventura County you can get outdoors anytime–to the many beaches and beautiful mountains in nearly perfect weather year round. Enjoy these scenes of folks horseback riding, attending the Ventura County Fair, beachgoing, and fishing, all in our own backyard!
Click here to enjoy!
Brought to you in part by the
generous support of
Ellen Brokaw and
Al Lowe Construction
Journal Flashback:
Part 2 of “In the Curl:
The Evolution of Surfing
in Ventura County”
In this month’s Journal Flashback we continue with “In the Curl: The Evolution of Surfing in Ventura County.” Last month we learned about the introduction of surfing to Southern California. Part 2 features local surfers, their fondest memories of learning to surf, and how surfing has changed over the years.
Click here to read more.
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.
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
Always Keep Creating:
The Resiliency of Carol Rosenak
Renowned local artist Carol Rosenak (1925-2002) was known for her still life paintings featuring exquisite textures and intricate details. Spanning over 30 years of her career, this exhibit highlights her early printmaking, still lifes, and the abstract style she adopted later in life.
This exhibit made possible in part by the generous support of:
The Bonita McFarland
Endowment Fund
Behind the Curtain:
An Insider’s Look at The George Stuart Historical Figures®
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. Learn more here.
Funding provided by the
Fred W. Smith Gallery Fund
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 Season 3 of
MVC Insider!
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:
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