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Title: Movie Making at Mugu, Circa 1938
Identifier: 10120 from the MVC Research Library Digitized Photographs
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Step into the glamour of the 1920s for an unforgettable evening of fine dining, vintage-inspired cocktails, entertainment, dancing, and philanthropy as we celebrate Ventura County’s remarkable role in the early days of filmmaking.
TASTE OF HISTORY 2026
Thursday, September 10
5:30 to 9:30 PM
Sherwood Country Club
Thousand Oaks, California
The evening will also feature the presentation of the Museum of Ventura County’s Lifetime Achievement Awards honoring:
Chuck Cohen & Joanie Young
for their extraordinary contributions to Ventura County and their lasting impact on our community.
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VIP CHAMPAGNE COACH
Leave the driving to us. A luxury motor coach will depart from the Museum of Ventura County at 4:30 PM and return guests following the gala, departing Sherwood Country Club at 9:30 PM. Enjoy complimentary champagne as you travel to and from the event in style. $25 per person. Advance reservations required. Reserve your transportation when purchasing your event tickets.
Thank you to our Taste of History 2026 sponsors:
Bill and Elise Kearney | Nancy and Spencer Garrett | David and Jennifer Fukutomi | Jane and Steve Goodall | Leslie Leavens and John Krist | Pat Miller and Elena Brokaw | Mike Sedell | American Riviera Bank | Busch Family Foundation | Montecito Bank & Trust | Ventura College Foundation | Al and Petra Lowe | FTI Services
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Summer Camp
FIVE DAYS OF DISCOVERY
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Chumash Summer Camp
Museum of Ventura County
100 E. Main Street, Ventura
Monday, July 13 to Friday, July 17
9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Ages 8 to 12
Chumash Summer Camp explores our local history in a fun and welcoming way. Each day blends play and creativity through traditional Chumash games, storytelling, art activities, and exploration of native plants. Campers will take home their own handcrafted projects inspired by Chumash teachings and culture. Guided by Chumash leaders and Museum educators, the camp sparks curiosity and encourages compassion through meaningful, hands-on experiences. Register with the City of Ventura Parks & Recreation. Click HERE. |
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July and August
FREE COMMUNITY EVENTS
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Saving the California Condor
Agriculture Museum
926 Railroad Ave, Santa Paula
Sunday, July 5
11:30 AM – 12:30 PM
Join Debbie Parisi, Board Member of Friends of California Condors Wild and Free, for a lecture on the inspiring comeback story of the California Condor. Kid-friendly. No live birds will be present. No registration is required for this free event. For full details, click HERE. |
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Emotional Textiles: Hope, Grief, and Existence
Museum of Ventura County
100 E. Main Street, Ventura
Sunday, July 19
11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Join us for a special workshop exploring the history and cultural significance of Filipina textiles and traditional clothing. Led by teaching artist Vanessa Murrow in partnership with Pinaysphere, participants will learn how textiles have shaped and reflected Filipina identity while creating their own artistic piece. Registration is required for this free event. For full details, click HERE. |
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An Introduction to Obon: A Japanese Summer Festival
Museum of Ventura County
100 E. Main Street, Ventura
Saturday, August 1
12:30 – 2:30 PM
Join us for An Introduction to Obon: A Japanese Summer Festival, a family-friendly celebration presented in partnership with the Oxnard Buddhist Temple. Learn about the Japanese tradition of Obon, a festival that honors ancestors through music, dance, and community gatherings. Registration is requested for this free event. For full details, click HERE. |
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Parallel Histories Lecture Series: History of Chumash Emancipation
Museum of Ventura County
100 E. Main Street, Ventura
Sunday, August 2
1:00 – 3:00 PM
Join us for the first program in our Parallel Histories Lecture Series: History of Chumash Emancipation. Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History Curator Emeritus of Anthropology Dr. John Johnson will present his research on the 1826 Chumash petition for emancipation from Mission San Buenaventura. Registration is requested for this free event. For full details, click HERE. |
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Photo Gallery
OPENING RECEPTION
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Thank you to everyone who joined us at the opening reception for Parallel Histories: Ventura County during the US Revolution and Patriotic Threads: Textiles, Tapestries, & T-Shirts. We were delighted to welcome guests for an evening of history, art, conversation, and community.
A special thank you to our opening reception sponsors, whose support helped create an unforgettable event: Moon Valley Nurseries, Peirano’s Catering, Oaks Event Rentals, Ventura Spirits, and Ventura Auto Center.
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Photos by Chris Ryan Photography, Oxnard.
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Exhibits
MUSEUM OF VENTURA COUNTY
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Parallel Histories: Ventura County during the US Revolution
Museum of Ventura County
100 E. Main Street, Ventura
As the US commemorates the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, Parallel Histories explores what was unfolding at the same time in Ventura County. Get more information HERE.
This exhibit is made possible by the generous support of The John and Glenda Hammer Family, The Heritage Fund at VCCF, and Amgen Foundation.
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Patriotic Threads: Textiles, Tapestries, & T-Shirts
Museum of Ventura County
100 E. Main Street, Ventura
Patriotic Threads explores how textiles have long served as powerful expressions of national identity. Through handcrafted works, the exhibit reveals how textiles and design embody patriotism and collective memory. Get more information HERE.
This exhibit is made possible by the generous support of the Tom and Esther Wachtell Family Fund.
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Museum of Ventura County
100 E. Main Street, Ventura
This exhibit of George Stuart Historical Figures® shows the life of Abraham Lincoln as he overcame challenges and became a President who defended many core values of America’s democracy and helped end slavery. Get more information HERE.
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Exhibits
AGRICULTURE MUSEUM
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In Focus: Mexican Indigenous Voices of Ventura County
Enfoque: Voces Indígenas Mexicanas del Condado de Ventura
Agriculture Museum
926 Railroad Ave, Santa Paula
Join us at the Agriculture Museum for this 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. Get more informationHERE.
Únase a nosotros en el Museo de la Agricultura para 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. Más información AQUÍ.
This exhibition is made possible with the support of/Esta exposición es posible gracias al apoyo de: Hofer Properties, Ventura Auto Center, the Busch Family Foundation, Oxnard Performing Arts Center, Gabriella Navarro-Busch and Peter Busch, and Vida Newspaper.
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Venue Rentals
WE KNOW THE ART OF ENTERTAINING
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In downtown Ventura, the Museum of Ventura County offers a refined and timeless setting where history and heartfelt moments come together. In Santa Paula, the Agriculture Museum pairs beautiful gardens with inviting indoor spaces to create an unforgettable backdrop. Each distinctive venue offers an exceptional setting for weddings, milestone celebrations, meetings, and community events.
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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 generous sponsors:
The John and Glenda Hammer Family, TOLD Corporation, The Heritage Fund at VCCF, California Resources Corporation, Bill and Elise Kearney, Hofer Properties, Amgen Foundation, Ventura County Credit Union, Ventura Toyota, Ventura Auto Center, FTI Services, Ventura Music Festival, Ventura County Community College District, Montecito Bank & Trust, Ventura Spirits, Limoneira, In the Mix Events, Peirano’s Catering, and Mustang Marketing.
Museum of Ventura County is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Tax ID: 95-1942930.
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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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