Historic Dudley House Museum in Ventura

San Buenaventura Heritage, Inc. (SBH) is a non-profit educational and charitable organizatioin founded in 1978 with a primary focus of preserving the Dudley House, an 1892 Victorian farm house, located at 197 N. Ashwood, Ventura. The Dudley House is one of 35 Ventura County properties listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

The house is a living history museum reflecting the life of the Dudley family. The terraces and pergola for outdoor events have been installed on the north side side of the house, and the lavender garden with some 100 plants featuring over 20 varieties is on the south side of the house. The basement is used as a community room and visitor center with cooking facilities and is avaialble for small events and receptions. Larger events can be held outside on the grounds.

The Dudley House is open for tours the first Sunday of the month from 1pm to 4pm from January to November. Visit www.dudleyhouse.org or call 805.644.3286 for more information.  Admission is free but donations are accepted and appreciated.

Historic Recording Series

During open houses, pre-1930 recordings transferred to CDs are played. A new recording is played each month on the Victrola console in the parlor. Here is the upcoming 2013 playing schedule (past events removed):

May 5  1pm to 4pm - Argentina in Paris. Recordings from 1926 to 1928                           

June 2  1pm to 4pm - Memphis Jug Band. Recordings from 1927 to 1934

July 4  1pm to 4pm - Louis Armstrong Recordings Vol. 2, Part 3 Recordings from 1925

July 7  1pm to 4pm Louis Armstrong Recordings Vol. 2, Part 3 Recordings from 1925.

August 4 1pm to 4pm - Charles Peguri. Recordings from 1907 to 1930

September 1 1pm to 4pm - Early Tzigane Records, Vol. 2, 1905 to 1922

October 6 1pm to 4pm - The Naughty 1920s, Vol 1, Recordings from the 1920s

November 3, 2013 1pm to 4pm - Emma Eames. Vol. 2, Recordings from 1906 to 1911.

No recordings in December due to Dudley House Victorian Holiday Boutique.

Old Time Radio Series

CDs of radio shows are performed in the radio console on the 2nd floor hallway. Upcoming 2013 schedule (past events removed 4/28/13):           

May 5 1pm to 4pm - The Whuistler-Blue Alibi, June 14, 1950

June 2 1pm to 4pm - The Life of Riley-Basketbal Game...Bribe?, March 23, 1951

July 4 1pm to 4pm - Fibber McGee and Molly-Too Much Energy, Janaury 23, 1945

July 7 1pm to 4pm - Fibber McGee and Molly-Too Much Energy, Janaury 23, 1945

August 4 1pm to 4pm - Sherlock Holmes-The Adventure of the Sinister Crate of Cabbages, May 2, 1948

September 1 1pm to 4pm - Mystery in the Air-The Horla, February 12, 1946

October 6 1pm to 4pm - Orson Welles Mercury Theater-War of the Worlds (1hr), October 30, 1938

November 3 1pm to 4pm - The Great Gilderesleeve-The Jolly Boys Band, November 23, 1949

No shows in December due to Dudley House Victorian Holiday Boutique.

Victorian Holiday Boutique 2013

The 20th Dudley House Victorian Holiday Boutique will take place from 10am to 6pm on the Friday, Saturday and Sunday starting on the Friday after Thanksgiving, November 29. The dates are November 29, 30 and December 1, 6, 7, 8, 13, 14 and 15. The House is decorated inside by dozens of crafters who will be selling their items. For information on the event call (805)-654-8381.

Stagecoach Inn Museum - Newbury Park

The Stagecoach Inn Museum is a replica of a Monterey style inn, the 1876 Grand Union Hotel. The complex also includes a Chumash Indian village, an early California adobe, a pioneer house and a few other buildings. There is a nice park adjoining the property along with nature trails and a stream that make this a nice place to bring the entire family.

The Stagecoach Inn Museum is a State Historical Landmark (#659).  The original structure was destroyed by fire in April 1970 but has been rebuilt and relocated.  It was originally located at the corner of what is now Ventu Park Road and the 101 Freeway, where a historical marker has been placed.

The Stagecoach Inn is located at 51 South Ventu Park Road, Newbury Park.  Call 805.498.9441 or visit www.stagecoachmuseum.org for more information! The Conejo Valley Historical Society is also based out of this location.

Reagan Ranch Center Exhibit Galleries in Santa Barbara

President Reagan’s home for 25 years and the Western White House during the height of the Cold War, the Reagan Ranch embodies the life and ideas of Ronald Reagan. In the spring of 1998, Young America’s Foundation stepped forward to save the Reagan Ranch; eight years later, in June 2006, the Reagan Ranch Center in downtown Santa Barbara opened its doors. This Schoolhouse for Reaganism serves as an important complement to the Ranch itself.

The Reagan Ranch Center in downtown Santa Barbara is open to the general public for tours and visitation Monday through Thursday from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm year round.

These galleries feature original Reagan Ranch artifacts matched with state-of-the-art, interactive, multimedia exhibits that highlight the history of Ronald Reagan’s quarter-century at Rancho del Cielo and the accomplishments of his presidency.

Over six hours of dynamic multimedia exhibits provide access to exclusive speeches, interviews, radio addresses, and original video presentations. The centerpiece of the gallery is a 28-foot-long interactive “timeline” that gives users the ability to explore the “Western White House” during the 1980s.

The galleries also feature several unique collections on display, including the Lorraine Wagner Letter Collection, a nearly 300-piece collection of letters written by Ronald Reagan over a 50-year period and the Russell D. Sibert Collection, featuring rare Reagan-related memorabilia such as campaign buttons, posters and commemorative items.

A massive 5,000 pound section of the Berlin Wall greets visitors as they arrive at the Reagan Ranch Center, reminding the world of Ronald Reagan’s role in eliminating this assault on human dignity and freedom. The president’s famous blue Jeep Scrambler, complete with “Gipper” license plate, sits in the center of the gallery, flanked by a selection of his favorite books, an original saddle and chainsaw owned and used by President Reagan.

The Reagan Ranch Center is designed to engage visitors of all ages; younger children can even earn their “Junior Secret Service Clearance” by completing a fun and educational scavenger hunt.

The Reagan Ranch Center is located at 217 State Street next to the train station.

Admission is FREE. For more information call 1-888-USA-1776 or visit www.yaf.org/ExhibitGalleries.aspx.

Ojai Valley Museum

Founded in 1966, the Ojai Valley Museum at 130 West Ojai Avenue has an extensive collection of art, Native American baskets, pioneer tools and photographs of early days in Ojai.

The Ojai Valley Museum Research Library houses archives including historical journals that chronicle the events of early to contemporary Ojai Valley activities.

Admission as of March 2013 is $4 for adults, $1 for kids 6 to 18 and 5 and under free. Open Tuesday through Sunday with guided tours. FREE admission the first Friday of each month!

For more information, visit www.ojaivalleymuseum.org or call 805.640.1390.

Alaska Airlines Flight 261 Sundial Memorial at Hueneme Beach

The Alaska Airlines Flight 261 Sundial Memorial commemorates the 88 passengers and crew who lost their lives aboard Alaska Airlines Flight 261 near Anacapa Island on January 31, 2000. The flight was en route from Puerto Vallarta, Mexico to San Francisco and Seattle.

The Memorial features a 36-foot diameter concrete plaza with a curving sand wall and seating area and a raised sundial in the center. The monument was designed by by well known Santa Barbara sculptor James “Bud” Bottoms. The sundial’s bronze dolphins and triangular blade (gnomon) cast a shadow on the 20-foot diameter dial face oriented to Pacific Standard Time. Names of each of the victims are inscribed on individual bronze plates mounted on the perimeter of the dial.

The crash site is located between the mainland at Port Hueneme and Anacapa Island, one of the smallest islands in the Channel Islands chain, 14 miles offshore. Families of the lost passengers and crew dedicated the sundial as both a memorial to their loved ones and a work of public art in gratitude to the residents of Port Hueneme for their compassion and tireless assistance in the recovery effort. This is a touching and lasting tribute to those who lost their lives on this flight.

Access the Sundial Memorial from Hueneme Beach parking lot B off Surfside Drive near the gazebo.

CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS ABOUT BEACHES SPANNING FROM CARPINTERIA TO MALIBU!

Mullin Automotive Museum

Located at 1421 Emerson Avenue in Oxnard, the Mullin Automotive Museum opened in Spring 2010. The Museum is a 47,000 square foot facility with a collection of over 50 French Art Deco cars from the 1930s and 1940s, including Bugattis, Delages, Delahayes, Hispano Suizas, Talbot-Lagos and Voisins. Peter W. Mullin is the founder/owner of the Museum and the collection.

The Museum is generally open to the public 1-2 days per month. Click here for more RSVP information. Visit www.mullinautomotivemuseum.com or call 805.385.5400 to learn more and to purchase tickets. As of February 2013, admission is $12 for adults, $8 for 65+, $5 for ages 5 through 11 and free for 4 and under.

This museum and its contents are STUNNING to say the least!! See more photos at THIS LINK.

 

Port Hueneme Historical Museum

The Port Hueneme Historical Museum is located at 220 Market Street in Port Hueneme.  Built in 1925, the Museum houses historical artifacts, photographs, and information on the history of the Hueneme area.  Architect Myron Hunt designed the building, and he was also responsible for designing the Bard Mansion, Huntington Library, and the Ambassador Hotel.

The Museum is open from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday - Friday (corresponding to the office hours of the Chamber of Commerce).  Displays are maintained by the Department of Recreation and Community Services and the Historical Commission.  Tours are by appointment only.  Call (805) 488-2023 or visit www.huenemechamber.com.

The Woolworth Museum in Downtown Oxnard

What is believed to be the only Woolworth Museum in the world is located in the Woolworth Building (circa 1950) at 210 West Fourth Street, Oxnard. This small, unique museum contains all sorts of nostalgia associated with the F. W. Woolworth Company, one of the original "five and dime" stores.

The Woolworth Building is an 16,800 square foot building completed in 1950 that was completely redeveloped in 2003. It is now occupied by office tenants and the Fresh and Fabulous Cafe.

The museum features all sorts of items. Many are actual old items that exemplified what Woolworth's used to sell. Some items on display relate directly to this building and the people who worked there, including two managers and a woman who worked here on the first day that the store opened in 1950. There are souvenirs from the Woolworth Building in New York, which was the tallest building in the world when completed in 1913

There is a collection of books related to the Woolworth stores. There are several items from old lunch counters, including dishes and menus, as well as some items that relate directly to the pivotal Civil Rights sit-in that took place at a Woolworth Lunch Counter in 1960.

Photos of various Woolworth stores from 1878 through the 1960s are seen throughout the building. There is a working antique dial pay-phone, a take-your-own photo booth from the 1940s and games and vending machines from the 1930s through the 1960s.

David Feigin and his wife continue adding to the museum. According to Feigin, the newest addition is two antique t.v. cabinets that contain that play two different video presentations. One is an A&E Biography about F.W. Woolworth and his life, and the other is a collection of hundreds of Woolworth related images; many of stores all across the country from the 1880's through the 1990's, and others of merchandise, logos, graphics, F.W. Wooloworth and his Board of Directors, etc. Feigin notes with humor that the background music is dated, hokey and terrible.

There is a vintage cash register, like those found in most stores in the 60's and 70's, displayed so visitors can push down "No Sale" so that the cash-drawer pops open with the familiar ch-ching, bell ringing and all, and the wooden drawer can be examined and closed.

Also seen is a 1959 Cavalier 96 Coke machine, which dispenses ice cold vintage coke bottles...at a nice quite as vintage price of $1.25.

So stop by sometime! Just walk in. No attendants and no entrance fees.  Enjoy! And have lunch while you're at it!  The museum is typically open from 7:30 am to 2:30 pm Monday to Friday and 9 am to 2:30 pm on Saturday.

For more information and pictures, visit thewoolworthbldg.com.

More throwback items in the men's room at the Woolworth Building. The have Boraxo soap in there too!

Anthony C. Beilenson Interagency Visitor Center in Calabasas

The Anthony C. Beilenson Interagency Visitor Center is located at King Gillette Ranch, 26800 Mulholland Highway, Calabasas. It opened to the public in June 2012.

The Visitor Center is jointly operated by the National Park Service, California State Parks, the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy, and the Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority.

It features exhibits and interactive displays, the work of local artists, tours of sustainable features and a native plant garden. There is a tremendously comprehensive exhibit covering things to see and do within the Santa Monica Mountains.

The Visitor Center was formerly the horse stable for the Gillette Mansion. I retains some of its original design while achieving LEED Platinum certification as the first "net zero" visitor center in the National Park Service. Cool! (literally and figuratively)

Visitor Center staff and volunteers are very friendly and helpful and have a ton of information to share to help you enjoy what we have in our backyard.

Call 805-370-2301 or visit www.nps.gov/samo/planyourvisit/visitor-center.htm. Open 9am to 5pm year-round, except Christmas, Thanksgiving and New Year's Day.

One of numerous nicely done, informative exhibits at the Visitor Center.

Humongous map of the entire Santa Monica Mountains range with useful markings

Casa de la Guerra in Santa Barbara

Casa de la Guerra is one of the most important remnants of Santa Barbara's Spanish-Mexican heritage, along with El Presidio de Santa Bárbara (1782) and Mission Santa Barbara (1786). This adobe residence was constructed between 1818 and 1828 by Josè de la Guerra, the fifth comandante of the Presidio. In addition to his military post, de la Guerra ran an active commercial trade enterprise and served as a patriarch for the community.

His home was the social, political, and cultural center of Santa Barbara during the Mexican period. Descendants of Josè continued to occupy the building until 1943, when the Casa was fully incorporated into the El Paseo complex. In the 1990s, the Santa Barbara Trust for Historic Preservation restored the building to its appearance between 1828 and 1858.

The adobe is now a museum, containing exhibits on the history of the de la Guerra family and the building, furnished period rooms, and rotating exhibits on Santa Barbara and Early California history.

Casa de la Guerra is a City Landmark, a California Landmark, and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Museum hours are Saturday/Sunday noon to 4 p.m. Located at 13-15 East De la Guerra Street, Santa Barbara (just half a block off of State Street. Admission is Adult: $5, Senior (62+): $4, Student: $5, Children (under 16): Free  (Note: Free admission to SB Presidio with purchase of admission to Casa de la Guerra).

Visit sbthp.org/casa.htm or call 805.965.0093 for more information.

Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum

A local must-see is the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum, located at 40 Presidential Drive, Simi Valley.  With sweeping hilltop views of the surrounding valleys, this 100,000+ sq ft museum on 100 acres is incredible and quite interesting for all ages.  There is a wealth of memorabilia and artifacts from throughout Reagan's life on display. 

In February 2011, over 26,000 sq ft of new exhibits and dozens of interactive displays spanning Reagan's life were introduced.  There are 18 galleries that pay tribute to our 40th President's life. You can act in a movie with Reagan, deliver his inaugural address with a teleprompter, set the table for a state dinner, learn about his economic policies in interactive games, read his handwritten diary, ride a horse alongside Reagan at Rancho del Cielo, and much more. There is also a full-scale Oval Office replica  and a 9 1/2 foot, 6,300 lb section of the Berlin Wall on display.

Volunteer docuents very friendly, helpful and extremely knowledgeable, they are there to help guide you through your visit and answer your questions.

The Air Force One Pavilion opened in October 2005.  It features the actual Air Force One aircraft used from 1973 to 2001 and you can walk through aircraft when you visit the museum.  There are also motorcade vehicles, helicopter and other items on display. Check out the video to see how stunning this pavillion is.

In addition to the permanent exhibits discussed above, there are always temporary exhibits on display. Check out the museum's website for details.

Mark your calendars each December for the annual "Christmas Around the World" with decorated trees representing countries Reagan visited while President.

Dine at the Reagan Library! Reagan's Country Cafe offers panoramic views and is open to the public from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily, 7 days a week. You can access the cafe without entering the Museum. The Ronald Reagan Pub is located inside the Air Force One Pavilion and offers drinks and pre-packaged sandwiches and other items.

The museum is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. except Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day. Parking is free of charge. Current admission costs as of January 2013 are $21 ages 18 to 61, $18 ages 62+, $15 ages 11 to 17 and $6 for ages 3 to 10. Children 2 and under are free. More information at www.reaganfoundation.org or by calling 805.577.4000.

Channel Islands Maritime Museum

The Channel Islands Maritime Museum (formerly known as Ventura County Maritime Museum) is a cultural and scenic haven in the Channel Islands Harbor complete with world class maritime art, ship models and ocean breezes.  It opened in 1991 as an independent, not-for-profit public benefit corporation funded by members, friends, charitable foundations and businesses.

In Summer 2012, the museum moved across the harbor to 3900 Bluefin Circle, Oxnard (off 3900 Harbor Boulevard).

The museum is open every day from 11 AM to 5 PM except Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day. Admission is $5 for Adults, $4 for Seniors (62+) and $2 for children ages 6 to 17, as of January 2013.

The Channel Islands Maritime Museum is home to a permanent collection of extensive marine art, featuring works by the Dutch and Flemish painters, 17th century artists Willem van de Velde and Bonaventura Peeters. Noted modern artists in the collection include John Stobart, Montague Dawson, David Thimgan, Roy Cross and Christopher Blossom.

The museum also houses one of the two largest collections of antique Napoleonic prisoner of war sailing ship models in the US. Three thousand years of maritime history are illustrated by historic ship models, including the life's work of renowned builder Edward Marple. Exhibits on whaling, sailors' arts, the history of the Channel Islands Harbor and Port of Hueneme round out the collection.

In my many visits to the museum, I have been very impressed by how knowledgeable the docents were about the contents of the museum! I learned a lot and was amazed at the collection of nearly 100 intricate ship models on display going back hundreds of years. I was also pleased to see docents take the time to engage my kids in some of the exhibits.

The Museum welcomes about 25,000 visitors annually. The Elementary Education Program, staffed entirely by volunteers, conducts in-house tours for thousands of elementary school students each year. The At Sea Education program supports three day youth sailing expeditions onboard working tall ships.

For more infomation, including current exhibits and upcoming museum events, visit cimmvc.org or call 805.984.6260.

Camarillo Ranch House

The Camarillo Ranch House is a 3-story, 14 room, 6,000 square foot Victorian home built by Adolfo Camarillo in 1892.  Adolfo is the son of Juan Camarillo, who purchased the land in 1866.  Adolfo operated the ranch from the time of Juan's death in 1880 until 1948.  Adolfo's name proliferates in Camarillo and the local high school was named after him after he gave 50 acres of land for that use.

The 4.5 acre ranch was given to the City of Camarillo by the Centex Company in 1997.  Today the property includes the house, a historic red barn and a stable.  In 2001, the City of Camarillo completed a $1.5 million restoration of the beautiful home to exhibit what it looked like during the 1914 to 1930 time frame. The Camarillo Ranch was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2003.

Docent-led tours of the house are offered on Wednesdays and Sundays from noon to 4 p.m. and on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Donation of $5 per visitor is requested.

The property is used for many special events and can be reserved for private events like weddings and receptions.  (In fact, we attended a September wedding at the Ranch and it was a wonderful setting.)  My family visited the Ranch House last December during the Christmas holidays and it was quite festive, both inside the house and outside in the nicely maintained grounds. 

The Camarillo Ranch House is located at 201 Camarillo Ranch Road.  Visit www.camarilloranch.org or call 805.389.8182 for more information.

Footage from the Camarillo Country Music Fest and Chili Cook Off Held at Camarillo Ranch on 9/6/09:

Morton Bay Fig TreeEast Garden Gazebo at Camarillo Ranch House

Grandma Prisbrey's Bottle Village in Simi Valley

Grandma Prisbrey's Bottle Village in Simi Valley is a California Historical Landmark, Ventura County Cultural Landmark, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and has a historic designation from the city of Simi Valley. CLICK HERE to learn more and to see more photos here on CVG.

http://www.conejovalleyguide.com/welcome/historical-and-cultural-landmark-grandma-prisbreys-bottle-vi.html

The Nethercutt Museum in Sylmar

The Nethercutt Museum in Sylmar displays a spectacular collection of over 120 antique, vintage, black iron and classic automobiles. This is one of the places that a surprisingly few people know about but is a MUST SEE (another "hidden gem," like The Mullin Automotive Museum in Oxnard). It is a truly gorgeous collection of cars, including numerous winners of the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance and other famed auto shows.

Particularly eye opening to an auto novice like me is the sheer number of different car manufacturers on display that I'd never heard of, like Tucker, Simplex, Cord, REO, Maybah, Ruxton, Westinghouse, Pierce-Arrow, Moon etc as well as autos made by Daimler, Rolls Royce, Cadillac, Packard, Lincoln, Ford, Duesenberg, Oldsmobile, Bugatti and others. There is also huge number of hood ornaments, headlamps and other vintage paraphernalia on display.

Admission to The Nethercutt Museum is FREE of charge and hours (as of July 2012) are 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. Closed Sunday, Monday and all major holidays.  Visit www.nethercuttcollection.org for more information. Open to all ages.

Located at 15151 Bledsoe Steet, Sylmar. When I went I took the 101 east to the 405 south towards Santa Clarita, which becomes the 5 freeway. Get off at Roxford exit east (exit 159A; don't get confused and take the NEXT Roxford exit). Turn right on Roxford, right on San Fernando Road and left on Bledsoe. Museum is a few blocks up on the left hand side. Turn left on Bradley (at Bledsoe) and an immediate left into the parking lot.

Outside the Museum you can walk through a 1912 Pullman Rail Car and a 1937 Canadian Pacific Royal Hudson Locomotive. Open twice a day (weather permitting) at 12:30 p.m. and 3:45 p.m. for 15 minutes.

In addition to the main Museum, next door at 15200 Bledsoe is The Nethercutt Collection, which has over 50 automobiles along with what they call the world's finest assemblage of mechanical musical instruments. Admission here is also free but you must make reservations for the 2 hour docent-led tour, kids must be 12 and older, and no video recording or flash photography is allowed.  Tours are currently offered at 10 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday.