Olaf Wieghorst Museum and Western Heritage Center

09/04/2026

Our own Michael Bostwick and the Olaf Wieghorst Botanical Garden were featured in a story by Nancy Carol Carter in the Sept/Oct edition of CALIFORNIA GARDEN, the San Diego Floral Association Magazine.

In the article Mike describes how he volunteered to help with the once languishing Wieghorst garden, bringing his expertise from a career as the Curator of Horticulture at the San Diego Zoo. As his involvement with the museum grew, Bostwick became the President of the Museum Foundation and continues today as its Vice President and Garden Director.

Bostwick’s many recognitions include the 1999 Horticultural Conservation Award and the 2011 Lifetime Achievement Award from the Association of Zoological Horticulture, the national organization dedicated to advancing horticulture in zoos, zoological parks, and aquariums.

Copies of CALIFORNIA GARDEN magazine can be ordered by mail at $10 per copy (includes shipping and handling). Single copies of the current issue can be purchased at the following locations;
Mission Hills Nursery
Walter Anderson’s Nursery, (San Diego & Poway)
Coastal Sage Gardening (San Diego); and from the
San Diego Floral Association at Casa Del Prado, Room 106, San Diego CA 92103

Become a member and receive the 6 issues each year in your mailbox. 40 pages packed with stories and plant information. https://sandiegofloral.org

08/31/2026

The Olaf Wieghorst Museum has the rare privilege of hosting Larry Maurice – the Cowboy Entertainer – for a one man show at 7 p.m. on Saturday, September 12, 2026. Rarely in Southern California, Larry brings his classic frontier humor to a contemporary audience.

Much like 19th-century humorist Mark Twain, Larry Maurice uses storytelling, verse, and oral history to preserve the culture of the American West. Using minimalist staging, Larry’s personal charisma, vocal modulation, and timing holds his audience. His stories of the Old West blend historical education with entertainment.

Beyond the stage, Larry has been an author, a poet, a rodeo announcer, a master of ceremonies and a historical advocate. He can recite cowboy poetry and share historical anecdotes with the best entertainers of the century.

In 1989 he became a regular performer and tour guide at the annual Lone Pine Film Festival. The following year he began touring nationally, performing at the Elko Cowboy Poetry Gathering, and the The Autry Museum. He hosted television specials like "Heroes on Horseback" for the FOX network.

In 2000 Larry was honored by The Academy Of Western Artists with the prestigious Will Rogers Cowboy Award. He was named Cowboy Poet of the Year. Then in 2004 he received the American Cowboy Culture Award at the National Cowboy Symposium in Lubbock, Texas. The award celebrated his lifetime contributions to Western poetry and history preservation. In the mid 2000’s, he took over the famous "Sunrise Tour" in the Alabama Hills for the Lone Pine Film Festival following the death of character actor John Mitchum.

Today, Larry Maurice continues traveling the country with his acclaimed educational one-man show, Cowboy: The Spirit, The Lore, The Legacy, while balancing speaking engagements at schools, museums, and historical festivals.

General admission is $30. Doors open at 6:30 pm at 131 Rea Avenue in Downtown El Cajon. Ticket information at (619) 599-3686.

08/24/2026

The star of the show: was Thom Guerra - artist, muralist, sign painter - in front of the restored mural of Olaf Wieghorst's "Navajos at Castle Creek." Thom restored the mural and talked about the process at a celebration of completion of the project. The celebration was held at the Wieghorst Museum Botanical Garden yesterday.

Among those recognized at the event were Andrea Bazer representing the FRIENDS OF EAST COUNTY ARTS - the organization who was largely responsible for the original installation of the mural 20 years ago.

LA MAESTRA COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTERS whose building the mural is actually on, and

Deputy Mayor MICHELLE METSCHEL (and El Cajon City Council Member - District 2) who officiated the event and praised community efforts to improve Downtown El Cajon.

We can’t thank them enough.

Look for more information and pictures of the event at San Diego East County Community Times, San Diego's Only Photojournalism Publication.

08/17/2026

MURAL RESTORATION CELEBRATION.
SATURDAY, AUGUST 22, 2026 - 9 AM

Please join us at the Olaf Wieghorst Museum and Western Heritage Center as we celebrate the completed restoration of the magnificent mural depicting Olaf Wieghorst's celebrated painting "Navajos at Castle Creek."

Seventeen years ago, artist Thom Guerra brought this scene to life on the building overlooking our botanical garden. Today, we are honored to celebrate as Thom returns to talk about his original work and what it took to bring this treasured mural back to its former beauty.

Our celebration will begin at 9 am. Thom will speak about the history of the mural, the original painting process, and the recent restoration. Following the presentation Mr. Guerra will be available to answer your questions.

Coffee and pastries will be served and you are welcome to tour the museum, Olaf's home and of course the beautiful botanical garden.

The event is free but donations are very welcome!!!

For information, please call Helen 619.599.3686 Helen@wieghorstmuseum .org

08/13/2026

Here is our Board Chairman John Stauffer at the Wieghorst Museum's information table at the Golden Future Senior Expo held last Saturday at the Handlery Hotel San Diego. In addition to being a great host, John was showing off his wood working skills with the gorgeous Olaf Wieghorst Museum table sign created for the event. Over 500 people stopped by our table. We sure met al lot of nice folks!

08/05/2026

Come join us at the Golden Future Senior Expo
SATURDAY, AUGUST 8TH , 9am - 1pm
We will be hosting a table and we would love for you to stop by.

It is at the Handlery Hotel San Diego on Hotel Circle.

Get ready for an engaging day filled with expert speakers, interactive workshops, live entertainment, raffles, games, giveaways, makeovers, and a wide variety of products and services designed to enhance everyday life.

Detailed information is available at:
https://goldenfutureseniorexpo.com/san-diego-edition

With more than 15 years of experience and over 160 successful lifestyle, health, and active aging events in California, Golden Future Senior Expo has become a recognized leader in serving California’s senior population. They recognize that today’s senior community is vibrant, informed, and motivated to remain healthy, active, and socially connected—and their senior conventions are designed to reflect and support that lifestyle.

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08/01/2026

We are in the news!

Check out this K**I interview with muralist Thom Guerra talking about the restoration of the "Navajos at Castle Creek " mural at the Wieghorst Museum. The mural project will be finished in time for the ALLEY CAT ART FEST scheduled for Saturday, September 12, 2026 in Downtown El Cajon.

The Olaf Wieghorst Museum will begin the restoration of the mural reproducing Olaf Wieghorst's famous painting: "Navajos at Castle Creek."

07/30/2026

You're Invited!

The Olaf Wieghorst Museum is pleased to announce the restoration of the impressive 28-foot by 22-foot mural reproducing Olaf Wieghorst's renowned painting, "Navajos at Castle Creek." This landmark mural, which covers much of the building at the far end of our museum property, has been a familiar sight for years and is now being beautifully restored.

We invite you to stop by and witness the restoration in progress as acclaimed local muralist Thom Guerra carefully brings this magnificent work of art back to life.

Friday, July 31, 2026
Saturday, August 1, 2026
8:00 a.m. to approximately 12:00 noon each day

This is a unique opportunity to watch an accomplished artist at work, learn about the restoration process, and celebrate the legacy of Olaf Wieghorst and the rich Western heritage that inspires our museum.

We hope you'll join us to experience this exciting transformation and share in preserving an important piece of our community's artistic history.

07/18/2026

We are proud to call Mehl Lawson one of our own.

Mehl is an early supporter and board member of the Wieghorst Museum who helped build the museum in its early years. He continues to support the museum as an emeritus member. He is a standout in the local art world having contributed one of the finest examples of representational western art – a life size statue of a horse at the Bonita Museum and Cultural Center.

05/04/2026

Just in time for Olaf Wieghorst's birthday celebration the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum released this podcast titled:
"The Wild Western Life of Artist Olaf Wieghorst."

The episode is hosted by Seth Spillman;
Produced by: Chase Spivey; Written by Mike Koehler.

Broadcasting from the famous Oklahoma City museum, "This Week in the West" brings you the stories of the people and events that shaped the history of the American West.

3 likes. "This Week in the West: The Wild Western Life of Artist Olaf Wieghorst"