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Thursday 11am - 5pm Friday 11am - 5pm Saturday 11am - 5pm Sunday 11am - 5pm

Museum of Ventura County

Name: Museum of Ventura County
Address: 100 E Main Street, Ventura, CA, 93001, US
Telephone: +18056530323
Price range: $
Rating: 4.7

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Museum of Ventura County

The Museum of Ventura County first opened in 1913 in the newly built Ventura County Courthouse (now Ventura City Hall).
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The Museum of Ventura County engages participants in meaningful experiences with history, art, culture, and each other by aspiring to spark curiosity and encourage compassion to build community and connection. At that time, it was known as the Pioneer Museum, its collections of artifacts and curios were the legacy of Dr. Cephas Bard, a Pennsylvania doctor who came to Ventura after the Civil War. A

compassionate man with wide-ranging interests, Dr. Bard accepted historical objects in lieu of cash payment for his services. Priceless Chumash, Spanish and Mexican-American objects from his collection are on display in the galleries today. In 1977, the Museum moved to its 15,000 square foot building on Ventura’s Main Street, near historic Mission San Buenaventura.

08/28/2026

Thank you to everyone who joined us for An Introduction to Obon: A Japanese Summer Festival!
We were honored to celebrate this meaningful Japanese tradition in partnership with the Oxnard Buddhist Temple and to welcome our community for an afternoon of culture, connection, and remembrance.
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¡Gracias a todos los que nos acompañaron en Una Introducción al Obon: Un Festival Japonés de Verano!
Fue un honor celebrar esta significativa tradición japonesa en colaboración con el Templo Budista de Oxnard y recibir a nuestra comunidad para disfrutar de una tarde de cultura, conexión y conmemoración.

08/27/2026

It’s that time again… back to school! 🎒📚

This 1930s snapshot of children outside of Palm Street Kindergarten reminds us that while classrooms, clothes, and school supplies may have changed, some things never do — like making new friends along the way.

As students across Ventura County head back to the classroom, we’re wishing everyone a wonderful school year filled with discovery and plenty of memories!

📸 Five Children Outside of Palm Street Kindergarten c. 1930s. Identifier: 12413 from the MVC Research Library Digitized Photographs.

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¡Llegó ese momento otra vez… el regreso a clases! 🎒📚

Esta fotografía de la década de 1930, que muestra a niños afuera del kínder en Palm Street, nos recuerda que, aunque los salones de clase, la ropa y los útiles escolares hayan cambiado, hay cosas que nunca cambian, como hacer nuevos amigos en el camino.

Mientras los estudiantes de todo el Condado de Ventura regresan a las aulas, ¡les deseamos a todos un maravilloso año escolar lleno de descubrimientos y muchos recuerdos!

📸 Cinco niños afuera del kínder de Palm Street, c. década de 1930. Identificador: 12413 de las Fotografías Digitalizadas de la Biblioteca de Investigación del Museo del Condado de Ventura.

08/26/2026

Ticket sales close September 1!

Celebrate Ventura County’s remarkable role in the early days of filmmaking.

Join the Museum of Ventura County for Taste of History: The Silent Movie Era, featuring fine dining, vintage-inspired cocktails, live entertainment, dancing, and an exciting live auction.

The evening will also feature the presentation of the Museum’s Lifetime Achievement Awards honoring Chuck Cohen and Joanie Young, celebrating their extraordinary contributions to Ventura County and their lasting impact on our community.

Taste of History: The Silent Movie Era
Thursday, September 10 | 5:30–9:30 p.m.
Sherwood Country Club, Thousand Oaks

Reserve your seats by September 1. https://bit.ly/4xt4vXA

08/20/2026

Join us at the Agriculture Museum on Saturday, August 29 for the Chicana/o Moratorium, presented in partnership with the August 29th Organizing Committee.

This day of action and community honors the first Chicana/o Moratorium, held on August 29, 1970, in East Los Angeles, which protested the Vietnam War and called attention to the racism and discrimination experienced by communities of color in the United States.

This free event will feature live music, danza mexica, poetry, food trucks, local vendors, and community information booths. All are welcome to come together in reflection, remembrance, and community. No registration is required.

Saturday, August 29
11:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Agriculture Museum
926 Railroad Ave
Santa Paula, 93060

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Acompáñanos en el Museo de Agricultura el sábado 29 de agosto para la Conmemoración del Moratorio Chicana/o, presentada en colaboración con el Comité Organizador del 29 de Agosto.

Esta jornada de acción y comunidad honra el primer Moratorio Chicana/o, celebrado el 29 de agosto de 1970 en el Este de Los Ángeles, el cual protestó contra la Guerra de Vietnam y llamó la atención sobre el racismo y la discriminación que enfrentaban las comunidades de color en Estados Unidos.

Este evento gratuito contará con música en vivo, danza mexica, poesía, food trucks, vendedores locales y puestos de información comunitaria. Todas y todos son bienvenidos a reunirse en un espacio de reflexión, memoria y comunidad.

Sábado 29 de agosto
11:00 a. m. – 5:00 p. m.

Museo de Agricultura
926 Railroad Ave.
Santa Paula, CA 93060

08/14/2026

Celebrate Obon at MVC!

Join us for "An Introduction to Obon: A Japanese Summer Festival" at the Museum of Ventura County. This free, family-friendly event is presented in partnership with the Oxnard Buddhist Temple.

Discover how Obon honors ancestors through music, dance, and community gatherings. Enjoy paper lantern decorating, traditional Japanese drumming by Togen Daiko, and Bon Odori, a traditional Japanese festival dance.

Saturday, August 22
12:30 - 2:30 p.m.

Museum of Ventura County
100 E. Main Street
Downtown Ventura

https://venturamuseum.org/event/an-introduction-to-obon-a-japanese-summer-festival-2/

08/13/2026

August is FREE at MVC!

Enjoy FREE admission this August at the Museum of Ventura County, thanks to the generous support of Linda and John Zaruka and MVC Friends.

Now on display:
Parallel Histories: Ventura County during the US Revolution
Patriotic Threads: Textiles, Tapestries, & T-Shirts
The Changing Faces of Abraham Lincoln, George Stuart Historical Figures®

Museum Hours
Wednesday–Sunday
11 a.m.–5 p.m.

Visit Us
100 E. Main Street
Downtown Ventura

08/12/2026

Step back into the glamour of the 1920s for an unforgettable evening celebrating Ventura County’s remarkable role in the early days of filmmaking.

Join the Museum of Ventura County for Taste of History: The Silent Movie Era, featuring fine dining, vintage-inspired cocktails, live entertainment, dancing, and an exciting live auction.

The evening will also feature the presentation of the Museum’s Lifetime Achievement Awards honoring Chuck Cohen and Joanie Young, celebrating their extraordinary contributions to Ventura County and their lasting impact on our community.

Taste of History: The Silent Movie Era
Thursday, September 10 | 5:30–9:30 p.m.
Sherwood Country Club, Thousand Oaks

Reserve your seats today.
https://wl.donorperfect.net/weblink/WebLink.aspx?name=E342153&id=375

08/09/2026

As this year’s Ventura County Fair comes to an end, we’re taking another look back at the Fair’s history. From livestock exhibitions to midway attractions, the Fair has brought agriculture, entertainment, and community together for generations.

This photograph shows three show cows standing side by side at the Ventura County Fair in 1921. Wearing bridles and reins, the cattle were likely prepared for judging or exhibition, a tradition that remains an important part of the Fair today.

Identifier: 8956 from the MVC Research Library Digitized Photographs.

08/06/2026

Miss Ventura County, 1928

As the Ventura County Fair continues, we're sharing another glimpse into its early history.

This photograph, taken in September 1928, features Miss Ventura County, Virginia Bagley, posing on the beach with a diamond-shaped sign announcing the Ventura County Fair, held September 12–16.

Nearly a century later, it's a fun reminder that creative advertising has long been part of the Fair's tradition.

From preserving history to sharing it, the Museum of Ventura County connects our community with the stories that shape Ventura County.

Identifier: 18613 from the MVC Research Library Digitized Photographs.

08/05/2026

Join us at the Museum of Ventura County on Saturday, August 22, at 12:30 p.m. for "An Introduction to Obon: A Japanese Summer Festival." This free, family-friendly celebration is presented in partnership with the Oxnard Buddhist Temple.

Discover the Japanese tradition of Obon, a festival that honors ancestors through music, dance, and community gatherings. Enjoy paper lantern decorating, traditional Japanese drumming by Togen Daiko, and Bon Odori, a traditional Japanese festival dance.

https://venturamuseum.org/event/an-introduction-to-obon-a-japanese-summer-festival-2/

Museum of Ventura County
100 E. Main Street
Downtown Ventura

Address

100 E Main Street
Ventura, CA
93001

Opening Hours

Thursday	11am - 5pm
Friday	11am - 5pm
Saturday	11am - 5pm
Sunday	11am - 5pm

Telephone

+18056530323

Website

http://www.venturamuseum.org/

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