Museum of Ventura County

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.

Join us for a special evening celebrating the opening of two new exhibits at the Museum of Ventura County."Parallel Hist...
05/29/2026

Join us for a special evening celebrating the opening of two new exhibits at the Museum of Ventura County.

"Parallel Histories: Ventura County during the US Revolution"
"Patriotic Threads: Textiles, Tapestries, & T-Shirts"

Doors open at 5:00 PM with an opening ceremony at 5:15 PM. Galleries open until 7:30 PM.

Enjoy complimentary light refreshments. Cash bar available.

This free event is open to the public. Advance RSVP requested. https://venturamuseum.org/event/opening-reception-two-new-exhibits/

Exhibits made possible by the generous support of:
The John and Glenda Hammer Family
The Heritage Fund at VCCF
Amgen Foundation
Tom and Esther Wachtell Family Fund

Thank you to our event sponsors:
Moon Valley Nurseries
Peirano’s Catering
Oaks Event Rentals
Ventura Spirits
Ventura Auto Center

Join us for a community roundtable moderated by Dr. Jennie Luna, Professor of Chicano/a/x Studies at CSU Channel Islands...
05/26/2026

Join us for a community roundtable moderated by Dr. Jennie Luna, Professor of Chicano/a/x Studies at CSU Channel Islands.

Panelists Carolina Gallardo, Julio Alcala, Luzma Espinosa, and Maria Jimenez will share their work and perspectives, exploring community, activism, and the Mexican and Mexican Indigenous experience in Ventura County.

This conversation creates space for dialogue and reflection on the Indigenous diaspora in our region.

Presented in Spanish with English interpretation.

This free event is presented in partnership with the Port of Hueneme. We recommend registering in advance.

https://venturamuseum.org/event/community-roundtable-indigenous-diaspora-in-vc/

Agriculture Museum
926 Railroad Avenue, Santa Paula

Remembering and honoring those who served.This group portrait from 1908 captures an outdoor Memorial Day gathering in Oj...
05/25/2026

Remembering and honoring those who served.

This group portrait from 1908 captures an outdoor Memorial Day gathering in Ojai, with children seated in front and a band gathered in back holding instruments.

Identifier: 13515 from the MVC Research Library Digitized Photographs

"Patriotic Threads: Textiles, Tapestries, & T-Shirts"Opening Reception • Friday, June 5th at 5:00 PMMuseum of Ventura Co...
05/24/2026

"Patriotic Threads: Textiles, Tapestries, & T-Shirts"
Opening Reception • Friday, June 5th at 5:00 PM
Museum of Ventura County

Complimentary light refreshments • Cash bar available
Free and open to the public • RSVP requested

https://venturamuseum.org/event/opening-reception-two-new-exhibits/

"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. Be among the first to experience this powerful new exhibit along with "Parallel Histories: Ventura County during the US Revolution."

This exhibit is made possible by the generous support of: Tom and Esther Wachtell Family Fund

Thank you to our event sponsors: Moon Valley Nurseries, Peirano’s Catering, Oaks Event Rentals, Ventura Spirits, and Ventura Auto Center.

"Parallel Histories: Ventura County during the US Revolution"Opening Reception • Friday, June 5th at 5:00 PMMuseum of Ve...
05/24/2026

"Parallel Histories: Ventura County during the US Revolution"
Opening Reception • Friday, June 5th at 5:00 PM
Museum of Ventura County

Complimentary light refreshments • Cash bar available
Free and open to the public • RSVP requested

https://venturamuseum.org/event/opening-reception-two-new-exhibits/

As the United States commemorates the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, "Parallel Histories" explores what was unfolding at the same time in Ventura County. Be among the first to experience this powerful new exhibit alongside "Patriotic Threads: Textiles, Tapestries, & T-Shirts."

This exhibit is made possible by the generous support of: The John and Glenda Hammer Family, The Heritage Fund at VCCF, Amgen Foundation.

Thank you to our event sponsors: Moon Valley Nurseries, Peirano’s Catering, Oaks Event Rentals, Ventura Spirits, and Ventura Auto Center.

A Sweet Spot in VenturaThis exterior view captures the Ventura Pastry Shop at 1754 E. Main Street during the 1940s. A ba...
05/21/2026

A Sweet Spot in Ventura

This exterior view captures the Ventura Pastry Shop at 1754 E. Main Street during the 1940s. A bakery sign is visible in the window, and a two-door sedan is parked at the curb outside the shop.

Identifier: 34926 from the MVC Research Library Digitized Photographs

The Ventura County Library invites the community to the Agriculture Museum on Wednesday, May 20 at 6:00 PM for "Enduring...
05/19/2026

The Ventura County Library invites the community to the Agriculture Museum on Wednesday, May 20 at 6:00 PM for "Enduring Voices: Local Impacts of the Japanese American Incarceration of World War II." This special conversation with CSU Channel Islands professor Dr. Lily Tamai is inspired by this year’s One Book, One Coast selection, "They Called Us Enemy" by George Takei.

This special program explores the lasting impact of Japanese American incarceration in Ventura County during World War II through personal stories, community memory, and local history.

This FREE event is made possible and presented in partnership with
• Museum of Ventura County
• Blanchard Community Library
• Japanese American Citizens League Ventura County Chapter
• John Spoor Broome Library at CSUCI
• Asian American Pacific Islander Association at CSUCI
• Chicano Studies Department at CSUCI

Agriculture Museum
926 Railroad Ave
Santa Paula, 93060

Wednesday, May 20
6:00 - 7:00 PM

Join us for a special evening celebrating the opening of two new exhibits at the Museum of Ventura County."Parallel Hist...
05/14/2026

Join us for a special evening celebrating the opening of two new exhibits at the Museum of Ventura County.

"Parallel Histories: Ventura County during the US Revolution"

"Patriotic Threads: Textiles, Tapestries, & T-Shirts"

Be among the first to experience these dynamic new exhibits exploring history, art, and cultural expression.

Doors open at 5:00 PM with an opening ceremony at 5:15 PM. Galleries open until 7:30 PM.

Enjoy complimentary light refreshments. Cash bar available.

This free event is open to the public. Advance RSVP requested. https://bit.ly/4do3VBz

Exhibits made possible by the generous support of:
The John and Glenda Hammer Family
The Heritage Fund at VCCF
Amgen Foundation
Tom and Esther Wachtell Family Fund

Event sponsors:
Moon Valley Nurseries
Peirano’s Catering
Oaks Event Rentals
Ventura Spirits
Ventura Auto Center

Join us for a community roundtable moderated by Dr. Jennie Luna, Professor of Chicano/a/x Studies at CSU Channel Islands...
05/11/2026

Join us for a community roundtable moderated by Dr. Jennie Luna, Professor of Chicano/a/x Studies at CSU Channel Islands.

Panelists Carolina Gallardo, Julio Alcala, Luzma Espinosa, and Maria Jimenez will share their work and perspectives, exploring community, activism, and the Mexican and Mexican Indigenous experience in Ventura County.

This conversation creates space for dialogue and reflection on the Indigenous diaspora in our region.

Presented in Spanish with English interpretation.

This free event is presented in partnership with the Port of Hueneme. We recommend registering in advance.

https://venturamuseum.org/event/community-roundtable-indigenous-diaspora-in-vc/

Agriculture Museum
926 Railroad Avenue, Santa Paula

Spend your Sunday at the Agriculture Museum in Santa Paula and explore the stories and traditions that helped shape Vent...
05/09/2026

Spend your Sunday at the Agriculture Museum in Santa Paula and explore the stories and traditions that helped shape Ventura County. From historic tractors and farming equipment to beautiful gardens and hands-on activities, there’s something for all ages to enjoy. Admission is free!

Now on view:
"Enfoque: Voces Indígenas Mexicanas del Condado de Ventura"
"In Focus: Mexican Indigenous Voices of Ventura County"

This powerful exhibit features more than 40 portraits by internationally acclaimed photographer Diego Huerta and highlights Indigenous community members from Mixteco, Zapotec, Purépecha, Maya, Nahua, and Otomí cultures living throughout Ventura County.

Open Sundays
11 AM – 5 PM
926 Railroad Avenue, Santa Paula

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

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