The Museum of Ventura County celebrates, preserves and interprets the art, history and culture of Ventura County, its collections, exhibitions, and events, and serves as a gathering place for the community. The museum first opened in 1913 in the newly built Ventura County Courthouse (now Ventura City Hall). Soon 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.
The collection of historic artifacts now comprises more than 30,000 objects and 1,000 works of art. The fine arts portion of the collection includes priceless works by renowned local artists such as John Nava, Jessie Arms Botke, Omar d’Leon, Horace Bristol and Beatrice Wood, and more than 200 extraordinary historical figures by Ojai artist and historian George Stuart. A non-lending research library holds over 150,000 items relating to Ventura County’s rich history. We draw from all of these holdings to create interpretive exhibitions that illuminate our County’s past, and the possible course of its future.
The collection of historic artifacts now comprises more than 30,000 objects and 1,000 works of art. The fine arts portion of the collection includes priceless works by renowned local artists such as John Nava, Jessie Arms Botke, Omar d’Leon, Horace Bristol and Beatrice Wood, and more than 200 extraordinary historical figures by Ojai artist and historian George Stuart. A non-lending research library holds over 150,000 items relating to Ventura County’s rich history. We draw from all of these holdings to create interpretive exhibitions that illuminate our County’s past, and the possible course of its future.
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