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About the Museum MUSEUM OF VENTURA COUNTY a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization Mission Statement The Museum of Ventura County celebrates, preserves and interprets the art, history and culture of Ventura County, the California Channel Islands and the surrounding region through collections, exhibitions, events, education programs, publications and its research library, and serves as a gathering place for the community. The Museum of Ventura County first opened in 1913 in the newly built Ventura County Courthouse (now Ventura City Hall). 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. The Museum is currently at work on a major project to expand its facility in Ventura by adding a public plaza, a pavilion for meetings and special events, expanded galleries and store, an education center with children’s garden, a new lobby and great hall, new library and space for storage and maintenance of the collections. Total project cost is estimated at $12 million, with over $7 million raised to date. Over 75,000 individuals per year enjoy the Museum’s exhibitions, tours and special programs. Members: Over 2,100 Businesses and Individuals support the Museum and receive our newsletter, the Ventura County Historical Society Journal of Ventura County History, and other publications. Exhibitions: Our changing and permanent exhibitions receive extensive coverage in the local and regional press, have been featured on national and international television, and have received national awards. The George Stuart Historical Figures®, on display in the Smith Gallery, are world famous for their lifelike portrayals of famous individuals throughout history. Childrens’ Programs: Over 5,000 children from 120 schools visit the Museum each year for hands-on tours. In addition, outreach programs to over 50 schools reach 4,000 children. The Museum also offers “Third Sunday” family art activities, and the Chumash Youth and ArtStart summer programs.  Adult Programs, including tours for Elderhostel groups, Speakers Bureau and Living History presentations to community groups, and outreach to nursing homes, reach almost 8,000 people throughout Ventura County each year. Special Events such as receptions, lectures, and Museum-sponsored tours provide additional opportunities for travel and education. Collections: The Museum’s artifact collections include over 30,000 objects, from Chumash baskets and Mission-era objects to lima bean threshers and other farm implements. The art collection of over 700 pieces features priceless works by artists active in this area, including Beatrice Wood, Horace Bristol, Jessie Arms Botke and John Nava. The Library and Archive, a non-lending research center affiliated with the County Library, holds over 140,000 items relating to county history, including maps, photographs, newspapers, books, periodicals, manuscripts, oral histories and video tapes, many of them rare and one-of-a-kind. The Annual Budget of approximately $900,000 comes from memberships, admission fees, donations, endowment income, earned income from the Museum Store and special events, and grants from corporations, foundations and from the City of Ventura and Ventura County. Endowment Funds of almost $3 million provide operating income for Museum activities. These include a general operating endowment, the Farm Implement Building Fund, and the Bonita McFarland Trust for art exhibitions, purchases and education. Endowment funds are professionally managed and are overseen by a committee of the Board. The Board of Directors, which meets monthly, is comprised of twenty-five members elected for three-year terms. Staff and Volunteers: The Museum is operated by a full-time professional staff of twelve assisted by 150 docents and volunteers, who contribute over 25,000 hours of service annually.