Agriculture Museum Events for Winter

Join us for two new Winter events at the Museum of Ventura County's Agriculture Museum in Santa Paula.

On Saturday, January 21 at 10 am,  join an unusual,specially led tour through the nation's oldest insectary, located within walking distance of the museum. The tour is included with museum admission.

The Catterwailers:  Marc Boomer, Bob Bartosh, and Dana Teague

Then prepare to tap your toes, because on Friday evening, February 10, from 7:30 to 9:30 pm, we present "Music at The Mill." In years past, The Mill, an 1888 building now proudly restored to house the Agriculture Museum, was a favorite site for local musicians' jam sessions and performances. So enjoy the sounds again, when The Catterwailers bring fun and good times with folk, bluegrass and sea shanties. The trio of Marc Boomer (bass and vocals), Bob Bartosh (banjo, guitar, mandolin, and vocals), and Dana Teague (guitar and vocals) has entertained at Santa Barbara’s Old Spanish Days Fiesta, The Ventura County Fair, The Watermark, and the Underwood Family Farms Harvest Festival, among other venues. Admission is $5, free for museum members. Refreshments available. To RSVP call (805) 525-3100.

Inside the museum, you'll find our own hard working beehive, a vintage tractor for your kids to climb, and interactive exhibits about how our food is grown.The popular "Insects: The Good, The Bad and The Ugly" exhibit features the museum’s beehive and macro close-up photographs of bees, taken with a scanning electron microscope by artist and photographer Rose-Lynn Fisher. Visitors can examine bugs with an "Eye Clops" microscope, and learn about insects such as the tiny but fierce Asian Citrus Psyllid, which poses a serious threat to the citrus industry. The exhibit runs through January 29, 2012.

Portions of the annual "Art About Agriculture" exhibit run through February 26 at both the Agriculture Museum and the Santa Paula Art Museum.  Paid entry or free membership admission to either museum will allow $1 off admission to the other, during the run of this exhibit.

Eight vintage tractors, dating from 1914 to 1955, are found throughout the building, including one upon which children can sit. The machines are part of a rotating display of the museum’s nationally recognized collection of farm implements. display of the museum’s nationally recognized collection of farm implements.

Using rare historical photographs and interactive elements, permanent exhibits tell the story of Ventura County’s farming and ranching tradition. Starting with Mission times, visitors can trace the county’s evolution into one of the nation’s most productive growing regions, and learn what innovations are in store for an industry that presently employs more than 30,000 county residents.

The realization of more than 40 years of effort and dedication by supporters, the Agriculture Museum is appropriately housed in the landmark 1888 restored Mill building, at 926 Railroad Avenue, beside the railroad tracks and across from the depot in Santa Paula, California's historic downtown.

HOURS AND ADMISSION: Open 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Wednesday through Sunday, Admission is $4 adults, $3 seniors, $1 children 6-17, and children under 6 free. Membership in the Museum of Ventura County includes free admission to both the Agriculture Museum and the Museum of Ventura County’s primary location at 100 East Main Street in Ventura.