Review:

When Dr. Cephas Bard, a Pennsylvania doctor who came to Ventura after the Civil War, started accepting priceless Chumash, Spanish, and Mexican historical objects instead of cash for his services, he did not imagine that his collection would become a core of today’s Museum of Ventura Country. He opened his collection to the public in 1913 as the Pioneer Museum. In 1977, the museum moved to the new 15,000 square foot building near historic Mission San Buenaventura. Today, the museum’s goal is to preserve, interpret, and celebrate Ventura Country’s art, culture, and history through collections, exhibitions, events, programs, research, their library, and various publications.

The Agricultural Museum was added in 2011. The Museum of Ventura County is one of the best things to do in Ventura, CA for history lovers. The most important museum collection is the Fine Arts and Historical Artifacts collection with over 30,000 works of art and historical objects, including works of John Nava, Omar d’Leon, Jessie Arms Botke, Beatrice Wood, Horace Bristol, and over 200 historical figures by George Stuart, celebrated Ojai artist and historian. There is also a significant collection of artifacts left by Ventura’s early inhabitants.

Museum of Ventura County, 100 E Main St, Ventura, California, Phone: 805-653-0323

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

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