Time flies and so do the people who preserve the history of the Camarillo area.
The Pleasant Valley Historical Society will open the expansion of its Camarillo Museum on June 26, paving the way for more exhibits, tours, and events that help tell the area’s story.
The historical society was working for years to expand the 34-year-old museum. The project will add 1,000 square feet to the approximately 1,500 square foot building. The group will also restore parts of the 1.4 acre property.
The nonprofit raised about $750,000, but Joy Todd, curator and president of the historical society, said the organization needed about $1.5 million to complete the project. Construction will progress as donations arrive.
“People gave money without collateral,” Todd said. “That’s the faith we had. Now let’s actually build.
During the groundbreaking, which will begin at 2 p.m., society members will use gold-painted farm equipment to dig the ground where the expansion will be built.
But before construction can begin on the building, the historical society will install a new parking lot and add water and power lines.
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The larger museum will allow the historical society to expand its Jack Fulkerson Research Library and build a lounge dedicated to furniture found in local farmers’ homes from the late 1880s to early 1990s.
The project will also increase the number of visits and spaces for events. About 1,300 unique visitors stopped by the museum last year, according to Todd.
Located at 720 Las Posas Road, the museum works to preserve the history of Camarillo and the Pleasant Valley region. It is run by volunteers and admission is free.
“We own the history of the area, and it’s an ongoing story,” Todd said. “It doesn’t stop.”
To donate to the historical society, visit pvhsonline.org.
Brian J. Varela covers Oxnard, Port Hueneme and Camarillo. He can be reached at [email protected] or 805-477-8014. You can also find him on Twitter @BrianVarela805.
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