HAPPY THANKSGIVING FROM YOUR MUSEUM OF THE SAN FERNANDO VALLEY

2009 - The Year of Valley History
Thanksgiving Ornament - Photo by Gerald Fecht for the Archives of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley.
Human beings have celebrated "thanksgiving" festivals at harvest time as long as recorded history. The Pilgrims may very well have celebrated a day of Thanksgiving utilizing indigenous American foods. Only a minority of early European colonists practiced a formal religion or attended denominational services, so the religious aspect for the feast for most would likely to have been limited.
President Lincoln issued the first Federal proclamation of Thanksgiving at the onset of the Civil War on November 28th, 1861. At a time of even greater suffering Lincoln made Thanksgiving an official American day in 1863.

The Museum Community wishes all of us a wonderful and safe Thanksgiving. AND DON'T FORGET - The 2nd Annual "Walk It Off" walking tour of historic North Hollywood follows on Saturday at 10 am! So, have that extra piece of pie and join us.
The Museum of the San Fernando Valley 1 (818) 347-9665

BRONWYN RALPH CHAIRS CORVALLIS HIGH SCHOOL HISTORY EFFORT

2009 The Year of Valley History
New Release - Yearbook of Our Lady of Corvallis High School in Studio City 1982 - Gift to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley from Bronwyn Ralph Nov. 2009

The effort to discover and preserve the history of Our Lady of Corvallis High School has begun. Acting as the Chair of the project is the San Fernando Valley author Bronwyn Ralph. If you have yearbooks or other memorabilia from Corvallis to donate, contact Bronwyn through The Museum at 1 (818) 347-9665.

WHEN STAGECOACHES SERVICES THE SAN FERNANDO VALLEY

2009 - The Year of Valley History
Wooden frieze at the US Post Office, San Fernando. Stage coach in the San Fernando Valley - Photo by Gerald Fecht Nov. 2009 for the Archives of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley.

At the onset of the American Civil War, stage coaches serviced travelers in and through the San Fernando Valley. From 1861 to 1874, the Butterfield Stage Line traversed the Valley. One of the major stage stops was at Lopez Station in the North Valley. It was a way station connecting to service in and out of Los Angeles.
Stagecoaches also served customers along what is now Ventura Boulevard. The route was roughly along what is now Riverside Drive from Los Angeles across the Los Angeles River at Campo de Cahuenga and along El Camino Real to Ventura County.

Do you part to preserve the history of the San Fernando Valley. Call 1-(818) 347-9665

CHARMING - A Book Review by Fred Berk for The Museum of the San Fernando Valley

Museum of the San Fernando Valley Book Review

CHARMING: Jewelry with a Message
By Phyllis Hansen
Brighton Collectibles, 2009

The Museum of the San Fernando Valley is proud to have as a talented member of its Board of Directors the author a dazzling new book on charms. Phyllis Hansen, the writer of the work, explains that the history of charms goes back to ancient and medieval times, but this book concentrates mostly on the past century. If all the colorful and unusual charms pictured here were assembled in one museum exhibit, they would bring in the crowds for a long time. But you may just want to imagine they are all displayed for real before your own eyes, as you look back and forth through this gift-type book.

Fred A. Berk, Librarian

Note: The art direction for Charming was done by Laguna Beach designer Lori McFadden. She is also the designer of the logos of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley.

ARTIST DAVID SCHWARTZ CREATES AWARENESS OF VETERANS

Ventura County artist, David Schwartz was commissioned to do this year's poster for the Honor a Hero, Hire a Vet! exposition, sponsored by the Valley Economic Alliance.
Here Schwartz stands before one of his recent paintings from his American Icon series.

NUESTRA SENORA DEL RINCON

Close up of the Lady - Pacoima mural at Haley and Rincon Streets - Photo by Gerald Fecht for The Museum of the San Fernando Valley - November 2009
The Mural with backgrounds removed.
Because I am fascinated by creative expressions of art and spirituality in public places,graffiti holds a special interest for me. The Museum's Board member, Elizabeth Morin is quick to remind us that there is a big difference between the vandalism of tagging and graffiti art.
In Pacoima, near the corners of Haley Street and Rincon Avenue, I encountered this alley mural. I always feel that something mysterious makes me make the wrong turn and see something like this.
So that you might share the impact of this artistic expression, I have presented the mural as it stands in the alley, as well as focusing on the face of the Virgin and just the mural panel. I took the liberty of calling her Our Lady of the Corner, Nuestra Señora del Rincon.

A great Museum of history and culture is emerging in the San Fernando Valley, in the heart of the Creative Capital of the World.

VAQUERO RELIEF CARVING - SAN FERNANDO CALIFORNIA

2009 - The Year of Valley History

Mexican Vaquero - San Fernando Post Office - Photo for the Archives of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley by Gerald Fecht November 2009

Today, as I did one of my walks in the San Fernando Valley, I decided to stroll through the San Fernando mall. I have never seen so many wedding stores in an area outside of Broadway, downtown Los Angeles. It was one of those quiet, warm afternoons when the hills seemed miles closer and traffic had better places to go.
I never pass up a U.S. Post Office on my walks, just in case President Franklin Delano Roosevelt's WPA legacy might be seen there. In San Fernando I was not to be disappointed.
Make sure that you included this post office on any visit to the oldest city in the Valley. The hand-carved wooden panels surrounding the post-master's office are truly beautiful.
Since The Museum of the San Fernando Valley has a special interest in our Latino heritage, this panel of a vaquero working on one of the Spanish ranches is a real treasure.

SAN FERNANDO REY DE ESPANA

2009 - The Year of Valley History
Icon Statue of Saint Ferdinand King of Spain, Saint Ferdinand's Catholic church - City of San Fernando. Photo by Gerald Fecht for the Archives of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley - Nov. 2009

Ferdinand II was the first king of united Spain.
Born on the 10th or March 1452, King Ferdinand was originally the king of Aragon. He married Isabella the Queen of Castile. (The crest of the kingdom of Spain has the castle of Castile and the red lion of Aragon) Together the “royal” couple formed the new kingdom of Spain and bankrolled the explorer Christopher Columbus.
Ferdinand and Isabella used a common language, religion and sense of destiny to unify their Catholic kingdom. The result was the expulsion of Jews, Moslems and non-Catholic Christians from Spain, and the eventual arrival of the Inquisition.
For his religious fervor, Fernando was canonized a saint. It is San Fernando Rey de España for whom our Valley is named.
Saint Ferdinand died on 23 June 1516
Rose Window at St. Ferdinand's Catholic church on McClay Street in San Fernando, California.