GREAT CSUN PHOTO BY KRISTINE KELLER

CHERISHING OUR VALLEY  2012

Here's a terrific photograph taken by Kristine Keller, Student Member of The Museum Board at the recent Art Committee's walking tour of the California State University Northridge campus. Kristine, as our Board anticipated when we added a student member this last year, has proven to be a great asset to our efforts. She has been exceedingly helpful in the curating of our Expo Space at the Westfield Fashion Square Mall. Kristine was a major contributor to the recent Art Tour of CSUN.

California State University Northridge Valley Performing Arts Center - photo by Kristine Keller

LOOKING FOR ADDRESS OF HARLEY BOWLES COMPANY

From his days as a school boy in San Fernando High School, Don Newell has created practical and works of art from wood. Now retired, Don continues his passion for design in his Granada Hills studio. (check out his work on donnewelldesign.com)
Don called The Museum today for help to locate the address of the Harley Bowles manufacturing company in San Fernando in the 1930s. If you can help him out give us a ring:  1 (818) 347-9665

MUSEUM ASSOCIATES ORGANIZATION TO BE ESTABLISHED.

CHERISHING OUR VALLEY   2012

Many of you have been asking how to get involved in the Museum Community. Well, soon you will have the opportunity to become part of our all-volunteer Associates of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley. You will have the chance to keep up on the many activities and projects of The Museum, and take on one task through which you can make a real contribution to the Museum Movement.
Get you name on the Associates contract list today;  1 (818) 347-9665

Historic electric iron - Bequest to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley from Porky Johnson 2012.
This appliance must weigh 20 pounds - No need to join a gym with this thing in your life.

CSUN'S SPECIAL BOTANICAL POND

CHERISHING OUR VALLEY       2012

Last Friday, April 20th, the Arts Committee of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley hosted its first tour of the arts and architecture of California State University Northridge. I was stationed to greet tourists at the historic Orange Grove and Botanical Pond on the southeast corner of the campus.  

It was just a little under 100 degrees when I made myself at home at the edge of five acre citrus grove and was grateful that I was at the 270 foot long stream of recycled and natural rain water. The koi and goldfish wisely kept hidden under lily pads and papyrus plants. My favorite plant is the water hyacinth (but, I think they are invasive if allowed to enter waterways like the Los Angeles River. The orange grove is especially important since it is one of the few accessible groves left in the San Fernando Valley. The 400 orange tree site was dedicated in 1972.

CSUN walking tour conducted by the Art Committee of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley. (click on images to enlarge them.)

 

 Once there were thousands of acres of citrus trees in the San Fernando Valley. The perfume of CSUN's Orange Grove is one of the Valley's sweetest treasures.

Bronze crane hidden in the reeds of CSUN's Botanical Pond.

GENERATIONS OF NORTHRIDGE FAITH BIBLE CHURCH

CHERISHING OUR VALLEY      2012

This last Friday, April 20th, a young family came into The Museum's Expo Space at the Westfield Fashion Square in Sherman Oaks.  I asked the father Chris what he does for a living and he told me that he was a pastor of Faith Bible Church in Northridge.  I enthusiastically said that he and his wife Michelle might be interested in the photograph of the original Faith Bible Church of Northridge founded by Norwegian immigrants in 1913.  Here's a photo of Rev and Mrs Grazor with their beautiful children standing in front of Richard Hilton's wonderful photograph (upper left corner.)  

 Rev. Chris and Michelle Grazor and Family at The Museum Expo Space in Sherman Oaks.  

(click on image to enlarge)

If The Museum is lucky, and our production funds don't run out, Pastor Grazor may be able to arrange for us to interview some of the church's founding members. The new Faith Bible Church is located at 8212 Louise Avenue, Northridge, California.

MUSEUM SPONSORED ART WALK AT CSUN TODAY

LANKERSHIM MILK BOTTLE GIVES A CLUE TO THE VALLEY'S PAST

CHERISHING OUR VALLEY      2012

Lankershim milk bottle - gift to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley from the late Porky Johnson.

A heavy, sun baked milk bottle may not seem much in the way of a museum treasure, but Porky Johnson suspected that it might add a small piece to the jig-saw puzzle to helps The Museum of the San Fernando Valley to put together the story of our Valley. We haven;t identified the dairy yet, but the town in which the milk was produced is evident at the bottom. Yep, North Hollywood was once called Lankershim, at a time when the economy of the region was agricultural. (click on image to enlarge it.)

LORETTA YOUNG AND THE SAN FERNANDO VALLEY

CHERISHING OUR VALLEY      2012

Much of the talented life and career of the actress Loretta Young was involved in the San Fernando Valley. Oscar winning, Loretta Young was instrumental in the creation and support of Saint Charles Borromeo Catholic Church in North Hollywood.

Loretta Young - vintage postcard - gift to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley from Gary Fredburg 2012.  (click on image to enlarge it.)

FIONA THE MYSTERY DOG VISITS THE MUSEUM'S SHERMAN OAKS EXHIBIT SPACE

CHERISHING OUR VALLEY          2012

Designer Cristian Baltazar and his new pal Fiona visited The Museum's Exhibit Space in the Westfield Fashion Square in Sherman Oaks. Cristian and Fiona live in the North Hollywood Arts District.

LEARNING TO DO "THE TWIST" IN 1962

CHERISHING OUR VALLEY     2012

Is there anyone out there in The Museum's Valley that can do the "twist?"  If there is, I wonder if he or she learned how to do the dance in one hour at Veloz and Yolanda's dance studio in Sherman Oaks?

 

Gift to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley in 2012 from Gary Fredburg.  (click on image to enlarge it.)

WORLD WAR TWO WAS ONLY WEEKS AWAY

CHERISHING OUR VALLEY    2012

When this store display was created in 1941, few who encountered it would have anticipated in by the end of the year the United States of America and the Empire of Japan would clash in a catastrophic war.

Images such as this original photograph help your Museum volunteers to create the backgrounds for historic events. 

SAN FERNANDO CENTRALIZED SCHOOL COURTYARD

CHERISHING OUR VALLEY       2012

There are several places in the United States that have the name San Fernando. Let's hope that we can get evidence that collaborates this picture as our Valley's city of San Fernando. On the back of this album entry is the statement "The spray at Long Beach." that suggests the image is local.

The caption reads "The Court of the San Fernando Centralized School."  (click on image to enlarge it.)
Gift to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley from Gary Fredburg 2012.

JACK DEMPSEY 1914 - DEMPSEY AND BUSTER KEATON 1928

CHERISHING OUR VALLEY      2012

The task of identifying artifacts and photographs given to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley will always be a significant part of our Community's responsibility.  How and where do objects fit into the history of our valley?  

Here are three photographs recently added to The Museum's archives, yet to be fully vetted. Become a Museum sleuth today.  Volunteer and join The Museum of the San Fernando Valley Associates. Call 1 (818) 347-9665 and you'll be invited to the Associates' upcoming meetings. 

Jack Dempsey c. 1914 by Lehrfoto Studio in Victor, Colorado when he was still being called Kid Blackie. (click on image to enlarge it.)  Photo 5045

Beloved American comic Buster Keaton (left) with Jack Demsey the boxer. Other two men not yet identified.

THE MUSEUM OF THE SAN FERNANDO VALLEY IN THE CAMPO DE CAHUENGA NEWSLETTER

WAX MAQUETTE

In the bell cabinet, on a lower shelf adjacent to the shovel, is an Artist’s Maquette (unfinished sculptural work) created for the Bicentennial of the United States by Henry Van Wolf 1898-1982.

The rendering was intended for a bronze medallion slightly larger than a silver dollar;   depicting John C. Fremont and Andres Pico.

Henry Van Wolf was the founder of the Valley Artists Guild.  His statue of the Native “Fernando” stands in the main court yard at the Van Nuys Constituency Center. 

The Maquette is on loan to the Campo de Cahuenga Historical Memorial Association by the Museum of the San Fernando Valley.  It was a gift to them from Joseph and Ladonna Van Wolf in November 2011.  The Exhibit was set up by Gerald Fecht, President of the Museum of the San Fernando Valley.  Thank you Jerry.

MUSEUM OF THE SAN FERNANDO VALLEY ON THE MOVE

The Museum of the San Fernando Valley has just opened in a new location at Westfield Fashion Square Mall in Sherman Oaks.  For years, the Museum has been a virtual museum, storing artifacts in homes and other private locations.  The Fashion Mall has allowed the Museum to set up temporary exhibits in the empty storefront located at its south entrance.

The Museum of the San Fernando Valley began in 2005 to promote public art, conduct history tours, and collect historical artifacts, but lacked a location to display the items.  Note that elsewhere in this newsletter there is an article, the Henry Arnold Wax Maquette, that is on loan from the Museum to the Campo. We in turn gave them two display cases to help out.

Museum President Gerald Fecht, who is also on our Board of Directors, said “We  decided to take the museum to the people, as a traveling exhibit”.  This purpose is demonstrated  by the sign at their location that reads “Educate, Engage, Inspire, Preserve. The Museum is Your Museum.”

Good luck Gerald and the folks at the Museum.  To our readers and history buffs, check out the photo gallery of Valley post-war landmarks, the vintage postcards, videos of longtime Valley residents, and the oral history project funded by the City’s Cultural Affairs Department, among many more exhibits.

THE MUSEUM AND THE NORTHRIDGE PUBLIC ART PROJECT

The Northridge Public Art Project...We are proud to announce the launch of the Northridge Public Art Project,a series of partnership art partnerships and events meant to bring together community building, public art, creativity, and volunteerism to make Northridge a more beautiful community. 

The first events related to the Northridge Public Art Project are the CSUN Art Walk & Gallery Opening and the CSUN Art Gallery Annual Juried Student Art Exhibition on Friday, April 20.

We are proud to be partnering with the Museum of the San Fernando Valley, Northridge South Neighborhood Council, CSUN, local Northridge artists, and many community volunteers who are dedicated to bringing more art into the daily life of our community.

For more information, please contact Public Art Project at publicartsfv@gmai.com. 

SPECIAL TALK ON THE LIFE AND WORKS OF HENRY VAN WOLF

CHERISHING OUR VALLEY      2012

"THE INSPIRATIONS OF HENRY VAN WOLF"

Lecture with Questions and Answers by Joseph Van Wolf

Saturday, April 14^th

2:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

FREE admission - support donations are much appreciated.

Henry Van Wolf medallions available for $10 donation

 Westfield Fashion Square – event located at main entrance   on 1^st floor across from Barney’s Burgers and near See’s Candies

Join us for "THE INSPIRATIONS OF HENRY VAN WOLF" a lecture with Joe Van Wolf, son of Henry Van Wolf, sculptor, as he discusses his father's life, creation of The Fernando (current exhibit at The Museum) and inspiration.

To RSVP, please register at events@themuseumsfv.org or contact The Museum at (818) 347-9665. 

www.TheMuseumSFV.org

 Henry Van Wolf Exhibit and Lecture

MAYOR'S DAY OF SERVICE

CHERISHING OUR VALLEY     2012

On Saturday March 31st Museum representatives assisted the Studio City Neighborhood Council in the annual Mayor's Day of Service. During that time, a terrific project by the Turning Pages Foundation was underway encouraging visiting children to read and enjoy making art. An example of the terrific work being done is this apple by Gaea C. age 10. (click on the image to enlarge it.)

PHYLLIS HANSEN STROLLS ALONG THE LOS ANGELES RIVER

CHERISHING OUR VALLEY      2012

Here are four casual photographs taken by Phyllis Hansen, member of The Museum's Board, during a recent walk along the riverfront in Studio City. (Click on images to enlarge them.)

GISELE MACKENZIE "YOUR HIT PARADE STAR" OF RADIO & TELEVISION

CHERISHING OUR VALLEY   2012

By the time Gisele Mackenzie lead this group of women in 1962 in their Fashion Show to raise money for Encino Hospital, she was already a mega-star of American radio and television.

1962 Valley Que magazine. Gift to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley from Gary Fredburg 2012.

1964 Article About Henry Van Wolf

 CHERISHING OUR VALLEY     2012

The following article was in the Daily News on November 24, 1964

Van Nuys sculptor Henry Van Wolf's group of the Good Shepherd "Peace On Earth" will be unveiled today on the grounds of th Garden Grove Community Church, 12141 Lewis Street, Garden Grove. The event will be part of a program from 3:30 to 5:30 PM, which will also include unveiling of the Tower of Hope, an 18 story community structure.
Pastor of the church is Dr. Robert Schuller.

Will Start New Work
The sculptured group is 23 carat antique gilded so that it will never change color.
Garden Grove can be reached by driving out Santa Ana Freeway to the Chapman Avenue off-ramp and following Chapman to Lewis Street.  The church's bell tower is a landmark.
Van Wolf is now working on a large animal group, a jaguar fighting a 25 foot anaconda. When he is finished he will start on a large group"Christ Blessing Little Children".
He has won many national and international honors for his work, and holds 25 California awards.
Devotes Life to Art
TheVan Nuys artist is a board member of the Painters and Sculptors Club, founder and past president of the Valley Artists' Guild, fellow of the American Institute of Fine Arts, and artist member of the Federation Internationale de la Medaille.
He and his wife Veronica came to California in 1944. He built a studio in Van Nuys where he has lived ever since, devoting his time to his work.
Van Wold was born in Bavaria and educated in Munich. He studied art from childhood under some of the best known instructors.
In 1928 he left Germany for New York, where he became an American citizen, and created works which made him better known in this country.
His forthcoming "Christ Blessing Little Children" will be on commission from Inglewood Cemetery.
Latest Commissions
Some of his other recent commissions are:
>  For Saint Nicholas Episcopal Church, Encino, large sculptured bronze doors with 38 figures in high relief.
>  California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, a large bust of Albert Einstein to be erected on campus.
>  Financial Center Building, 14545 Victory Boulevard, Van Nuys, a bust of Abraham Lincoln commissioned by Martin Pollard.
>  San Fernando Methodist Church, a large head of Christ.
>  James Madison Junior High School, North Hollywood, bust of James Madison.
>  Saint Timothy Church, West Los Angeles, a Madonna.
>  New York Golf House, a statue of Ben Hogan.

The Museum 2012 Speaker Series - Bronwyn Ralph, author

Attendees to the April 7th Speaker Series at The Museum's space at Westfield Fashion Square with author Bronwyn Ralph were treated to a nice presentation on her book, "Off the Beaten Path."  She discussed many historic and interesting places to visit in the San Fernando Valley such as Andres Pico Adobe in Mission Hills, Campo de Cahuenga in Universal City/North Hollywood, Wildlife Center in Sylmar and Los Encinos State Park in Encino.

Many attendees were from the valley, but had not been to many of these sites.  Bronwyn's book is available for purchase for $14.95 each.  Interested parties can contact her at bronwyn.ralph@themuseumsfv.org.

Bronwyn is also a member of The Museum's board of directors.

The 2012 Speaker Series continues in April with weekly events. Please go to http://www.themuseumsfv.org/events/speaker-series to review list of events.

JOE'S SHELL STATION IN STUDIO CITY c. 1938

CHERISHING OUR VALLEY     2012

Mr. David Lashmet, who lives now in Orange County, California, has asked The Museum Community to help him put together some missing pieces of his family's history. Guiseppi Filippini and his wife were from Italy. Joe ran the gas station and his wife procured the "Imported Italian Foods."

Joe's Shell Station and Italian Food 1935 - 1938   Studio City?  - Ventura Boulevard

(click on image to enlarge it.)

"I'm attaching a photo of my grandfather's SHELL station he ran from around 1935-1938.  It was located on Ventura Blvd. between Tujunga and Vineland.  My grandmother had a small restaurant next to it during the same time."  The actor Frederick March used to frequent her establishment.  "Some research, though, shows that March spent most of his home life back east.  He must have visited her place during the "filming" season (ha ha ha)."

"My mother attended the following schools in North Hollywood: Rio Vista Elementary, Lankershim Elementary, North Hollywood. Junior High (since renamed to Walter Reed Middle School, and North Hollywood High School.  She graduated from high school in Jan '48. Any photos or videos you might have of these schools during the late 30s - 40s would be appreciated. Plus, any other photos of Ventura Blvd. in the same general locale as their SHELL station would be appreciated. Any videos of the El Portal theater from the early 40s would be great, too."

"I also found the video on-line of you and the "museum" doing a tour of various local sites. Your role was explaining Alan Ladd's hamburger stand, etc.  I found this interesting, especially since he was one of my mom's favorite actors during that time."*

"Well, thanks for keeping the SFV history available to everyone. Again, thanks for all you and the staff do.  Sincerely,   David Lashmet"

RADIO 100.3 FM INTERVIEWS LEADERS OF THE MUSEUM OF THE SAN FERNANDO VALLEY

 CHERISHING OUR VALLEY       2012

Tina Mica of Radio 100.3 FM "The Sound" interviews Michel Stevens on March 30th in the mid-Wilshire district on its program, "5900 Wilshire." Michel, a member of The Museum's Board of Directors, oversees The Museum's marketing and development efforts. 

100.3 FM The Sound, a major music station in greater Los Angeles.   

Michel Stevens and Dr. Jerry Fecht, president of The Museum, explained to "The Sound's" radio audience the ever expanding roles of your Museum in the cultural life of the San Fernando Valley.