PRECIOUS MODELS FOR ST. NICHOLAS DOORS IN ENCINO

CHERISHING OUR VALLEY      2012

A dozen plaster models and casting molds for the doors of Saint Nicholas Anglican Church in Encino have been found.  The precious artifacts allow the viewed a very personal insight into the thinking and workmanship of the Van Nuys based artist Henry Van Wolf as he was building the magnificent doors of the Encino sanctuary. Donated to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley by Joe and Ladonna Van Wolf, the artifacts are a priceless addition to the cultural heritage of the San Fernando Valley.

 Bronze entry doors of Saint Nicholas Anglican Church in Encino by Valley artist Henry Van Wolf. (photo by Gerald Fecht 2009 - click to enlarge)

Plaster images by Henry Van Wolf - Gift to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley from Joe and Ladonna Van Wolf 2012 - (click on images to enlarge them._

 Plaster casting mold by Henry Van Wolf for the doors of St. Nicholas church in Encino.

Hidden positioning markers for plaster moldings by Henry Van Wolf.

If you agree with The Museum Community that splendid art works by San Fernando Valley artists, like these models by the Van Nuys artist Henry Van Wolf should be protected and exhibited for the edification of all the residents of the great San Fernando Valley - JOIN WITH US TODAY!

Scott Sterling
Chairman for the Public Arts Program

The Museum of the San Fernando Valley
21031 Ventura Blvd., Suite 419
Woodland Hills, CA 91364-2230

THE MUSEUM’S TELEPHONE
1 (818) 347-9665

THE MUSEUM'S EMAILS
gerald.fecht@TheMuseumSFV.org
info@TheMuseumSFV.org

THE MUSEUM’S BLOG

www.museumsanfernandovalley.blogspot.com/

THE MUSEUM’S WEBSITE

www.TheMuseumSFV.org

MORE L.A. ARCHIVES BAZAAR

CHERISHING OUR VALLEY                   2012

Lisa Davis (seated) explains The Museum of the San Fernando Valley's commitment to the two million residents of the greater San Fernando Valley. Ms. Davis is a newly elected member of the Studio City Neighborhood Council and a Museum volunteer. (photos by Lee Davis -  click on image to enlarge)

Gary Fredburg (left) discusses the value of paper memorabilia to a visitor at The Museum's booth at the LA Archives Bazaar. Mr. Fredburg exemplifies the dedication of our organization's working Board. (photos by Lee Davis -  click on image to enlarge)

Ken Bernstein (left) talks with Lisa Davis about the exciting growth of The Museum. Mr. Bernstein is the  Manager of the Office of Historic Resources and Principal Planner of the Citywide Planning Division for the City of Los Angeles' Department of City Planning.

LA Archive Bazaar visitors sign up for The Museum's walking tours of historic North Hollywood and Van Nuys. Gary Fredburg explains The Museum's children's programs to a mother and her kids.

CALABASAS PUMPKIN FESTIVAL

CHERISHING OUR VALLEY           2012

Early Spanish colonists in the San Fernando Valley named the far end of the San Fernando Valley for the wild gourds and pumpkins, the calabasas, that grew there. No city has a more appropriate celebration that the Calabasas Pumpkin Festival. Here are a few of my favorite photographs that I took of the event.  (Click on images to enlarge them.)

 Jake becomes Pumpkin Boy.

 Reptile Man fascinates a crowd admirers.

California live oaks (los encinos) overlook the festival site.

MUSEUM PARTICIPATES IN THE L.A. ARCHIVES BAZAAR

 CHERISHING OUR VALLEY          2012

Lee Davis (seated) speaks with Fred Berk at the L.A. Archives Bazaar at the University of Southern California. Lee, a new Board Member of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley, is the Chairman of our Valley Notables project and Museum affiliations. Fred Berk is the founding Librarian of The Museum.  (click on photograph to enlarge it - Photograph by Board Member Phyllis Hansen.)

Representatives from many Los Angeles most important historical and cultural archives met at USC's Edward l. Doheny Jr Library. (Photograph by Phyllis Hansen 2012)
 

MORE CANTARA STREET SCHOOL PHOTOS

CHERISHING OUR VALLEY               2012

Here are two more great Cantara Street School photos, gifts from Gary Fredburg to The Museum of The San Fernando Valley.  (Click on photographs to enlarge them.)

 Mr. Stevenson's 5th grade class at Cantara Street School - April 1967

Mrs Sando's 6th grade class at Cantara Street School in April 1968

RESEDA AT 100 - CANTARA STREET SCHOOL

CHERISHING OUR VALLEY                 2012

Here are a few class photographs from Cantara Street School in Reseda. They are a gift from Gary Fredburg to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley to honor the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Reseda Community. 

Mrs. Brody's First Grade Class - Cantara Street School  May 1963

(click on image to enlarge it)

Mrs. Eloe - grade 3 - 1964 - 1965

Mrs Dangel  Grade 4 1965 - 1966

Miss Wheaton  Grade 2 - 1963 - 1964

 

Miss Mizutani - Kindergarten - May 1962

Willard Simms is the Chairman of The Museum's Education Committee.

LUCILLE BALL - SAN FERNANDO VALLEY NOTABLE

CHERISHING OUR VALLEY              2012

Music score for "Hey, Look Me Over" featuring Lucille Ball. Music by Cy Coleman with lyrics by Carolyn Leigh.  Gift to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley from Gary Fredburg 2012. (click on image to enlarge it.)

 In 1960, the San Fernando Valley's mega-comedian Lucille Ball opened in the Broadway show "Wildcat".  Lucille Ball's illustrious career is a major focus of The Museum's Library of San Fernando Valley Entertainment Industry History.

Leading the effort to build a San Fernando Valley list of notables is Lee Davis, Board Member of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley. This list provides very important evidence of our region's creative capacities. and provides role models for our school children in science, technology and the arts.
Assisting Lee Davis in his efforts is Museum Associate, Abby Marie is specializing on Valley notables who have made major contributions in the comedic arts.

GARY FREDBURG CHAIRS MUSEUM'S ACQUISITIONS COMMITTEE

CHERISHING OUR VALLEY       2012

Charged with acquiring and verifying The Museum's growing collections of San Fernando Valley history and culture, is Gary Fredburg of Burbank. Long before he became a member of The Museum's Board of Directors, Mr. Fredburg has been involved in the buying and selling of paper memorabilia. One look at this blog of The Museum and the viewer will see the significant number of artifacts that he has donated to The Museum's ever growing archives. As Vice President of The Museum, Gary is a member of the organization's Executive Committee.

Typical of the treasures Gary Fredburg has contributed for the education and enjoyment of San Fernando Valley residents, and those who follow The Museum on line is this June 24, 1937 program from North Hollywood High School.

DAY OF THE HORSE

THE UNION PACIFIC MUSEUM IN OMAHA, NEBRASKA

CHERISHING OUR VALLEY      2012

As a 7th grader, I went to Saint Peter's Catholic school in Omaha, Nebraska.  With the city's great public transportation, I was free to explore that wonderful city. One of the places I haunted was the Union Pacific Museum downtown, where I drew pictures of its treasures and made notes. 

One afternoon, the lady at the museum desk who knew me by name said to me "Jerry, the man across the hallway has a present for you."

 I found myself in what was for me at the time, a huge room. A tall, very distinguished man, approached and said, "_______ (the desk clerk's name) tells me that you have a real love of history. Would you like this world globe?" I was amazed. It was a beautiful globe with brass fittings,
sitting in a mahogany stand. "I'll have it delivered to your home."

The globe vanished in one of my many childhood moves (I went to 11 primary and secondary schools). But, I memorized all of the countries of the world (The British Empire nations were always in pink.) and used the Union Pacific globe to locate places from where the stamps in my little collection came.

The man, I later learned was the President of the Union Pacific Railroad. He, no doubt, soon had a more up-to-date globe, but his thoughtful gift and his wonderful museum enriched the life of a  little boy beyond measure. I never lost my love for museums.

 A great Museum can change people's lives. Making The Museum of the San Fernando Valley accessible, especially for children, is one of our major priorities. 

CELEBRITY MARRIAGES AT THE LITTLE BROWN CHURCH

CHERISHING OUR VALLEY        2012

Our Museum Ally, Mary Mallory shares this great list of notables who were married in the Little Brown Church in Studio City.   Thanks Mary!

The list of celebrities.

Cliff Arquette/Darlene Sammons March 1946
Janis Paige/Frank Martinelli December 27, 1947
Mary Beth Hughes/David Street April 29, 1948

Marjorie Hunt/Arthur Pierson June 1950
Ronald Reagan/Nancy Davis March 4, 1952
Herbert Yates/Vera Hruba Ralston March 12, 1952
Jack Carson/Lola Albright August 1952
Frank Westmore/Ginger Clayton August 1952
Tom Tully/Ida Johnson June 1954, director Don Siegel was Best Man
Bud Westmore/Jeanne Shores April 1, 1955

A. C. Lyles/Martha Schaefer May 4, 1955
Frank C. Westmore/Johnnie Fay Rector June 1955
Doye O'Dell/Joan Barton August 1955
Julie Van Zandt/Robert Rains February 14, 1958
Ty Hardin/Audra Martin August 30, 1958
Gil Stratton/D'Arline Marie Norvas March 1961
Charles Chaplin Jr/Marta Brown April 1962
Thelma England Blount/Tom Wilck June 1962 (she was Walt Disney's secretary and he gave her away)
Cissy Wellman/Bob Donner December 12, 1965
Patty Duke/Harry Falk Jr. November 26, 1965

Maggie Wellman/Mike Conway September 6, 1969

Richard Roundtree/Karen Clemia August 30, 1980


Boxer James Jeffries memorial service was held here on March 7, 1953.

In an article about Yates and Ralston getting their marriage license, their addresses were listed as:
Yates--14050 Valley Vista
Ralston--3683 Dixie Canyon

ERIC GARCETTI SPEAKS TO THE MUSEUM COMMUNITY

CHERISHING OUR VALLEY                   2012

     What are the candidates for Mayor of Los Angeles positions on the arts, the entertainment industry and our history? Where do they stand on support of San Fernando Valley culture?  To answer these and other important questions relating to the quality of life in our Valley, The Museum;s Education Committee, headed by Board Members Williard Simms and Rania Pallad held our first Candidates' reception at their home in Tarzana this last Saturday.

     Mayoral candidate Eric Garcetti spent over an hour with representatives of The Museum Community, Valley arts organizations and Tarzana citizens this last Sunday. Mr. Garcetti, a Rhodes Scholar and City Councilman from Hollywood, was raised in the San Fernando Valley. His motto for greater Los Angeles is "Where Creativity Lives." 

Karen Reich, Eric Garcetti and Jerry Fecht.

Ms. Reich and Dr. Fecht are members of The Museum's Board of Directors.

Chairman of The Museum's Arts Initiative and City Councilman Eric Garcetti

Dr. Jerry Fecht asks questions of Mr. Garcetti about his commitment to
the arts and the history of the San Fernando Valley.

KEN INGHAM'S SPIDER GATE

CHERISHING OUR VALLEY                2012

Jerry Fecht will be giving an especially eerie talk on Ghostly Legends of the San Fernando Valley and Lost Mysteries of Halloween on October 25th in old Campo de Cahuenga.  Seating is limited for human beings, so reservations are strongly advised. A bit too scary for kids.  Donations are $ 5 or more (who knows who may be watching your generosity.) Proceeds support the Campo - birthplace of California. Starts at 7:30 pm.

email:    campodecahuenga1847@hotmail.com

The Spider Gate of Woodland Hills, made by the late Ken Ingham.

WILLARD SIMMS DIRECTS NEW PLAY ABOUT ABRAHAM LINCOLN

CHERISHING OUR VALLEY        2012

 Willard Simms

Tarzana theatrical director and playwright, Willard Simms displays the poster for his latest production of Johnny Dark's "Abraham Lincoln: American Underdog" which had its premier last week in the College of the Canyons. Mr. Simms is the Education Chairman and Board member of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley. Simms, who is president of Theatre of Will, recently was the master of ceremonies for the Edgar Rice Burroughs celebration at the Tarzana Community Center.

THE KYLE FAMILY IN THE SUMMER OF 1959

CHERISHING OUR VALLEY                 2012

Here are four charming photographs of the Kyle family taken in 1959. They were sent by email from Texas from Janice Lea Brisco Kyle and Peter Kyle.

 Peter Edson Kyle on the horse is in Canoga Park in July of 1959.  (click on image to enlarge)

Alice May Woodcock Kyle and her daughter Patricia Ann Kyle at the beach where
Topanga Canyon meets the Pacific Coast Highway in 1959.

 Edson Huntington Kyle in in Topanga Canyon Pass Summer of 1959.  

SANTA BARBARA

CHERISHING OUR VALLEY             2012

One of the most beloved saints venerated by San Fernando Valley residents from the Spanish and Mission era to modern times is Saint Barbara. Images of Santa Barbara can be readily identified by her stance on a rook / castle tower, the palm leaf of martyrdom, and on occasion the sword used by her father to behead her.

Santa Barbara is the patron saint of canon makers. In this statue in the Mission Santa Barbara, she holds a relic wand.

MICKEY ROONEY BELOVED VALLEY PERFORMER

CHERISHING OUR VALLEY               2012

One of the most loved performers of his era was San Fernando Valley movie actor, Mickey Rooney. Here is photographed with the great Judy Garland in the film Strike Up The Band in 1942. (If I am right, this was about the same time that UCLA adopted the music Strike Up The Band as its football fight song.)