THREE VINTAGE IMAGES OF THE SAN FERNANDO VALLEY

CHERISHING OUR VALLEY          2012

These three images from the San Fernando Valley are from vintage postcards given to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley by Gary Fredburg in 2012.  (click on images to enlarge them.)

Paradise Park's Camp Playtime - 5520 Van Nuys Boulevard in Van Nuys. STate 6-6811 - date of postcard is unknown.

 Hollywood Freeway looking into the San Fernando Valley - The caption on the card sates that "Hollywood seen in the distance.  I think the caption is in error and that the view is looking into the Valley.
The card was mailed in 1968 to Mr. and Mrs. A. J. McCreary - 228 Alton Street in Battle Creek, Michigan. The card reads:
"Hi Pals, Well the plane stayed up. Little heavy on one side. Boy there is no other way to go. Never thank the ground from B.C. to here. Go into Chicago on ramp. See lots things. Going to Disneyland Sun. H. going fishing Sat.   see you   Katherine Harold."

Jim Gentry's Safari Room - 15426 Devonshire, Mission Hills, California - When in San Fernando -= visit Jim Gentry's Fin and Feather - 800 San Fernando Road.

HARRY S. TRUMAN CAMPAIGNS FOR U.S. VICE PRESIDENT

CHERISHING OUR VALLEY               2012

Among artifacts recently donated to The Museum's archives of our political history is an 8 page brochure of the life and political history of Senator Harry S. Truman. Such documents not only provide information about candidates asking for San Fernando Valley votes, but reveal political strategies as well.  Here Senator, later to become President, Harry Truman presents himself as the ideal partner with President Franklin Delano Roosevelt.   

Political Archives

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VERY EARLY PHOTOGRAPHS OF CAHUENGA PASS

CHERISHING OUR VALLEY              2012

Little by little, The Museum's archives are amassing an impressive history of the San Fernando Valley.  These two very early photographs of the Cahuenga Pass are important examples of how pieces of our historic puzzle are put together.  

Cahuenga Pass - date unknown - Gift to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley from Gary Fredburg 2012 - (click on image to enlarge it.)

      Great photographs like the one above often pose as many new questions as they answer.  What was this very impressive building or complex at the right? Future technologies may be able to use geological features in the photograph to give a precise location. In the meanwhile, it is your Museum's responsibility to care for the original images and share copies with scholars.

A stream leading into the Universal City, Studio City, North Hollywood area from the Cahuenga Pass- date unknown. Acquired by the donor Gary Fredburg at the same time as the overview photograph above.

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The Museum of the San Fernando Valley
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LA's MAYOR SAM YORTY LIVED IN THE SAN FERNANDO VALLEY

CHERISHING OUR VALLEY                 2012

Sam Yorty was a full-time politician who was elected to the US Congress, the California State Legislature and for a dozen year ... the Mayor of Los Angles. Sam, who lived in Studio City, seldom dodged giving his opinion about almost everything. He died in the Encino-Tarzana Medical Center.

This year Joe and Ladonna Van Wolf gave your Museum an heroic bronze bust of this love-him or hate-him mayor.

 Sam Yorty Political Memorabilia - Collection of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley 2012.
(Click on images to enlarge them.)

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The Museum of the San Fernando Valley
21031 Ventura Blvd., Suite 419
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THE MUSEUM’S TELEPHONE
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THE MUSEUM'S EMAILS
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info@TheMuseumSFV.org

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THE ROAD TO THE SAN FERNANDO VALLEY

CHERISHING OUR VALLEY      2012

Among America's best loved comedy films of the 1940s and 50s were the famous "Road" movies of Bob Hope, Bing Crosby and Dorothy Lamour. All three blockbuster performers and supporters of the U.S.O. lived in Toluca Lake / North Hollywood.

 Dorothy Lamour, Bing Crosby and Bob Hope - San Fernando Valley residents in 1940

 Hamming it up in a Road Movie were Hope, Lamour and Crosby (click on images to enlarge them)

The Life of Bob Hope, "They Got Me Covered" - 1941 first edition - Gift to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley from Gary Fredburg 2012. 

SUPPORT YOUR MUSEUM

Library of San Fernando Valley Entertainment Industry History.

A SPANISH MISSION TO SPACE SHUTTLE

CHERISHING OUR VALLEY                2012

     Just for the adventure of it, I drove to the Lankershim Bridge in North Hollywood this morning, in hopes of seeing the final flight of the Space Shuttle Endeavor. It was a splendid experience. As I shared the experience with lots of others, I thought of Constable Wilson Weddington capturing two no good bandits at the south side of the original bridge, where I was standing.  I mused as how the Tongva made their camps and hunted by the Los Angeles River only a few feet away.  Great  Carl Lemley created Universal Studios at the site, a hundred years ago.  Below the aircraft, Col. John C. Fremont and General Andres Pico signed the accord that completed America's Manifest Destiny at Campo de Cahuenga less than a city block away.

   Then ............ from the West, above Ventura Boulevard (El Camino Real) it came!  The crowd pointed and cheered Endeavor America's wonderful Space Achievement, On the back the great aircraft. the shuttle secured above, protected by two guardian jets. 

    Today, yet another milestone in San Fernando Valley history. Hurrah!

 Main Altar of the Chapel - Mission San Fernando de España - Mission Hills - Vintage Postcard
Gift to the Museum of theSan Fernando Valley from Marty Puskas in memory of his mother Ann Stromberg Puskas.  (click on image to enlarge it.)
"Mission San Fernando - Founded September 8, 1797 - The colorful Indian designs compliment the statue of Saint Ferdinand King of Spain over the main altar. The statue, fashioned from wood and plaster was made in Spain, is over 300 years old. 

 Governor's Room in the Mission San Fernando. Gift to the Museum of theSan Fernando Valley from Marty Puskas in memory of his mother Ann Stromberg Puskas.  (click on image to enlarge it.)
"Among the notables who enjoyed the Mission's hospitality were Bishop Garcia Diego, Governor Pio Pico and Col. John C. Fremont.

Two Escaray Bells from Spain, cast in 1686 and 1720, hang from an original beam from the Mission Chapel constructed in 1806.
Gift to the Museum of theSan Fernando Valley from Marty Puskas in memory of his mother Ann Stromberg Puskas.  (click on image to enlarge it.)

SUPPORT 

The Museum of the San Fernando Valley
21031 Ventura Blvd., Suite 419
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THE MUSEUM’S TELEPHONE
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REMEMBERING CORITA KENT - THE GREAT GRAPHIC ARTIST

CHERISHING OUR VALLEY         2012

Bob Peppermuller has done it again. Check out what he has to say about one of America's most important graphic artists, who had her studio in North Hollywood. Next to the address on the door is "Sister" Corita's famous "Love" poster? (click on image to enlarge it.)

RICHARD HILTON INTERVIEWS THE TAMARA FAMILY

CHERISHING OUR VALLEY          2012

On Monday, December 8, 1941 two Japanese-American farm kids went as usual to their classes at San Fernando High School. There they heard about the attack on Pearl Harbor and the impending war between the United States and the Empire of Japan. By March of 1942 they would find their lives turned upside down as their families were sent to the U.S. internment camp in Manzanar. 

One of the first things that young Americans of Japanese descent did at Manzanar was to establish a baseball league. One of the teams in the league was the San Fernando Valley Aces. Only two members of that historic team remain in 2012.  (click on images to enlarge them.)

 George Tamura of Mission Hills holds a photograph of his San Fernando Valley Aces team.

As part of The Museum's "Narrating Lives - Oral Histories of the San Fernando Valley, Richard Hilton relaxes after his interview with the Tamura family. Left to right are William Tamura (nephew of George Tamara, whose father was a member of the San Fernando Valley Aces), Miye Tamura, George Tamura and Museum Board member Richard Hilton. Miye and George were married shortly after their families were released from Manzinar.

Miye Tamura was the first of her family to return to their farm house near San Fernando. She became a beautician after her release from Manzanar.

William Tamura holds a photograph of his father and his uncle George Tamura, members of the San Fernando Valley Aces at the Manzinar camp. William is a retired science teacher.

Wall screen in the home of Miye and George Tamura in Mission Hills.

Interested in being part of the Narrating Lives - Oral Histories of the San Fernando Valley project?

CONTACT

Richard Hilton - Chair - Narrating Lives

The Museum of the San Fernando Valley
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WHEN ARTS EDUCATION WAS EXPECTED IN VALLEY EDUCATION

CHERISHING OUR VALLEY                2012

In the 1960s, the arts and music were viewed as a natural part of public education in the San Fernando Valley.  In the Creative Capital of the World, arts education is not a luxury but an essential preparation for jobs and our economy.

The Dance Band - Van Nuys Junior High School - Winter 1960 - Mustang Yearbook.

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

SUPPORT YOUR MUSEUM'S EFFORTS IN THE ARTS

Contact 
Scott Sterling

Arts Project Chariman

The Museum of the San Fernando Valley
21031 Ventura Blvd., Suite 419
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THE MUSEUM’S TELEPHONE
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THE MUSEUM'S EMAILS
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info@TheMuseumSFV.org

THE MUSEUM’S BLOG

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THE MUSEUM’S WEBSITE

www.TheMuseumSFV.org

WHEN THE VALLEY MEANT 'WHEAT"

CHERISHING OUR VALLEY           2012

Lots of people believe that before the great aqueducts were built, the San Fernando Valley was a desert. It's true that our vast Valley has long been an arid place, but it has always had a water supply. And at one time wheat was our most important crop. Agriculture has been part of Valley history. long before imported water.

 Wheat farm in the San Fernando Valley the close of the 19th century.

I. N. Van Nuys lived in this important ranch house, from which wheat production operations formed one of the first great economic engines of the San Fernando Valley. The photo was taken around 1882.

VANCE T. MEYER VISITS THE MUSEUM'S SPACE

CHERISHING OUR VALLEY          2012

Vance Meyer visits The Museum space during its last week in Sherman Oaks.

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      Vance Meyer graduated from Burbank High School in 1956. He completed his studies at Los Angeles Valley College in 1959 and transferred to San Fernando Valley State College (later - Cal State Northridge.) At the university, Meyer was the first president of Pi Kappa Tau, a fraternity later to become a chapter of Sigma Alpha Epsilon. Vance was a founding member of the Maple Leaf Society, a community college support organization. The society is an outgrowth of the Phi Delta Psi Fraternity.

        Mr. Meyer is the retired chairman of the Chairman of Pardee Construction Company. He served the company for 34 years.  He closed his career with Pardee with a record year in profits.  

ARTIST BARBARA KATZ BIERMAN ASSOCIATE OF THE MUSEUM

CHERISHING OUR VALLEY            2012

Barbara Katz Bierman -  Associate of The Museum  -  August 2012

 (click on image to enlarge it.)

     One of the best things to happen to The Museum Community during this year has been the inclusion of the great Barbara Katz Bierman as an Associate of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley.

    A passionate artist, Barbara not only enriches the cultural life of our region of Southern California, but inspires our future generations of artists as well.

      I just spent the last seven months in our Westfield Fashion Square Museum Space, surrounded by Barbara’s high energy paintings, rejoicing life in a kaleidoscope of colors and designs.  I love her work! The commitment of Barbara Katz Bierman to the Museum movement honors all of us who strive to bring the arts into their rightful place as paramount to life in the San Fernando Valley. 

 Learn more about Barbara Katz Bierman and her art:

http://passionatebrush.com

Contact Barbara Bierman 

Arts Project

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 PST

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

ASSOCIATE ABBY MARIE WORKS ON VALLEY COMEDY HISTORY

CHERISHING OUR VALLEY          2012

 ABBY MARIE - ASSOCIATE OF THE MUSEUM

Because The Museum is presently without an exhibit space, it's important for us to recognize the unseen and continued efforts of our many volunteers.  A member of our newly formed Associates of The Museum, Abby Marie is amassing, as part of our Entertainment Industry History, a list of entertainers who have worked or continue to work in Comedy. Abby will be adding to The Museum's calendar of Valley Notables, as well as searching for artifacts about Comedy.
Abby will seeking information about comedy writers, comedy stars of film, theater, radio, television, animation, recordings and much more.
If you have names and towns related to Valley Comedy History, please contact Abby at The Museum:

ABBY MARIE
MUSEUM COMEDY PROJECT

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 PST

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