SEEING THE SAN FERNANDO VALLEY THROUGH CAPTURED GERMAN TELESCOPES FROM WORLD WAR ONE

BUILDING A GREAT MUSEUM FOR THE SAN FERNANDO VALLEY

Soon Northridge visitors will be treated to an handsome new mural showing scenes from the old time religious colony of Zelzah. Under the direction of Museum Board Member, Roger Dolin, the exciting new mural will be among the first to be painted through The Museum's Public Arts Initiative. Murals have been a part of Valley life since the Tongva people (Ferdinandinos) decorated the walls of the chapel of the Mission of San Fernando Rey de España.

Photograph of German telescopes' promotion c. 1920 - Gift to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley from Gary Fredburg 2014.  (click on image to enlarge it.) How many of these Valley locations can you identify today?

At the onset of World War I, Germany and Switzerland were considered the finest optical manufacturers in the world. Seeing the San Fernando Valley through the "Kaiser's Telescopes" was a chance to share in America's victory of the Central Powers.