MEGA ENTERTAINER OZZIE NELSON MADE THE SAN FERNANDO VALLEY HIS HOME

 CHERISHING OUR VALLEY                2013

Oswald George "Ozzie" Nelson 

March 20, 1906 – June 3, 1975

 Photo autographed to Ralph Muzzillo Sr, while Ralph was living in Encino. Courtesy of Ralph Muzzillo Jr. 2013  (click to enlarge this image.) 

Born Oswald George Nelson, Ozzie Nelson was destined to become a major big-band era band leader. Ozzie married his lead singer Harriett Hillard, who with their sons David and Ricky formed one of American radio and television's most important situation comedies, the Adventures of Ozzie and Harriett Show. 

Ozzie, Hariett (Hilliard)  and Ricky Nelson are buried in the San Fernando Valley in the Forest Lawn Cemetery Hollywood Hills, overlooking Burbank. The Nelsons made their home in Studio City.

VAN WOLF SCULPTURE OF LINCOLN IN MEDITATION IN BURBANK LIBRARY

DISCOVERING OUR VALLEY    2011

In 1962, San Fernando Valley sculptor Henry Van Wolf completed the long admired bust of President Abraham Lincoln in Meditation. I haven't had the opportunity to read its dedication plaque but have the strong suspicion that it was a donation of the long established Pomeroy family in that community (A Pomeroy married into the Burbank family about the same time the town was founded).

Pomeroy family members with the Henry Van Wolf bust of Abraham Lincoln on September 19th, 1975. Photo gift to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley from Joseph Van Wolf November 2011.  (click on image to enlarge) Refer to Museum photo 1011-129-4089

Inscription on back of photo reads:

"Central Library Burbank Sept. 19, 1975.

Mr. and Mrs. Richard Pomeroy, Helen Pomeroy Sullivan (Mrs. Davis) Frances Muir Pomeroy, girl Margaret Pomeroy, Mrs. Charles Pomeroy, son Vance, Mr. and Mrs. (Doris) H. Greenam, Charles Pomeroy and May Fox Pomeroy."

NORTHRIDGE FASHION CENTER 1975

2010 THE YEAR OF VALLEY ADVENTURES

Northridge Fashion Center 1975

It's been over three decades since the Northridge Fashion Center opened its doors to the San Fernando Valley and beyond.

SNOW ABOVE THE SAN FERNANDO VALLEY - JUST DREAMING!

2009 - The Year of Valley History

Fabulous San Fernando Valley - vintage postcard - 1975 - gift to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley from Gerald Fecht - 2009

One of the exciting parts about working to bring about a great Museum of history and culture for the greater San Fernando Valley is meeting people with a genuine interest in our historical heritage. At the recent paper and postcard show in Glendale, I had just found this charming postcard from 1975 of snow on the San Gabriel Mountains. I was marveling at the message side of the card, that had detailed information about a woman named Luisa who was sending to "Cinema Concurso 34" at KMEX TV Channel in Hollywood, her address, telephone number and social security number..... wow! I wondered how much identity theft went on in the mid- '70s? I bought the postcard for a dollar and put it in a bag with other little treasures in The Museum's Library.
Just then, Gary Fredburg (Secretary of The Museum) introduced me to Barry O. Balin, a resident of Woodland Hills. Mr. Balin, I discovered is an historical archivist with a significant interest in San Fernando Valley history. As I was leaving, I told Barry the same thing I have told many of you, "Now you have your very own Museum."