VIERLING KERSEY LOS ANGELES VALLEY COLLEGE

CHERISHING OUR VALLEY              2013

In June of 1949, Vierling Kersey was the principal of Van Nuys High School. Kersey was selected to be the director of Los Angeles Valley College, which was at that time located on the high school campus. The college was under the jurisdiction of the Los Angeles Board of Education. It was a variation of the school district's adult education classes. 

Classes were held in world war ii military bungalows and focused on classes appealing to veterans using their GI Bill education funds.

VIERLING KERSEY

Photo from a 1950 Van Nuys High School yearbook - Gift to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley from Gary Fredburg 2013.  (click on image to enlarge)

EARLY IMAGES OF THE HISTORICAL MUSEUM AT VALLEY COLLEGE

CHERISHING OUR VALLEY             2013

Among recent gifts to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley from Barbara Silva are these images of the founding of the historical museum at Los Angeles Valley College in July 1976. The museum has been recently moved to the second floor of the new library of the college. 

Los Angeles Herald Express July 25, 1976.  " Old photo map of San Fernando Valley, being examined by Francisco Avila and Mrs. Stanley Petit, is among the 1000 pictures and maps of the Valley on exhibit in Los Angeles Valley College historical museum."

"Also on display are old newspapers with articles relating to the Valley, and news cameras used in photographing its happenings."

"Chester Tayloe, president of the museum board of directors, has made several scale model railroad displays for exhibit."

The historical museum at L.A. Valley College was formed in 1974 by professor of history Dr. James Dodson. Over the years, Austin Conover a member of the museum's board evolved into the director of the museum. "The museum was "first housed in the college's library, it later was moved to ... Bungalow 15 on campus, which happens to be the structure used as an office building when the college opened 25 years ago (1951)."
In 1976, Francisco Avila was vice president and Dr. Dallas Livingston-Little was secretary-treasurer.


The Museum of the San Fernando Valley grew out of the historical museum at Valley College.

JAMIE GILLIE COMPLETES MUSEUM PROJECT INTERNSHIP

DISCOVERING OUR VALLEY   2011

Jamie Gillie, resident of Northridge, has just completed her very successful internship on behalf of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley. To The Museum's good fortune, Scott Sterling (Chairman of The Museum's new Public Arts Committee) discovered Ms. Gillie within the terrific LA Fellows program at Los Angeles Valley College. Jamie, who is seeking experience in non-profit management, found a match in The Museum's public arts program. 

 Jamie Gillie

Ms. Gillie completed specialized non-profit career training and has completed with The Museum 100 hours of internship with the Public Arts program. Because The Museum of the San Fernando Valley is entirely composed of volunteers, Jamie Gillie's previous experience working in office management, and as a development associate, were of exceptional value to the launching of The Museum's Public Arts effort.
Thanks Jamie from the entire Museum Community. A job well done!