I ASKED JUDY BACA FOR HER AUTOGRAPH IN 1974

BUILDING A GREAT MUSEUM FOR THE SAN FERNANDO VALLEY

In 1974, my Moorpark College colleague Bruce Boettcher and I explored Los Angeles in preparation for a class we called The City As Art.

In the Tujunga Wash in Valley Glen, at the edge of Los Angeles Valley College, we climbed down into the riverbed to see Judy Baca and her students working on a fabulous mural. Called "The Great Wall of Los Angeles", the work is the longest mural in the world. 

I had an artist's notebook with me, and asked Judy for her autograph. She said, "Sure, and I'll give you my hand print too!"  Not to be overlooked, a 14 year old boy Leo, working next to the great mural painter said, "How about me, I'm a great artist too!"

I've decided to give the two hand prints and autographs to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley as the museum prepares to open its first headquarters' space in a few weeks.

Judy Baca, Great Wall of Los Angeles autographs 1974. Gift to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley from Gerald Fecht 2014.  (click on images to enlarge them.)

AMIEE SEMPLE McPHERSON WAS A FAMOUS FAITH HEALER

BUILDING A GREAT MUSEUM FOR THE SAN FERNANDO VALLEY

In the late 1930s and mid 1940s, Amiee Semple McPherson was one of the most successful Protestant religious leaders in the United States. "Sister Amiee" utilized modern stage and motion picture technologies to reach her revival-like audiences.  Four Valley Four Square churches were created by her followers, including the mega Church on the Way in Van Nuys.Amiee McPherson is buried in Forest Lawn Cemetery in Glendale.

 AMIEE SEMPLE McPHERSON

Oct. 1890 - September 1944

Amiee Semple McPherson - two collector's postcards - Gift to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley from Gerald Fecht 2014.  (click on images to enlarge them.)

BOB'S BIG BOY BECAME A NATIONAL ICON

BUILDING A GREAT MUSEUM FOR THE SAN FERNANDO VALLEY

Two years before the establishment of the Little Brown Church in Studio City, Bob Wian owner of Bob's Pantry in Glendale created a new hamburger sandwich that changed the eating preferences of an entire generation of Americans....... it was the Bob's Big Boy! So symbolic of being a California teenager,  that the image of the chubby Big Boy became an national icon.

Today, Bob's Big Boy memorabilia are highly collected treasures, This shelf that I saw in a recent visit to a Lake Balboa home is but one example.

THE LITTLE BROWN CHURCH WAS OPENED IN 1939

BUILDING A GREAT MUSEUM FOR THE SAN FERNANDO VALLEY

The Little Brown Church Studio City - 1939 - historic postcard - Gift to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley from Gary Fredburg 2014.  (click on image to enlarge it.)

Three years before the San Fernando Valley found itself part of the Second World War, a tiny Protestant chapel was established in Studio City. Today, the historic structure is primarily a wedding site but still houses a small and devoted congregation. The wedding place of President Ronald Regan and his wife Nancy, the modest chapel has been host to many celebrity marriages.

NORTHRIDGE SERVICEMAN DUDLEY AMBROSE WAS IN HARM'S WAY IN WORLD WAR II

BUILDING A GREAT MUSEUM FOR THE SAN FERNANDO VALLEY

                                                            Dudley C. Amrose Jr.
1943 Valley Times Honor Roll Album - Gift to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley from Dennis Spiegelman  2014.  (click on image to enlarge it.)    

"Dudley C Ambrose Junior, is a storekeeper with the Merchant Marine, which he entered June 2, 1941, but has had much overseas duty in that branch of the service. He has been on convoy convoy duty since Pearl Harbor and seen action at Pearl Harbor, Guadalcanal, in Australia, New Zealand and other South Pacific islands. On one trip he was wounded by shrapnel from a Japanese dive bomber. His parents, Mr. and Mrs. DC Ambrose live at ---- Jellico Ave., Northridge."

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The Museum of the San Fernando Valley

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