MUSEUM ASSOCIATES ORGANIZATION TO BE ESTABLISHED.

CHERISHING OUR VALLEY   2012

Many of you have been asking how to get involved in the Museum Community. Well, soon you will have the opportunity to become part of our all-volunteer Associates of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley. You will have the chance to keep up on the many activities and projects of The Museum, and take on one task through which you can make a real contribution to the Museum Movement.
Get you name on the Associates contract list today;  1 (818) 347-9665

Historic electric iron - Bequest to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley from Porky Johnson 2012.
This appliance must weigh 20 pounds - No need to join a gym with this thing in your life.

LANKERSHIM MILK BOTTLE GIVES A CLUE TO THE VALLEY'S PAST

CHERISHING OUR VALLEY      2012

Lankershim milk bottle - gift to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley from the late Porky Johnson.

A heavy, sun baked milk bottle may not seem much in the way of a museum treasure, but Porky Johnson suspected that it might add a small piece to the jig-saw puzzle to helps The Museum of the San Fernando Valley to put together the story of our Valley. We haven;t identified the dairy yet, but the town in which the milk was produced is evident at the bottom. Yep, North Hollywood was once called Lankershim, at a time when the economy of the region was agricultural. (click on image to enlarge it.)

CAHUENGA PASS 1899

DISCOVERING OUR VALLEY   - 2011

Among Porky Johnson's many treasures is this image of the Cahuenga Pass from 1899.  A simple thing such as a date can really help future generations to identify, enjoy and learn from photographs. If you or your associates want you photographs to be part of San Fernando Valley history contact Gary Fredburg, Museum VP at 1 (818) 347-9665. He'll guide you through the procedure.

Cahuenga Pass 1899 - (click on image to enlarge)

VALLEY SAILOR c 1943

DISCOVERING OUR VALLEY   2011

This young San Fernando Valley sailor's photo is part of a family album made for Porky Johnson as a birthday present. Porky is a mere 86 years old.

Securing the histories of San Fernando Valley servicemen and women is a major concern for your Museum. We'll identify this young sailor soon. Will your family members and their histories go unrecorded?        The Museum of the San Fernando Valley   1 (818) 347-9665

THE TOUGHEST GUY IN THE SAN FERNANDO VALLEY

DISCOVERING OUR VALLEY  -  2011

86 year old Porky Johnson of North Hollywood, pointing to these photographs from the 1940s, that Chris Jensen was the toughest guy in the San Fernando Valley. He was the toughest in Burbank, North Hollywood - all over the Valley. He was one tough guy!"

 Chris Jensen was a boxer in the 1940s, and according to Porky Johnson, he was the toughest guy in town.

Porky Johnson on the right and his pal Chris Jensen. - Photos in the Archives of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley, courtesy of Porky - and, his daughter who made the scrapbook.

DISCOVERY OF PORKY JOHNSON MAY HELP WITH 2011 BLUES.

2010   THE YEAR OF VALLEY ADVENTURES

The grand Porky Johnson of North Hollywood knows an amazing amount of San Fernando Valley history, perhaps because he has physically rescued so much of it. I thought, considering that it is New Year's Eve, one of Porky's discoveries might be useful as a suggestion for tomorrow's condition. Jerry

THEN AND NOW - 71 YEARS AGO IN NORTH HOLLYWOOD

2010  THE YEAR OF VALLEY ADVENTURES

5300 Tujunga Avenue, North Hollywood - looking East on Weddington Street. The youth in the foreground is Porky Johnson, who at 85 gave this above photograph to The Museum, When I called him about this picture, Porky said it was taken around 1939. If you click on the above photo, one can see the palm trees, still there but better trimmed.

I took this photograph on Dec. 1st 2010.

Make your family photographs part of San Fernando Valley history. Support your Museum today - call 1 (818) 347-9665 to save your history.

A DAY WITH "PORKY" JOHNSON

2010  THE YEAR OF VALLEY ADVENTURES

One of the most interesting people in the San Fernando Valley is "Porky" Johnson, Country-Western Music Historian. At 86, Porky is busy in his North Hollywood workshop restoring and preserving vital elements of Valley and American music history. Filled with fascinating stories, Porky is determined to share his historical memorabilia with future generations. Here is a sample of his legacy.

 Porky was about 18 years old when this photograph was taken of him at the eastern edge of North Hollywood Park. The automobiles parked behind him are facing South on Tujunga Avenue. The telephone poles go East on Weddington Street. 

 Porky Johnson holds a blue ribbon that he won in 1939 in a bicycle race. He's pretty sure that this helped create his lifelong love of racing.(click on image to enlarge)

 Porky Johnson rewarded himself last year with the first new motorcycle he's ever owned --- for his 85th birthday.  (Photo for the Archives of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley by Gerald Fecht - November 2010. - click on image to enlarge)

 Doye O'Dell shirt - collection of Porky Johnson

Made for the performer Doye O'Dell, this classic cowboy shirt was made in North Hollywood by Nudie, "the tailor to the stars." Below - leather label on the inside of the shirt's collar.