On Sunday, February 28, from 11 am to 5 pm, the Museum of Ventura County, in partnership with the Channel Islands National Park, hosts a fun-filled day for families with the theme of “Island Chumash Traditions.” This is one of four Sundays that the two organizations will jointly host in celebration of the Channel Islands National Park’s 36th anniversary, amid thousands of nation-wide commemorations of the National Park Service’s 100th Anniversary.
Essentially ‘kicked-off’ by Grand Marshall Ken Burns at the Rose Parade in Pasadena, the 2016 centennial brings special attention and education to Americans about its National Park System.
And Ventura boasts one of the most beautiful —the Channel Islands National Park. The wonders, traditions and lore of the Channel Islands National Park can be experienced at the Museum of Ventura County on Sunday, February 28th at the museum.
Activities include:
- Learning about the Chumash culture through traditional demonstrations and ceremonies, led by Chumash elder Julie Tumamait
- Cave painting and an archeological dig in the museum’s Chumash Garden
- Group readings of the beloved children’s novel “Island of the Blue Dolphins” which is set in the Channel Islands
- Traditional craftmaking, such as necklaces made with shells and beads, and crafting dolphin masks and tomols (small canoes)
- Learning about the Junior Park Ranger Program
- You can even dress up as a sea otter!
Park Rangers will be on hand with museum volunteers to teach children about the islands. Refreshments will be available for sale from Aaron’s Tacos food truck and Kona Ice. Adult admission is $5 each; kids under 18 are admitted free.
The Museum of Ventura County is located in downtown Ventura. Hours are 11 a.m.–5 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. Paid events include free admission to the galleries, and the first Sundays of every month are free general admission for the public.
