By Ventura Breeze Staff –
Join the Museum for a cocktail hour and three-course dinner on the Plaza, followed by an oral history presentation from Elena Brokaw, the Barbara Barnard-Smith Chief Executive Officer.
- Thursday, September 4, 5:30-8:30 pm
- Museum of Ventura County, 100 E. Main Street
Step into a captivating journey back to the Gilded Age, a time of remarkable transformation in Ventura County. From the late 19th to early 20th centuries, this era blossomed with prosperity, innovation, and cultural richness. As the Southern Pacific Railroad unfurled its iron tendrils and agriculture thrived, Ventura blossomed from a serene mission town into a vibrant nexus of commerce and community. This period was characterized by exquisite architecture, a spirited entrepreneurial drive, and the rise of influential families who indelibly shaped the region’s identity.
Among these illustrious families were the Peiranos, Italian immigrants who became the very backbone of Ventura’s downtown economy. Nicola “Nick” Peirano Sr. graced Ventura with his presence in 1882, assisting his uncle at a bustling general store on Main Street. By 1890, he had claimed ownership, giving life to Peirano Market, which stood as a cornerstone of local trade for nearly a century. Nestled near the historic San Buenaventura Mission, this market not only nourished generations of Venturans but also embodied the enduring spirit of immigrant entrepreneurship that helped forge the county’s golden age.
Taste of History 2025 – Menu
- Slow Braised Beef with Italian Chimichurri over creamy polenta (Gluten Free), Roasted Seasonal Vegetables
- Oven Roasted Tuscan Chicken Breast over creamy polenta, Roasted Seasonal Vegetables
- Burrata Pasta with Arrabbiata Sauce, Blistered Cherry Tomato and Fresh Basil (Vegetarian)
https://venturamuseum.org/event/taste-of-history-the-gilded-age.
