TULARE COUNTY MUSEUMHISTORICAL PRESENTATION

Darlene Lowndes ADED 5510

HISTORY OF THE MUSEUM

In the 1920s, an effort was made to establish a museum for Tulare County California. This effort failed. In 1936, a Visalia resident named Hugh Mooney left a $5000 donation to be used for the Mooney Grove Park. The committee decided to use the money to build a museum. The Depression and World War II delayed construction but the initial museum was completed in 1948.

(http://www.tularecountyhistoricalsociety.org/Museum.htm)

MUSEUM UPDATE

Tulare County Museum operates on a county budget. The Tulare County Historical Society, non-profit organization. has been actively involved in the museum's growth--donating funds for additions and repairs, as well as members' time and effort to restore old structures.

The Tulare County Historical Society was awarded a California Council and Historical Endowment grant for $1,450,000. These funds were used to construct a 17,000 sq. ft. two-story building at the Tulare County Museum grounds. Showcasing the county's rich history of farm labor and agriculture. The Construction was completed 2009.

WHY A MUSEUM?

The Tulare County Historical Society began in 1922, as a group of people interested in the historical preservation of the history of Tulare County California.

Overland mail commemorative stamp, issued by the U.S. Post Office,October 10, 1958

Commemorative stamp , Butterfield Overland Mail Companhttp://www.postalmuseum.si.edu/museum/1d_Overland_Mail_Stamp.htmly

WHY AGRICULTURE?

Tulare County 44th Annual World Agriculture Show Visalia Times Delta (front page 2-8-2011)

Tulare County is the second-leading producer of agricultural commodities in the United States.

(http://www.co.tulare.ca.us/)

Teaching the importance of agriculture is especially important to the children of California. Every year more farmland becomes developed, leaving less land on which to grow food. Today's children will be voters and policy-makers in 2025, and they must understand the importance of conserving farmland. Teaching the importance of agriculture is especially important to the children of California. (http://ucanr.org/repository/cao/landingpage.cfm?article=ca.v054n05p40&fulltext=yes)

TULARE COUNTY

PRESERVING FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS

• Dairy Products• Cattle• Fruit trees• Nut Trees• Vegetables• Berries• Grapes• Wine• Cotton

THE NEW AGRICULTURE MUSEUM

WINDS OF CHANGE

Tulare County Office of Education and Tulare County Historical Society will hold a public celebration commemorating the opening of the Tulare County Museum's newest exhibit: "Winds of Change: The Dust Bowl Migration to Tulare County" from 2:00 pm 4:00 pm on Saturday, November 20, 2010. The celebration will be at the Tulare County Museum of Farm Labor & Agriculture, located in Mooney Grove Park in Visalia. Showing until April 2011.

CULTURAL CONTRIBUTIONS

The New Agriculture Museum blends cultural heritage of the people who farmed the Central Valley during the past half-Millennia.

EDUCATIONAL TOURS

Tulare County Office of Education has incorporated student involvement and tours into the new Tulare County Agricultural Museum.

WORKING THE FIELDS

AFRICIAN AMERICANS ITALIANS

WORKING THE FIELDS

MEXICIANS NATIVE AMERICANS

WORKING THE FIELDS

CHINESE JAPANESE

FRUIT GROWERS & DAIRYS

ARMENIANS PORTUGUESE

WORKING THE FIELDS

KOREANS FILIPINOS

GROWERS

CROATIANS & SLAVONIANS SOUTHEAST ASIANS

DUST BOWL MIGRATION

CATTLEMAN & DAIRYS

WESTWARD SETTLERS DUTCH

EARLY FAMILY RE SETTLED

ROUTE 66 OVER THE SIERRAS

TYPICAL LABOR CAMP HOUSING

HOMES

RURAL CABIN FROM THE 1950LARGE FARM HOME FROM THE 1950