An ARC Update…

by Robin Turner, Vice President, Museum

THE ARC OPENS FOR THE FIESTA

WOW!!! What an eventful few months we’ve had at the CC Historical Society ARC (Archive & Research Center) – especially during July and August!

The Thursday ARC volunteer crew – which included Pat Bumpus, Jeff Sommar, George Garrigues and Fred Yglesias – has concentrated their work on cataloging the extensive Julian Dixon book library which will provide a wealth of research materials.

For the annual Fiesta La Ballona, the Saturday ARC crew – Steve Rose, the inexhaustible Fred Yglesis and Julie Lugo Cerra – pulled together to put on a wonderful display of costumes and exhibit cases of the Fiesta through the last 50 years, highlighted by a beautiful Fiesta Queen’s costume which Costume Chair Louise Coffey-Webb so wonderfully arranged as the centerpiece of the exhibit.

This year’s Fiesta gave the Society the opportunity to officially open our doors and let everyone know that we now have a permanent home to display Culver City’s history and to more easily answer the many research questions City Historian Julie Lugo Cerra continually receives from historians and organizations from the world over!

We gave personal tours of the new exhibit space to over a hundred people that came to visit the ARC during the Fiesta – and it was a real thrill! Many people came in to reminisce and talk about the good memories they had growing up in Culver City. We had historic postcards, history videos, and calendar items for sale, and received a few donations as well.

[I also want to mention that the Society has received donations in memory of our dear Sam Cerra to allow us to name a display case in his honor, something we know would make him very proud and happy.]

THE CITY’S 90TH ANNIVERSARY

After the success of the Fiesta tours, we wasted little time in putting together a special exhibit for the 90th Anniversary of Culver City’s Incorporation, which was held at the historic Culver Hotel. Photo displays and memorabilia of the City’s early days were set up both in Harry Culver’s old office on the hotel’s second floor and in our permanent display window at the Pacific Theatre, across from the hotel.

Over 200 visitors came in to see Harry’s office! I couldn’t believe how many folks have lived in Culver City for over 50 years, and many were second and third generation residents. We especially thank the Culver City Information Technology Dept. team who videotaped many of the oral interviews that local residents shared with us. We plan on screening a copy of the tape at a future Society meeting.

And remember, we need volunteers for both our Thursday and Saturday morning work groups. If you are available on either of those days, please contact President Cathy Zermeno or myself and we will get you started working on some really fascinating projects!

See you at the General Meeting on October 17th!

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