In collaboration with the City of Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks, the San Fernando Valley Historical Society (SFVHS) will celebrate the free public grand opening of its “Native American Indian Gallery,” a permanent exhibit recognizing the art and culture of the first peoples of North America, Sept. 25 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Andres Pico Adobe Park in Mission Hills.
The exhibit will officially open with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 1 p.m.
Alongside featured artworks and artifacts from the SFVHS’s unique donated collections, the exhibit includes selected pieces from the renowned Paul Knapp and Eileen Weissberg collections of arrowheads, bead jewelry, and historical objects from Native American tribes throughout the United States.
“For the first time we are bringing together all items in our museum collection associated with indigenous tribes and respectfully displaying them to tell the true story of how they lived,” says Midge Gisel, curator of the San Fernando Valley Heritage Center Museum located inside the Andres Pico Adobe, a local historical landmark built in 1834 reportedly by ex-Mission indians.
“Our museum is a gem here in the Valley, and is a favorite field trip for school children studying early California. This new gallery will expand their experience as well as the enjoyment for other visitors to this enchanting adobe building.”
According to Ron Van Deest, president of SFVHS, “This new museum gallery builds upon the unique collections donated to our historical society by individuals to help conserve the culture of the San Fernando Valley. To round out the exhibit, we are requesting gifts or loans of other objects to display that represent all native peoples of this area.”
Andrew Pico Adobe Park is located at 10940 Sepulveda Blvd., in Mission Hills (across from the Mission Hills Post Office). Limited parking is available and carpools are recommended. For more information, please contact Jacky Walker at (818) 365-7810 or (818) 970-1286.