ojai news at The Ojai Post :: blog, newspaper, events in Ojai, California

“Volunteering at the Ojai Valley Museum brings so many benefits”, says Judy Mercer, who has been a valuable volunteer in the Collections Department for 14 years. “You meet interesting people, make new friends, learn new skills and have fun.”

Judy became involved with the museum when she was a newcomer to Ojai and wanted to get acquainted with a new town. Her husband’s parents who bought property in Ojai in 1944 needed help working the ranch so she and her husband moved to Ojai to assist with managing the acreage. She had previously worked at the Alf Museum at the Webb Schools in Claremont, CA where she was a docent and worked in Collections.

With her education in biology and English as well as experience in teaching, this was the ideal career for Judy. She says that collections is a fascinating place to become absorbed in history and anyone who is interested in dolls, textiles, flags, quilts, art, carpentry tools and kitchen items to name just a few, will have a wonderful experience helping to inventory and store these items.

“Volunteering in Collections is fascinating because you never know what you will find when you open a box or do the research on a topic”, Judy remarked. “There are a variety of opportunities and a flexible schedule so you can work when you can squeeze it in.”

Richard Hoye, another very valuable volunteer, has been working with the museum’s collections for eight years. He became involved with the Museum after he retired from the Los Angeles City Chief Administrator’s office and moved to Ojai.

His interest in local history was fostered when he noticed that the drinking fountain at Libby Park had been named for Evelyn Nordhoff. He wondered who she was so he visited the Museum to see what information he could find. His curiosity led him into volunteering to do research at the Museum and then later he moved into Collections. After being involved in research at the museum, he is able to look at an old document and assess whether or not it has significant value to the Ojai Valley’s heritage.

Richard is very passionate about the Museum because “it is a social activity where you can work with people who have a common interest and develop new skills,” he said. “It is a great way to learn about all aspects of life including sports, music, natural history, books, photos and architecture. The purpose of the Museum is to educate the community by proper maintenance of the collections and then be able to answer inquiries accurately.” Richard Hoye was named “Volunteer of the Year” in 2002 and Judy Mercer was named “Volunteer of the Year” in 2005 by the Museum’s Board of Trustees.

There is a great need for other volunteers at the Museum in the office or at the Visitors’ Center. If you have a skill of writing for newspapers, there is a place for you and you can even accomplish this task at home. If you love libraries, you will really enjoy the Museum library where you will find fascinating stories about the history of Ojai and Ventura County.

If you like to plan and attend parties, you can join the Events Committee or if you enjoy doing research for in-house exhibits, your skills would be greatly appreciated by the Exhibits Committee. There is always a need for docents who work in the gift shop and answer questions about the exhibits or give a mini-tour of the galleries. Docent training is available and is an on-going benefit.

There are so many opportunities for people who have a skill that they would like to share or who just enjoy working in a stimulating environment. The people who volunteer there like Richard Hoye and Judy Mercer, are friendly, have interesting backgrounds and are passionate about Ojai and the Museum. If you are interested in volunteering, there is a place for you at the Museum. Please call the Museum office at 640-1390 to receive more information.

Be sure to visit the Smart and Sassy: Artistic Historic Women of Ojai which is on display until September 28. Museum hours are Thursdays and Fridays, 1 – 4 p.m., Saturdays, 10 – 4 p.m. and Sundays, 12 – 4 p.m. The Museum is located at 130 W. Ojai Avenue.