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International Children’s Book Day
We honor the life of Hans Christian Andersen with International Children’s Book Day. His work spans from The Little Mermaid (1837), The Ugly Duckling (1843), Thumbelina (1835), The Princess and The Pea (1835), and The Little Match Girl (1845). He wrote an autobiography and other pieces that have become iconic childhood stories. There is a Hans Christian Andersen Museum in Solvang, CA. It contains the vast collection of narratives he wrote along with historical elements from his life. Although he himself never visited Solvang, this Danish town honors this man’s enduring legacy. In the words of the folklorist himself, “Life is the most wonderful fairy tale of all!” This quote…
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OC Historical Commissioners at Irvine Ranch
Jennifer Keil had an opportunity to showcase her ongoing historical projects to the Orange County Historical Commissioners which is in partnership with OC Parks. The theme of her presentation was Curating Communities. As a digital historian and archivist, she is organizing local history for city’s, cultural centers, and schools to use. She is providing access to these archival records and analyzing of this information. Metadata is being created and stored in content management systems. As an oral historian, she is documenting local narratives for posterity. It is critical that these memories will be preserved for future generations. As OC continues to grow, it is important to document its change over…
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Malibu Lagoon Museum
The Adamson House in Malibu, CA is a delightful Spanish-Colonial revival property built in 1930. It was founded by Merritt and Rhoda Rindge Adamson. This land was part of the Spanish land grant deed to Frederick and May Rindge that was established as a cattle ranch. Ranchof Topanga Malibu Sequit was 24,000 acres with 22 acres of beachfront vistas. The California Department of Parks and Recreation operates the Adamson House and offers docent-led tours. Don’t forget to visit the gift shop for some one-of-a-kind gifts. “In 1892, Henry Keller sold the 13,000-acre Rancho Malibu to Frederick H. Rindge, for a price variously reported as $10-$22 per acre. Keller, it is said,…
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Queen Victoria
Original photograph at The National Archives. Catalogue ref:COPY 1/432/63, ‘Her Majesty the Queen in pony carriage with Princess Christian and Princess Frederica of Hanover standing by.’ John Brown her faithful servant holds the reins. Photographer: Robert Milne, Sep. 11 1897 Read The Project Gutenberg eBook, Sixty Years a Queen, by Sir Herbert Maxwell or Towne and Country’s 15 Fascinating Facts You Didn’t Know About Queen Victoria by Chanel Vargas to learn more of her story during Women’s History Month.
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Barbie
Happy 60th Birthday, Barbie! In 1986, “Andy Warhol made his mark by creating images of American #icons. Barbie was added to the list when #Warhol painted her in 1986. The first Barbie portrait was reportedly inspired by Warhol’s #muse, Billy Boy, a jewelry #designer and member of New York’s downtown scene in the 1980s, who owned a vast collection of Barbie #dolls.” See her incredible history here: www.barbiemedia.com/timeline #womenshistory #womenshistorymonth #women #Barbie #doll #history #archive @mattel @barbie @barbiestyle
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International Women’s Day
International Women’s Day (March 8) is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women since 1911. This year’s theme is #BalanceforBetter. Visit www.internationalwomensday.com/IWD2019 for local events, posters, school packets, and research. International Women’s Day downloadable resources Teachers, parents, caregivers – use International Women’s Day as an important opportunity to educate and inspire children about the role of women in society. From celebrating women’s achievements through to challenging gender stereotypes and bias, there are many useful classroom resources available to support International Women’s Day activity. Educate the minds of today and the citizens of tomorrow. Classroom education about gender equality is the most grassroots difference any…
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Women’s History Month
Celebrate Women’s History Month by listening to her story. Visit the 2019 collaborative site, https://blogs.loc.gov/whm2019/ for exciting programs. The Library of Congress, National Archives and Records Administration, National Endowment for the Humanities, National Gallery of Art, National Park Service, Smithsonian Institution and United States Holocaust Memorial Museum join in commemorating and encouraging the study, observance and celebration of the vital role of women in American history. Visit exhibits and online collections to see the Smithsonian’s “Creating Icons: How We Remember Women’s Suffrage” Opens March 6, 2020 Closes TBD To mark the 100th anniversary of the groundbreaking 19th Amendment that recognized women’s right to vote, the museum will open “Creating Icons: How…
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San Diego Museum of Art
The San Diego Museum of Art (SDMA) is located in Balboa Park. The contemporary gallery contains fascinating, large installations such as these John McCracken and DeWain Valentine polyester resin pieces. Within the permanent collections, you will find incredible pieces like the René Magritte and Salvador Domingo Felipe Jacinto Dalí. Currently on view is the Artists at War: American Posters of World War I through February 24, 2019. “To commemorate the conclusion of the global tragedy ironically known as the “War to End All Wars,” a selection of seldom-seen graphic works from the Museum’s permanent collection will be on view.” Also on exhibit is the German Expressionism on the First Floor…
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Charles Dickens
Happy Birthday, Charles Dickens! We encourage you to read The Guardian article “Charles Dickens and the Women Who Made Him” written by Dickens’ great-great-great-granddaughter Lucinda Dickens Hawksley. Here is an excerpt: “The real women in Dickens’s life were very different from his domesticated and compliant creations, including three remarkable women in his family. Charles’s paternal grandmother, Elizabeth Dickens, was a servant in the household of Lord Crewe. She began as a housemaid and, after being widowed and left a single mother, worked her way up to the role of housekeeper. Her grandson retained vivid memories of her warm personality and storytelling.”
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OCMA Expand
Located in the heart of the OC performing arts scene, the Orange County Museum of Art has a spectacular plan to expand its role of educating and inspiring the community. Check out the exterior façade that shows the OCMA sign next to Morton’s on Sunflower Ave. Take a visit to the new location OCMA Expand in Santa Ana, which recently moved from Newport Beach. They offer free admission and parking on Thursday 11-8pm and Friday-Sunday 11-6pm. Located in South Coast Plaza Village off of 1661 W Sunflower Ave | Santa Ana, CA 92704. Complementary tours available on Saturday & Sunday at 2pm. They have exciting programs with curator and docent led gallery tours,…
