Bathing Suit circa 1929

In the 19th century, a trip to the beach promised pleasant breezes, salt water, and picnics, but certainly not surfing, volleyball or bikinis. Learn how seaside attitudes and fashion changed, when the Museum of Ventura County presents Democratizing the Beach: From Therapy to Recreation, by historian Robert C. Ritchie, on Saturday, August 27, from 2:00 to 3:30 p.m. Admission is $10 for the general public, $5 for museum members, and includes entry to all museum galleries. For reservations, call 805-653-0323 x 7.

Dr. Ritchie’s talk illustrates how beach culture shifted during the 19th century from an emphasis on the therapeutic value of seawater to interest in the recreational pleasures of a trip to the shore. He will also look at the changing attitudes about appropriate beach attire. Ritchie’s lecture accompanies the museum’s current Splash! exhibition, which includes historic photographs of Ventura’s 1900s seaside attractions, 1920s and 1960s bathing suits from the museum’s collection, an exploration of 1960s surf culture, and a detailed look back at Ventura’s former Bath House, unique “Tent City” and early Pierpont Bay resort. Ocean inspired work by more than 30 regional artists is also part of the exhibit, which runs through September 18.

Ritchie, whose specialty is early American history, is a senior research scholar with the Huntington Library, Art Collections, and Botanical Gardens, where he recently retired as Director of Research for the Huntington’s W. M. Keck Foundation. Prior to that he was professor of history and associate chancellor at the University of California, San Diego.

The Museum of Ventura County is located at 100 East Main Street in downtown Ventura. Hours are 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. For more museum information go to www.venturamuseum.org or call 805-653-0323.