Queen Victoria was history's longest reigning female monarch. Her 63-year rule was also the longest in British history, during which the United Kingdom of Great Britain became the world’s most powerful nation and largest empire. Today, we often refer to the years of her reign as the Victorian Age, a time period identified with strict codes of morality and social conformity. Yet Queen Victoria was in fact an independent thinker, which her advisors did a good job of concealing. Learn about her contradictory life and times in Queen Victoria: Torn Between Independence and Etiquette, an exhibition of ¼ life-size George Stuart Historical Figures® of Queen Victoria at various ages, as well as other personalities of the period. The exhibit opens November 15, 2011 and runs through February 5, 2012 at the Museum of Ventura County.

In an accompanying monologue on January 17 at 1:30 pm. in the museum’s Martin V. and Martha K. Smith Pavilion, artist and historian George Stuart will delve into Queen Victoria’s strict upbringing, her loving marriage with Prince Albert of Saxe-Gotha, her attempts to influence national politics, and the trials and tribulations of her public and private lives. Admission to the monologue is $15 for the general public, $10 for museum members, and includes admission to all museum exhibits. For reservations, call (805) 653-0323 x 7.

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.