Join former Ramona Pageant archivist, historian and author Phil Brigandi to learn about realities, misconceptions, and marketing techniques connecting the beloved Ramona story to Rancho Camulos, when Brigandi presents Charles Lummis and Rancho Camulos on Tuesday, October 12 at 1:30 p.m. at the Museum of Ventura County’s Pavilion. Admission is $5 for the general public and free for museum members. Attendance includes admission to all galleries. To RSVP, please call 805-653-0323 x 315.

Brigandi, who has written three books about the Ramona Pageant and lectured extensively about the 1884 book and story, will discuss the Ramona myth and California booster Charles Lummis, who was among those effectively promoting Ventura County’s Rancho Camulos as “The Home of Ramona.”

Author Helen Hunt Jackson hoped her popular novel Ramona would inspire a public outcry for government reform in the treatment of American Indians. However, her intended message took a back seat to readers’ fascination with the book’s romantic depiction of 1850s California. After the book’s publication, railroad competition touched off Southern California’s largest real estate boom, and an accompanying influx of tourists came looking for the locations depicted in the book. Ventura County’s Rancho Camulos was one among many claiming to have inspired the rancho in the fictional story.

The Museum of Ventura County is located at 100 East Main Street in Ventura. Go to www.venturamuseum.org for more information.