Team Work: Horses and Mules on the Job, an exhibition opening Saturday, June 2 at the Museum of Ventura County’s Agriculture Museum in Santa Paula, illustrates a time before tractors and automobiles, when four-legged horsepower provided the major muscle for agriculture and commerce. Rare photographs from the museum’s research library collection, as well as oral and written accounts, tell the story of how horses and mules were essential to Ventura County’s growth during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

A free reception on Sunday, June 3, from 2:00-4:00 p.m. will celebrate the opening of the Team Work exhibit and the accompanying exhibit Horse Play: Paintings by Katie Upton. The public is invited to meet artist and horse enthusiast Katie Upton and enjoy the Texas swing and bluegrass music of the Ventucky String Band. Both exhibits run through September 2 at the Agriculture Museum.

Team Work specifically explores the local use of draft animals in agriculture, the oil industry and by the railroads. They also pulled stagecoaches, streetcars and buggies; prepared the roads, delivered mail, freight, groceries and consumer goods; were first responders when fires broke out; and no patriotic parade was complete without a horse-drawn carriage or float.

Museum of Ventura County’s Agriculture Museum is located at 926 Railroad Avenue, Santa Paula, California, in their historic downtown, near the Depot and railroad tracks. Hours are 10 a.m.– 4 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday. Admission is $4 adults, $3 seniors, $1 children 6-17, free for Museum of Ventura County members, and for children ages 5 and younger. On first Sundays of the month, general admission is always free. For more information, go to www.venturamuseum.org or call (805) 525-3100.