Rancho Camulos National Historic Landmark Museum has expanded its docent led tour schedule and will have public tours Saturdays at 1, 2, and 3 in December and January. Tours can be arranged at other times by reservation. Entrance to the non-profit museum which is on private property is only allowed with a docent escort. . You should check the website, www.ranchocamulos.org, before going in case of closures due to weather or special activities.

Rancho Camulos…Where the history, myth, and romance of old California still lingers… is a unique place to bring the family and out of town guests. If you belong to a club or other group, you can make a reservation for a special group tour that will fit in with your schedule and special interests. Teachers and others working with youth groups are encouraged to schedule an interactive tour to learn about California history.

Rancho Camulos is the only National Historic Landmark in Ventura County. Here the early Californio lifestyle is preserved in its original rural environment. What began as part of the 48,000 acre Mexican land grant, Rancho San Francisco, that included all of what is now Santa Clarita, was deeded to Antonio del Valle in 1839 and is still a 1,800-acre working ranch. Rancho Camulos was also the setting for "Ramona," the 1884 novel by Helen Hunt Jackson that generated national interest in the history of Hispanic settlement in California and the impact on Native Americans. The museum is a 10-acre portion of the ranch where visitors tour the 1853 Spanish Colonial adobe, 1920 Spanish Colonial Revival adobe, 1867 winery and chapel, 1930 schoolhouse, and beautiful grounds, and then view the 1910 silent film “Ramona” starring Mary Pickford that was filmed on location at Rancho Camulos. The suggested donation for the tour is $5.00 for adults and $3.00 for children over 5. The museum is located on Highway 126, 10 miles west of the I-5 freeway near Piru. INFO: (805) 521-1501 or www.ranchocamulos.org
During December, shop at the docent gift shop for unique gifts, art work, books, and local honey and salsa and enjoy the holiday decorations. Consider purchasing as gifts, $10 charity drawing tickets for an authentic Navajo rug. Only 500 tickets are being sold. You will be supporting the museum’s historic preservation and education efforts and the lucky winner will have a very beautiful and valuable work of art. This authentic Navajo rug which is a Burnham Pictorial with a Rug in a Rug center (60"X83”) by Desbah Shonie from Blue Gap was purchased from this year’s Hubbell Auction will also be on display. The winning ticket will be drawn at the Santa Clarita Cowboy Festival on April 21, 2013.

Special January activities at the museum will include a Volunteer Open House on January 19th at 10:00 AM. Join us as we expand to meet the needs of our new Visitor Center. This is your opportunity to learn more about our local history and how you can make a difference in bringing history alive for others.

On January 26, at 1:00, experience Helen Hunt Jackson’s January 1882 visit to Rancho Camulos which inspired her to include this vestige of the Californio lifestyle as one of the settings for her novel Ramona. Re- enactors will engage and delight you as they portray this event which forever changed the peaceful life at Rancho Camulos.
February 9th marks the return of “Romance at the Rancho.” Docent-led tours will focus on the love stories of couples associated with Camulos. Bring a picnic and blanket and spend some quality time with your significant other enjoying the beautiful romantic setting. A special tasty treat will also be provided.

This winter step back in time and join us as we move forward in preserving local history. Check www.ranchocamulos.org for additional information on these activities as well as later upcoming activities.
Visit Rancho Camulos National Historic Landmark Museum

Docent led public tours are available without appointment Saturdays at 1, 2, and 3 and by appointment year-round. See the “Home of Ramona” including the 1853 adobe, 1867 chapel and winery, 1930 schoolhouse, and beautiful grounds, and then view the 1910 silent film “Ramona” that was filmed on location at Rancho Camulos. The suggested donation for the tours is $5.00 for adults and $3.00 for children over 5. Entrance to the non-profit museum which is on private property is only allowed with a docent escort. Check the website before going in case of closures due to weather or special activities. The museum is located on Highway 126, 10 miles west of the I-5 freeway near Piru. INFO: (805) 521-1501 or www.ranchocamulos.org