This a nice little museum in Ojai. I got to check out some history and wonderful paintings. I really like the paintings that shows the scenery, some of which I had seen. It's located in a very walkable route from other places of interest in Ojai. read more

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Admission is technically free/a suggested donation, but given the quality of the museum, everyone should be donating to keep it going. There is fine art being exhibited, there are exhibitions about the rich human history of Ojai Valley, there are even exhibitions of its natural history-- there is a lot to learn from this institution. On my visit, there was an interactive art installation where you can draw a small piece and add to the museum installation yourself. It's perhaps catered first towards kids, but anyone can (and should) take part! read more

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Where to start?? The museum itself is housed in a beautifully-restored church, with informative and well-kept gardens around it. As someone who's worked briefly in museum curation, the exhibits are displayed clearly and in a concise way. There is a permanent exhibit on the chronological and ecological history of Ojai, and the temporary exhibit next door focuses on the women that shaped history in the Ojai Valley! After talking with curator Judy Fisch, she was able to provide an abundance of information on the local indigenous history and further resources. Walking tours of Ojai are every Saturday at 1030, and docent Connie Campbell was incredibly helpful! read more

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Lovely small museum. Really enjoyed learning about Ojai. Especially enjoyed the Women of the Valley exhibit, and hearing women tell their own stories. I appreciated that the contributors were drawn from diverse backgrounds. read more

Review is about walking tour offered by museum. Didn't see the museum. Informative walking tour offered Saturdays at 10:30 am. Peter was kind and knowledgeable and apparently everyone in town knew him. Lasts about an hour or so and goes through art museum, Libbey park, and downtown. $10 per person and includes museum admission. Public parking available. Two thumbs up. Low key fire. Grateful for the experience! read more

Cute little museum, $5 donation, there's artwork from local artists on display, an exhibit on maps & topography, taxidermy of local animals & exhibit on the history of Ojai. read more

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Small yet mighty!! This place has so so so much history and provides many a nuance that I didn't even begin to know about before visiting. You can see what attracted people to Ojai and how it was carved into the magical place it is today! A superior highlight when taking anyone with me to Ojai! The local featured 7 decades artist on our last visit was incredible. Loved learning more about her journey and experiencing her creativity!! read more

The place is cute but only takes a few minutes to see everything. It was nice to see some history from the area but it wasn't super immersive. read more

What I learned here today: just a couple generations ago, retirement was dreaded. It represented an ending and a separation from much of mainstream American life. Many seniors lived in poverty. Before Medicare was passed in 1965, any major illness could wipe out one's savings. But the fight to improve the lives of retirees far predates the passage of Medicare. And in that fight there might not be any champion greater than Ethel Percy Andrus. With all due respect, this woman Ehtel Percy Andrus was a Total Badass. Total Badass! Early in her life she was active in the Hull House movement in Chicago. Later she came to California and became a teacher. Some of her students included General Jimmie Doolittle, actors Robert Young and Robert Preston and Governor Goodwin Knight. She eventually became the first female principal in the Los Angeles School District. At the time, let me tell you, that was a Big Freakin Deal. Then she retired to Ojai. And then she got busy. In 1947 she founded the National Retired Teachers Association (NRTA) to provide health insurance for retired teachers and advocate for better teacher pensions. Before the work of this amazing woman, no insurance company would offer health insurance to retired teachers. She had to take countless No's before she finally got a Yes. She wore those bastards down. You could say, she persisted. She came to Ojai and created Grey Gables, the first national home for retired teachers In 1958 she founded the American Association of Retired People (AARP) to provide health insurance and other benefits of the NRTA to all Americans 55 years old and over. This is years before Medicare. Frickin amazing to me how this one woman, this one giant of a woman, could take on this huge problem and address it so effectively. She didn't fix everything, no one could, but what she did paved the way for Medicare. What she did was to transform what it meant to be retired in America, Mind you, she did all this AFTER she retired. She did this all as an unpaid volunteer. Got dam! What she did makes her a Total Bad Ass, in my book! Mikey C says: I learned something today. read more

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This was such a beautiful museum!!! I loved the taxidermy here and the art hall was so cool! I liked the history of the chumash and other native stuff that was here before us. The staff was also so sweet! Looking forward to another visit soon! :) read more

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So fun! I had no idea about this museum. Emily from Lovewell recommended I take my kiddos, and this week now be a fun activity we do. First Kristin in the visiting center was SO kind. We first went on a day they were closed and she still recommended other places we could visit while in town. Then we went back the next day for museum hours. The kids had a BLAST. Especially with the scavenger hunt the kids can participate in. We learned so much about Ojai. Really awesome museum. I love that they change exhibits so you can keep going back for something fresh. read more

Small museum where you can see everything, appreciate the exhibits and not feel too overwhelmed. Docent is very nice too. Gift shop has limited selection. read more

CURRENT HOURS: Friday 1-7pm Saturday 10am-4pm ​Sunday 10am-4pm PARKING: They have a parking lot behind the museum, on Blanche. We went to Bart's Books prior and parked on the street which was easy and free. Tiny museum that provides a great introduction to the history of Ojai (originally called Nordhoff but in an effort to escape the German sound, it was changed to Ojai, which comes from the Chumash word for moon, which is awha'y). There is a bit of town history, agricultural history, indigenous history, and some local art. Make sure to check out the garden courtyard with Chumash plants. While you're out there, don't miss the Chumash birthing stone. I just wish there was more information on it! The service was extremely warm and friendly. Suggested $5 admission for adults. You can give less and you can give more. A quick stop but I enjoyed it. read more

What a cute little museum! It's a nice little stop while visiting Ojai if you are interested in the history of the town. The docent was very friendly and answered any questions we had. Clean bathrooms, and easy parking with a lot right next to the museum. read more

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We've previously been to the Ojai Valley Museum several times, but didn't think about getting our Passport 2 History book stamped. Took care of that little housekeeping detail recently. While there, on a very hot afternoon, we enjoyed the air conditioning inside, plus the current exhibits. "Starchitecture" is worth stopping in to see if you're visiting Ojai. Focusing on the works of nationally-renowned architects, mostly unique homes they created in the Ojai Valley are highlighted. Some commercial buildings also make the grade. The exhibit mixes photos of the structures with bios of the architects. Several of the featured houses have found their way onto the annual Holiday Homes Tour over recent years, so we've actually visited them, like the Libbey House. Another current exhibit tells the story of how the town of Nordhoff became Ojai. The unifying building theme that paved the way for Ojai's present character is highlighted, too. It was all news to me! This petite museum has its own architectural history to tout, beginning life as a church. A collection of images currently on display showcases what a popular subject the building has been over the years. Worth a visit! read more

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Fantastic museum in a former church! This museum gives a great history of Ojai with photos and artifacts. The staff was very nice. There is a tiny gift shop with items made locally. I highly recommend stopping in while you are visiting Ojai to get a better understanding of this gem of a town. read more

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Ojai Valley Museum is a small one, dedicated to the cool history of the town. I strolled through its cute garden before, which is full of nice sculptures and orange trees, but never checked it out inside till recently. Which is fine, it gave me more reasons to visit Ojai again and have some nice activities left over to do. We stopped by on a Sunday (they open at noon- till 4 pm). We paid the $5 per person, the lady who was working there was nice, but admitted she didn't know enough about the museum and what they showcase. The museum is closed on Mondays. Tuesdays - Sat. from 10 am to 4 pm. That's fine, since the place is small, easy to navigate, they have useful info near everything they have on display (local animals, movies shot here, Chumash history, old photos and memorabilia of Nordhoff, the little town that was Ojai before it was re-named), so taking the tour by yourself is easy and you'll learn many things about the history of the town. It'll take you less than an hour to visit, there were other people strolling around, but the place stayed quiet the whole time we were there and we had a very pleasant visit. The main 2 rooms are dedicated to the history of the town (the museum's building used to be a church that burnt down at some point) and a gift shop. To the left you have a couple of rooms dedicated to temporary exhibits, a small, cute courtyard (that the lady who worked there was very nice to open it up so that we can check it out) and clean restrooms. We were lucky to see the exhibit dedicated to Edward Libbey (curently on view), the force behind developing Ojai, the glass industry philanthropist that fell in love with Ojai and re-constructed it into what it is now. You'll learn the history of the Arcade, the staple of the town, its Post Office Tower and you'll figure out where Libbey Bowl/Park got their names from. If you're in town, the museum is a nice place to stop by. It's right in the heart of downtown near the Visitor Center. It could be a very enjoyable visit. It's a nice place that shows you a glimpse of the Ojai's past and you can relax in the front garden, take in the views. read more

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Small museum with a lot of great local information and a bonus art exhibit we were excited to see. We came with our three children and were immediately welcomed by Jackie. Such a neat museum and definitely worth a stop! read more

While in Ojai, you owe it to yourself to pop in ad learn a bit about Ojai History and the history of forest fires which have plagued the area. Lots of information and pictures...And...it's Free!!! read more

Did you know that Ojai was originally named Nordhoff? I learned this fact from my visit here. This is a small, two-room museum, whose diminutive size is entirely appropriate for a town with a population of 7,500. The side room currently displays the works of the Ojai Studio Artists' Exhibit thru July 5, 2015. The main room is devoted to Ojai's history with displays of Chumash Indian artifacts, Libbey glass, and schoolyard relics. A tiny gift shop is near the front desk. Enthusiastic and very knowledgeable staff. If you're already in Ojai, then you have no excuse not to visit. One star dinged because you have to trek 1/4 mile to Libbey Park for a public restroom unless you buy something from a nearby restaurant. read more

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This is a small museum for a small town. I like the native wildlife display (taxidermy) and enjoy browsing the rotating art exibits. The staff here is SUPER friendly and really seems to love their job. I've come here for a number of special events and they are well organized and good additions to the local culture and community. I recommend stopping in for a visit. I have not been on one of their walking tours, but keep meaning to sign up for one. They are each weekend... I think Saturday mornings? read more

This was a very nice small museum. Informative and easily to read postings, etc. The volunteers were very kind and helpful. read more

Do the walking tour it takes you to nearby downtown landmarks and it's just a ton of fun. Meet Saturday 10:30 in front of the museum. No other times are available...which is the only bummer. read more

The museum was small and quaint experience but upon our arrival we were greeted by the most lovely old lady who divulged a personal and endearing experience of the history of Ojai. Never change Ojai! read more

Ojai Valley Museum - Museums Near Me - Ojai, California

May 2016 So this was another stop on the Ojai Roadie. It's a small, completely manageable museum, even for people who don't really 'do' museums (I happen to be 'bout that museum life). 2 big rooms... 1. Seemingly permanent exhibits about the history of Ojai. Interesting, clear, and well-researched. Do NOT miss the wildlife grotto...so real...hello bears and little racoon! Bonus points if you spot the possum (although he's kinda gross). Real talk: I thought the bobcat was going to jump on me. 2. Exhibit of modern art by Ojai artists - very interesting. Lovely museum and staff; nicely landscaped gardens; easy parking. Go and learn something. PS: The other reviewers are all excited about the walking tour. I didn't do that - I use my precious feet judiciously. read more

Took my very senior senior here. Handicap/ wheelchair accessable around to the right side entrance. Nice displays of local area. History of Ojai, natives and wildlife. More too!! The showing which was there when we visited was a collection of art dedicated to the Thomas Fire. Many paintings, sculptures, photography and artifacts. Many perspectives and much emotion to go with this exhibit. I enjoyed the museum. It's a smaller one but efficient. Suggested donation is $5 read more

very well done exhibits. Just the right mix of information presented in a interesting, meaningful and professional way. And David Mason, Ojai's Historian is charming, delightful and has lived here 75 years, so he knows the ins and outs of Ojai. I highly recommend stopping in when visiting Ojai or to us who live here to see what wonderful things have been done since the last time you have been. read more

My friend and I visited Ojai recently and participated in the walking history tour offered by the musuem. It was fantastic! Our guide was knowledgable, and her tour flowed very nicely. I would recommend taking the walking tour first and then coming back tot he museum to browse all the exhibits. You may feel like you KNOW the people already! read more