Santa Ynez Valley Free Museum Day is Saturday, March 5, 2011
The Santa Ynez Valley Visitors Association (SYVVA) is pleased to announce its fourth annual “FREE Museum Day” to be held on Saturday, March 5, 2011. The following seven museums located in the Santa Ynez Valley will have FREE admission for all ages for the entire day. Just look for the green flag at each venue listed here.
BUELLTON: Buellton Historical Society History Room, 376 Avenue of Flags; www.buellton.org
Open: 7:00 am-10:00 pm (every day) Phone: 805-688-7829
Discover more about Service Town and the Buell Ranch in the History Room located in Andersen’s Pea Soup Restaurant above the gift shop. In 1949, Buellton was named “Service Town USA” in recognition of the service stations, motels and diners lining a newly widened US Highway 101 through the center of town.
LOS ALAMOS: Los Alamos Valley Historical Display & Depot, 515 Bell St. (Hwy 135) www.losalamosvalley.org
Open: 10:00 am-4:00 pm (for Museum Day) Phone: 805-344-3315
Ranchers John Bell and James Shaw established Los Alamos in 1876 as the United States celebrated its 100th anniversary. Find out more about this western town at the exhibits in the vintage T &T Building & Train Depot.
LOS OLIVOS: Wildling Art Museum, 2928 San Marcos Avenue; www.wildlingmuseum.org
Open: 10:00 am-4:00 pm (for Museum Day) Phone: 805-688-1082
The Wildling’s mission connects people with the wonder of America’s wilderness through great art. The museum offers nature-related classes, special events and rotating exhibits throughout the year. On Museum Day, the museum will have free art craft activities for children.
SANTA YNEZ: Santa Ynez Valley Historical Museum & Carriage House, 3596 Sagunto; www.santaynezmuseum.org
Open: 10:00 am-4:00 pm (for Museum Day) Phone: 805-688-7889
Tracing Santa Ynez Valley history from the early Chumash Indians through its 20th-century ranching days. The Carriage House boasts the largest collection of American made horse-drawn carriages the Western USA. Educational presentations, tours, changing exhibits and community events celebrate Valley history. See special exhibit “Celebrating Ronald Reagan’s 100th Birthday” plus free popcorn from the 1906 Cretor Popcorn Wagon.
SOLVANG: Elverhoj Museum of History & Art, 1624 Elverhoy Way; www.elverhoj.org
Open: 10:00 am-4:00 pm (for Museum Day) Phone: 805-686-1211
Located in a historic handcrafted Danish-style structure, the Elverhøj Museum showcases Solvang’s rich history and the Danish-American pioneer spirit of the town’s founders. On display in the Museum Gallery is a special art exhibit for Solvang’s Centennial year, The Spirit of Solvang: Capturing the Past in Photographs. Museum Day events include bobbin lace making and Danish craft demonstrations, interactive activities for all ages, and more.
SOLVANG: Hans Christian Andersen Museum, 1680 Mission Drive; www.bookloftsolvang.com/museum.htm
Open: 9:00 am-5:00 pm (every day) Phone: 805-688-2052
H. C. Andersen (1805-1875), as he is known in his native Denmark, is considered the “father of the modern fairy tale.” “The Ugly Duckling”, “The Little Mermaid”, “The Emperor’s New Clothes” and “The Princess and the Pea” are favorites among his more than 150 tales. The museum, filled to the rafters with copies of Andersen’s books, sketches, silhouettes and memorabilia, is housed in a second story garret above The Book Loft.
SOLVANG: Old Mission Santa Ines Museum, 1760 Mission Drive; www.missionsantaines.org
Open: 9:00 am-5:00 pm (every day) Phone: 805-688-4815
Founded in 1804 and now on the National Register of Historic Places, the 19th in the chain of 21 Missions throughout California, Mission Santa Inés proudly posses a collection of paintings, statuary, vestments, manuscripts, and artifacts used in and around the Mission throughout its history.
Executive Director Kady Fleckenstein remarked, “For the fourth year, Free Museum Day offers fun for the whole family. It’s a great way for locals and visitors to experience the incredible diversity of history, art, and culture in our Valley—and best of all, at no charge!”
SYVVA is a non-profit organization formed in 2001 with more than 120 members that conducts marketing activities promoting year-round tourism in the Santa Ynez Valley communities of Ballard, Buellton, Los Alamos, Los Olivos, Santa Ynez and Solvang. For further information, contact Kady Fleckenstein, Executive Director atkady@SYVVA.com or by calling 805-686-0053 or www.SantaYnezValleyVisit.com