Stephen Dudley, grandson of 1930s-era RLC owners Avis and Llewellyn Bixby, visited the site late in January to donate a document to our collection. The document, dating from the 1850s, is nearly as old as the Rancho itself. “John Temple would have had to submit appeals to prove he owned the land,” RLC Curator Sarah[…]
RLC Receives Priceless Donation from Bixby Descendants
By Rancho Staff history, rlc175 Feb 06, 2019
Justin Farmer Weaves History at RLC
By Rancho Staff Events, history, Long Beach, Upcoming Events Jan 31, 2019
On January 26th, Rancho Los Cerritos was honored to host special guest and Ipay elder Justin Farmer, who was here to discuss and demonstrate the history and techniques of traditional Native American and Indian basketry in California. This was the first of four special events in a series RLC has planned to connect California Native[…]
RLC Memories
By Rancho Staff history, Long Beach Jan 11, 2019
As Rancho Los Cerritos enters its 175th year, we are collecting memories from visitors. Long Beach resident and retired teacher Carol Clark shares remembrances, and these photos, of her first visit to the Rancho. Email your Rancho memory to rancho@rancholoscerritos.org to be featured on our blog. “My family moved to California in 1966 when I[…]
Status, Style, and Culture: Interpretation of the 1870s Parlor and the 1931 Living Room
By Curatorial Intern history, Long Beach Dec 20, 2018
During the Victorian era, the parlor was the front room of every middle and high-class homes and for some, used exclusively to receive and entertain guest and for others, used as an environment for family intimacy. The parlor was the reflection of who the family was and therefore a lot of money and thought went[…]
Behind the Scenes: Holiday Decor at RLC
By Rancho Staff exhibits, history, Long Beach, Photos Dec 07, 2018
Every year, dozens of volunteers transform Rancho Los Cerritos’ historic house and gardens for the holidays. Each room tells a story about the traditions of people who live in California in the 19th century. The Foreman’s Room – This room is set to look as though a father, employed at the Rancho, has turned his bedroom[…]
Altar on View at RLC in Celebration of Dia de Los Muertos
By Rancho Staff exhibits, history, Long Beach, Visitor Information Oct 19, 2018
From October 19 through November 4, an altar outside the Visitor Center at Rancho Los Cerritos will honor some of the Rancho’s loved ones with pictures, sugar skulls, marigolds, and more. This will be the third year RLC has an Ofrenda; a project spearheaded by the Rancho’s Outreach Coordinator, Alana Reese. “My parents have both[…]
Rancho Los Cerritos During the Great Depression
By Curatorial Intern history Jun 13, 2018
The Bixby family owned and operated Rancho Los Cerritos as a sheep ranch, starting in 1866. Sheep raising continued until at least 1886, but as the ranch business was evolving additional portions of the land were gradually sold off. Llewellyn Bixby, Sr. purchased the then deteriorating Rancho Los Cerritos adobe and surrounding 4.74 acres from[…]
Keeping up with hair trends in the Victorian Era
By Curatorial Intern history May 21, 2018
It was very popular during the Victorian Era to make and wear jewelry out of a loved one’s hair. In Europe and the U.S., a lot of women made elaborate wreaths, necklaces, bracelets and all sorts of pieces out of hair and wire, often with floral designs. Wreaths made from the hair of one deceased[…]
“Post” Cards: Valentine’s Day Cards from the Victorian Era to Early Twentieth Century
By Rancho Staff history Feb 07, 2018
Valentine’s Day cards from the Victorian era reflect the style and sensibilities of that period. They also indicate the new technological innovations of the time that enabled the mass production of beautiful and intricate cards. During the 1850s and 1860s, American cards began to include more embellishments like paper lace, embossing, and multi-layered designs. During[…]
The Works of Hubert Howe Bancroft
By Curatorial Intern history Sep 26, 2017
The Works of Hubert Howe Bancroft spans thirty-nine volumes and details four hundred years of history in the western hemisphere, from Alaska to Panama. The volumes in the Rancho’s collection range in date from 1883 to 1890. These nineteenth century books are bound in sheepskin and imprinted with the name J. Bixby at the bottom[…]