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[…]
Altar on View at RLC in Celebration of Dia de Los Muertos
By Rancho Staff exhibits, history, Long Beach, Visitor Information Oct 19, 2018
Tevaaxa’nga (Te-vaah-ha-nga) to Today: Stories of the Tongva People
By Rancho Staff Long Beach, Visitor Information Sep 26, 2018
Tevaaxa’nga (Te-vaah-ha-nga) to Today: Stories of the Tongva People is an exhibit celebrating the history and culture of the Tongva (Gabrielino), who were the first people to live on the land that would ultimately become Rancho Los Cerritos. Today the Tongva play an active role in the Southern California community, with over 2,500 Tongva people[…]
Dancing in Old California – Canceled
By Jennifer Rice Epstein Sep 23, 2018
Due to circumstances beyond our control, Dancing in Old California, which was scheduled to take place on September 23, has been canceled. We apologize for any inconvenience. In honor of our state’s entry into the Union on September 9, 1850, we’ll host a nineteenth-century-style fandango! A dance lesson, covering waltzes, polkas, and set dances like[…]
Reading and Writing Essentials of the 19th and Early 20th Century
By Curatorial Intern Long Beach, Visitor Information Aug 16, 2018
During the 19th and early 20th centuries, a variety of objects were used to compliment the activities of reading and writing. The Art Nouveau movement of the late 19th century influenced the use of elegant feminine designs on certain implements. These essentials were richly ornamented and beautifully made with creative craftsmanship and unique designs. The[…]
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[…]
Exhibit Opening: “Building a New California: The Lives and Labor of Chinese Immigrants from 1850-1930”
By Jennifer Rice Epstein Sep 22, 2017
Please join us for the opening of our fall exhibit, celebrating the Chinese immigrants who helped shape Southern California.
Stories from the Garden: African Plants
By Gerald Wachovsky Sep 16, 2017
Plant expert Frank McDonough visits the Rancho from his home base at the Los Angeles Arboretum to discuss African Plants. Learn about these warm-weather plants’ journeys to California.