Simi Valley will be featured in the coming edition of a historical journal produced as a collaborative effort between Moorpark College and the Museum of Ventura County.

Students at the college are helping to research, edit and design the newly renamed "Journal of Ventura County History" as part of a history internship class offered at the college.

History instructor Patty Colman, who was chosen as the journal's new editor, is teaching the class at the college. It will be offered again in the fall.

The journal has been published continuously for the past 53 years as "The Quarterly" and has been edited since 1990 by Charles Johnson, the museum librarian.

Colman said the collaboration between the museum and the college on the journal, which is published twice a year, will transform its publication process into an educational opportunity for a new generation of historians.

Students in Colman's class last semester helped out with the first issue of the journal, which was published last month under its new name. The first issue was written by historian Cherie Brant and explored bird's-eye view lithographs done in Ventura in the 19th century. Moorpark College student Stephanie Ferguson worked on the graphic art for the issue.

Colman said the next issue about Simi Valley will center on historic photos of the community that were taken by resident Bill Appleton's great-grandfather in 1887. The glass-plated negatives for the photographs were found in a ditch and almost destroyed when the Appleton property was being developed.

Colman said many of the photos, which were submitted by Appleton to the Simi Valley Historical Society, have never been published.

"This is an amazing historical opportunity for the students and the college to participate in, and it will introduce the east county of Ventura County to those in the west county," Colman said.

She said many of the past editions of the journal were focused on west Ventura County.

"I'm eager to increase community involvement with the journal, especially in the eastern portion of the county, and look forward to hosting programs, lectures and exhibits at Moorpark College in conjunction with the museum," said Colman.

Johnson sought a new editor for the journal because of his added responsibilities associated with the museum's expansion at its location at 100 E. Main St., Ventura. He will continue to be involved as chairman of a committee of museum and college representatives overseeing the journal, which will still be published by the museum.

Colman, a Ventura County native, has a master's degree from UCLA in American Indian studies, as well as a master's degree in history from CSU Northridge. She has been teaching at Moorpark College for four years.

Colman "has a wide range of historical knowledge. We're excited to have her on board, as well as the participation of students at Moorpark College," Johnson said.

He said working with schools has been a proven path that other history institutions have taken with their own publications. Working with Moorpark College has also allowed the continuation of the journal, which is a benefit to museum members, he added.

"This collaboration has been a win-win situation for everybody," Johnson said.

Additional copies of the journal may be obtained through the Museum of Ventura County store by calling 653-0323, ext. 24, although quantities are limited. The museum's library is currently open by appointment only. During its expansion, the museum is operating at a temporary location at 89 S. California St., Ventura.