Ross Goodman

Fiesta at Olivas Adobe by Marguerite Hardeman

Andrew DiConti

Roses at Ray & Jessie Monk Rose Garden

A most remarkable day, Sunday, June 22, is free to the community at the Olivas Adobe Historical Park. A unique collection of exceptionally large historical mural paintings, as well as a special viewing of the Ray & Jessie Monk Volunteer Rose Garden, will be available to the public at no charge from 11 am. to 4 pm.

The enormous murals were executed by Marguerite Hardeman, deceased, who was a teacher at Ventura Community College. The pieces represent the historical foundations of the city of San Buenaventura, and due to their great size, they are seldom displayed. Appropriately, the murals will be displayed in the Olivas Adobe courtyard area. One mural, the pièce de résistance, has eight panels that depict the Spanish explorer, Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo, entering Pierpont Bay in 1542. Other murals correspond to the California Rancho Era and the early foundations of the Ventura community, which include Rancho San Miguel that was the Mexican Land Grant of the Olivas family.

The other special event of the day is an opportunity to view the beautiful and renowned Ray & Jessie Monk Volunteer Rose Garden. As an added feature, members of the Ventura County Rose Society will be there to talk about the roses that grow well in Ventura County and answer your rose related questions. Jessie Monk will also be there to share her knowledge of the rose garden which she and her husband Ray helped create. They will also have displays of various types of roses as well as information on how roses may be successfully grown using organic methods of propagation. If you're interested in "how to" literature, it will also be available.It is rare these days to be able to enjoy such a beautiful setting, in addition to viewing a magnificent rose garden and spectacular art at no cost to you and your family. The Olivas Adobe Historical Park is a community treasure that will take you back to a time when life was much simpler. Tours of the Olivas Adobe's main house, if you desire, are available at a nominal family rate. Don't miss this exclusive day that is close to home for you and your family.

The Olivas Adobe Historical Park is located in Ventura off of Harbor Boulevard, at 4200 Olivas Park Drive next to the golf course. Free parking is also available. If you're interested in learning more about the Ventura County Rose Society, you may contact Dawn-Marie Johnson at (805) 523-9003 or check them out at their web page at www.venturarose.org.