Old Town Newhall Gazette, Feb.-March 2008


		THE GAZETTE. February-March 2008 • Year 14, Number 1. Saletore: Young At Hart. By PATTI RASMUSSEN Gazette Correspondent. She's the daughter of an immigrant, and her mother's American heritage dates back to the 1600s. Born and raised in the Santa Clarita Valley, she attended local schools and volunteered alongside her mom. Today, at the tender age of twenty-six, Ayesha Saletore runs the museum at the Hart Mansion — and this girl knows her history. Saletore, a Saugus High School graduate, began her career at the William S. Hart Mansion during the summer of 2000 while a student at College of the Canyons. She applied and was accepted into the Getty Intern Program. "It's an awesome program," Saletore said. "It doesn't matter if you are interested in art or museums. I was involved in developing and leading a junior volunteer program." A turning point in her career came when the administrator at Fox, where she was interning, asked if she wanted to stay on part-time after her internship expired. "He asked me what I wanted to do with my life if money didn't play a part," Saletore said. "I thought hard and realized I always wanted to work in a museum." Although Saletore was majoring in math, she always had an interest in art and history, having volunteered at the Saugus Train Station since she was in elementary school. Volunteering and enjoying history was bred into her, she said. Her mother, Pat Saletore, is the executive director of the Santa Clarita Valley Historical Society. Ayesha Saletore took the part-time job and completed her education at California State University, Northridge, with a degree in business administration. She was hired as the museum administrator, and along with a co-worker, Saletore trains and recruits volunteers to give tours to the public and to students through the museum's Educational Outreach Program. Saletore also monitors the massive historical collection at the Hart Mansion. "We are a member of the National History Museum (system)," she said. "We have the experts and the resources through them even though they are not physically at the museum." Inside the mansion, Hart has an impressive display of Western and native American art. There are three collectable display cases, and these items, along with an extensive Navajo rug collection, are rotated for public viewing as well as for the health of each item, Saletore said. Although not a hunter, Hart also had a rather large collection of guns and rifles. "We don't display the handguns anymore due to a previous break-in. We now have extensive security." Coupled with the museum is a county park, and Saletore said she likes to think there is something for everyone at the Hart Mansion. "It doesn't matter what your interest is — whether a picnic in the park or admiring the farm animals in our barnyard," she said. "We have a whole herd of bison, and we always have babies born. "I grew up around this, but so many children in Santa Clarita haven't had this opportunity." Pat Saletore said her daughter has really accomplished something at such a young age. "I know I am prejudiced, but she is really doing a great job. She is an example of how volunteering can help your career, and I use her life all the time to talk to people about docenting with their children." Asked if she has any regrets about not leaving Santa Clarita, Ayesha Saletore said she's happy here. "Santa Clarita keeps me grounded," she said. "I've done a lot of traveling, and it's nice to have a home base where you are happy." Saletore is currently working on the promotion of silent films. On March 8, in collaboration with the Historical Society, there will be a screening of Charlie Chaplin's film "The Pilgrim" in celebration of the movie's eighty-fifth anniversary. Saletore advises the public to check out the museum's Web page for upcoming series including "Music in the Mansion" and Cowboy Festival activities. "The best thing about working here is the diversity I find," Saletore said. "There is something for everybody — in the museum, the park, and the collection. The volunteers are amazing, and we are always looking for more. It's always nice to come to work." This is one hometown girl who didn't have to travel far to find her passion. For more information about events at the Hart Mansion or to volunteer, visit hartmuseum.org on the Web. ©2008, Old Town Newhall USA. All rights reserved.

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