Page 2 - ra_annualreport2016

Rancho Camulos Treasures Exhibited at LMU Tataviam Interpretive Village Coming in 2017

The Fernandeno Tataviam Band of Mission Indians played a
significant role in the early history of Rancho Camulos and
were living near the ranch at the time the land was given to
Antonio del Valle as a Mexican land grant in 1839. Tataviam
Indians labored for the del Valle family and helped to build the
family's home, now referred to as the "Main Adobe."

In 2016, the Museum and Tataviam Tribal Council joined
forces to begin work on an outdoor historical interpretive
area on Tataviam history and culture on the grounds south
of the Museum's 1930 schoolhouse. The village will consist
Professor Leon Wiebers works with students learning about the collection of of a dwelling (kij), a storytelling area (ramada) and a non-
Rancho Camulos vestments. functioning sweat lodge. Interpretive signage detailing the
history of the Tataviam at Camulos and native plants will also
In early 2016 an ornate and stunning collection of religious be incorporated into the area. This new educational area
vestments used in the chapel at Rancho Camulos during will greatly enhance school field trips and regular tours as
the del Valle era were showcased in an exhibit at Loyola Museum docents share the history of the Native American
Marymount University's Hannon Library. RCM worked people at Camulos. Stay tuned for updates on this exciting
closely with LMU's Archival Department and a group of LMU new project.
undergraduates studying costume research methods. The
LMU students, under the direction of Professor Leon Wiebers
and head archivist Cynthia Becht, investigated 19th-century A traditional Tataviam dwelling
California Catholic vestments that were donated to LMU by will be built at Camulos along
Josefa del Valle Forster more than seventy years ago. Josefa, with two other structures.
the oldest del Valle daughter, had a longstanding relationship The interpretive exhibit will
with the Jesuit university, located in West Los Angeles. be dedicated to sharing the
history of the indigenous
Fortunately, these extraordinary 19th-century garments are in
beautiful condition. people who were the first
Camulos inhabitants.
The student's research included a day touring Rancho Camulos
and investigating the Museum's historic collection. The
student's work culminated in an exhibit entitled "The Del Valle
Vestments: The Devotion and Performance of a Matriarchy,"
which was open to the public for four months in early 2016. PLEASE JOIN US IN 2017 FOR THESE
In addition to the del Valle vestments, items from RCM's
collection-Josefa del Valle's embroidered silk bodice, the SPECIAL EVENTS AT RCM!
chapel's glass sacred heart, a Chinese trade trunk and 19th-
century sheet music written about Rancho Camulos-
were exhibited. • Saturday, January 28 - Helen Hunt Jackson
Returns to Rancho Camulos (Living History
Before the students and Professor Wiebers began the project Re-enactment)
little was known about the sumptuous vestments that were
part of LMU's Ygnacio del Valle Family Collection, or the • Friday, April 21 - Cowboy Festival Luncheon
richness of their historical context. Rancho Camulos Museum and Concert featuring Jon Chandler
and LMU are currently making plans to collaborate on future • Friday, May 19 - Artist Day
research projects that will add to our knowledge of RCM's
unique story.
Additional special events will be announced in the
months ahead. Please visit our website for more
information at www.ranchocamulos.org.

One of several religious vestments
once worn by priests who
conducted mass in Rancho
Camulos' chapel were displayed
at an exhibit organized by student
researchers at Loyola Marymount
University in early 2016.