Somehow I missed this blog I had written about my San Diego trip so please indulge me in this last note on a terrific trip.
It was my loss to not further explore the Julian Pioneer Museum in Julian, CA as part of my San Diego trip. I looked around it briefly but then my tour guide arrived and we were on our way. Although I have said before that I am not particularly enamored with spending hours in old museums, it is where you find out a whole bunch about the area you are visiting. And, if you spend enough time, you will ALWAYS find something of interest.
In scanning the reviews, one of the things most mentioned was the “finest lace collection west of the Mississippi River” and other clothing from 1896 to 1913. The museum isn’t called Julian’s “Little Attic” for nothing, but then I suppose almost any museum could have that nickname. It has photographs, household equipment and goods, spinning wheels, dolls, even pianos, and a buggy and sleigh, along with Indian artifacts and the usual stuffed local animals and birds.
With gold being discovered in 1869, you can expect gold-mining equipment and all types of remnants from those days. Julian is also into farming, fruit orchards and vineyards so you will find many things pertaining to those areas. Reviews said that it was crowded but interesting and that, too, could be said for many old museums. My guide, David Lewis, described it as “cluttered…but not to be missed.”
Actually, I’m a little confused as to the history of the museum but apparently in the mid 1880s, it started life as a brewery, and was later converted into and for many years used as a blacksmith shop before falling into complete disrepair. Eventually it was revamped by the Julian Woman’s Club, along with various other organizations, and opened to the public as a museum in 1952. It was remodeled in 1988 and grew from 1,400 square feet to 2,120 square feet.
Outside is a really nice shaded picnic area with restrooms. This is in the Historical part of town so most everything is within walking distance. This is a nice spot to sit and contemplate. God Bless until next week.
Minshall’s RVing Alaska and Canada ($19.95) is available thru Amazon. (RVing Adventures with the Silver Gypsy is no longer available.)
At 45, Widow Minshall began 20 years of solo full-time RVing throughout Alaska, Mexico, and Canada. Sharlene canoed the Yukon, mushed sled dogs, worked a dude ranch, visited Hudson Bay polar bears, and lived six months on a Mexican beach. She lectured at Life on Wheels, published six RV-related books and wrote a novel, “Winter in the Wilderness.”
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