San Buenaventura Heritage, Inc. (SBH) is a non-profit 501c3 educational and charitable corporation founded in 1978 which is active in historic preservation in the City of San Buenaventura (Ventura), California. The primary focus of SBH is the preservation of the Dudley House, an 1892 Victorian farm house. The house and SBH headquarters are located at 197 N. Ashwood, the corner of Ashwood and Loma Vista in Ventura.
The house has been an ongoing preservation activity since 1977. Owned by the city since 1977, SBH was formed and took over the project when proposition 13 prevented the city from continuing to fund the project. The interior is complete with much of the original Dudley furniture returning to the house in 2006 from the estate of the late Johanna Dudley Overby. The terraces and pergola for outdoor events have been installed on the north side of the house, and the newly installed demonstration lavender garden with some 100 plants featuring over 65 varieties is on the south side of the house. The house is a living history museum reflecting the life of the Dudley family. The b basement is used as a community room and visitor center with cooking facilities and is available for small events and receptions. Larger events can be held outside on the grounds.
SBH is run by board of directors and meets the first Wednesday of the month at 7:30pm. The board has committees for restoration, interior design, fundraising, docents, and house operations. Events sponsored by SBH include:
The Dudley House is open for tours the first Sunday of the month from 1pm to 4pm from January to November . The house is also open July 4 (hours depending on docent availability), and during other special events.
The house also available for group tours, including school and children's group tours by appointment. Call Sheri Oelschlager at (805)-667-8042.
During open houses, pre-1930 recordings transferred to CDs are played. A new
recording is played each month on the Victrola console in the parlor. The
recording schedule 2013 is as follows:
DUDLEY HOUSE HISTORIC RECORDING SERIES 2013 SCHEDULE
Ashwood & Loma Vista,
Performed During
(Subject to change depending on availability
of records)
(For information call (805)-644-3286)
Luisa Tetrazzini, Comkplete Recordings, Vol 1, Recordings from 1908-09
Sunday, February 3, 2013
1pm to 4pm
The Cingles du Music-Hall 1929 Recordings from 19
Sunday, March 3, 2013
1pm to 4pm
Bessie Smith Recordings Volume 2, Part 1 Recordings from 192
Sunday, April 7, 2013
1pm to 4pm
Pol Plancon, Vol. 2 Recordings from
Argentina in Paris. Recordings from 1926 to 1928
Memphis Jug Band. Recordings from 1927 to 1934
Sunday, July 7, 2013
1pm to 4pm
Louis Armstrong Recordings Vol. 2, Part 3 Recordings from 1925.
Sunday, August 4, 2013 1pm to 4pm
Charles Peguri. Recordings from 1907 to 1930
Sunday, September 1, 2013
1pm to 4pm
Early Tzigane Records, Vol. 2, 1905 to 1922
Sunday, October 6, 2013 1pm to 4pm.
The Naughty 1920s, Vol 1, Recordings from the 1920s
Emma Eames. Vol. 2, Recordings from 1906 to 1911.
CDs of radio shows are performed in the radio consdole on the second floor hallway. The 2013 schedule is as follows:
DUDLEY HOUSE OLD TIME RADIO 2013 SCHEDULE
Ashwood & Loma Vista,
Performed During
All shows 30 minutes repeated unless
otherwise noted
(For information, call (805)-644-3286)
Sherlock Holmes-The Adventure of the Empty House, April 11, 1948
Lights Out-Valse Triste, December 29, 1942
Sunday, March 3, 2013
1pm to 4pm
My Favorite Husband-George is Messy, June 4, 1950
Sunday, April 7, 2013
1pm to 4pm
Sherlock Holmes-The Case of the Very Best Butter, April 18, 1948 .
The Whuistler-Blue Alibi, June 14, 1950
Sunday, June 2, 2013
1pm to 4pm
The Life of Riley-Basketbal Game...Bribe?, March 23, 1951
Sunday, July 7, 2013
1pm to 4pm
Fibber McGee and Molly-Too Much Energy, Janaury 23, 1945
Sunday, August 4, 2013 1pm to 4pm
Sherlock Holmes-The Adventure of the Sinister Crate of Cabbages, May 2, 1948
Sunday, September 1, 2013
1pm to 4pm
Mystery in the Air-The Horla, February 12, 1946
Sunday, October 6, 2013 1pm to 4pm.
Orson Welles Mercury Theater-War of the Worlds (1hr), October 30, 1938
Sunday, November 3, 2013 1pm to 4pm
The Great Gilderesleeve-The Jolly Boys Band, November 23, 1949
No shows in December due to Dudley House Victorian Holiday
Boutique.
Talks are offered for
The docent program performs various
The house, basement and grounds can be used for special events, such as weddings and receptions. Maximum occupancy in the house is 49 people for small events with no food or drink and the existing museum furniture in place. The Loma Vista outdoor area can accommodate approximately100 people, limitations depending on type of event. Call Jan Hunter at (805)-654-8381 or Steve Cummings at (805)-644-3286.
For more information on the Dudley House Lavender Garden, please go to http://www.dudleythouselavender.com.
The 20th Dudley House Victorian Holiday Boutique will again be from 10am to 6pm on the Friday, Saturday and Sunday starting on ther Friday after Thanksgiving, November 29. The dates are November 29, 30 December 1, 6,7, 8,13,14,15. One of the great events of the Holiday season on the Central Coast, the House is decorated inside by dozens of crafters who will be selling their items. For information on the event call Jan Hunter at (805)-654-8381.
SBH is a membership organization of dues-paying members,docents, and volunteers. If you would like to work on our project call Steve Cummings at (805)-644-3286 or email at sc@cummingsresearch.com. All donations to SBH are tax deductible. Please send them to San Buenaventura Heritage, Inc., P.O. Box 6803, Ventura CA 93006-6803.
San Buenaventura Heritage, Inc.
P.O. Box 6803
Ventura, California 93006-6803
U.S.A.
(805)-644-3286
email: sc@cummingsresearch.com
Last Updated April 27, 2013