The opening of this exhibit also provides the opportunity to enjoy the Museum’s permanent Ship Model Gallery, showcasing a collection of more than 80 models. The collection includes the largest U.S. museum display collection of rare 18th century bone models created by French prisoners of the British during the Napoleonic Wars, plus nine models representing the life’s work of legendary Southern California master modeler Ed Marple.The Annual Ship Model Expo closes May 31st. The Ventura County Maritime Museum is located at 2731 S. Victoria Ave. on Fisherman’s Wharf at Channel Islands Harbor in Oxnard. Hours are 11 to 5 daily. Admission is free; donations appreciated. Information: 984-6260.
Maritime Museum to host Ship Model Expo
May 09, 2007
Santa Paula News
May is Ship Model Month at the Ventura County Maritime Museum, with a special exhibit on view now of dozens of models built by Southern California’s leading craftsmen.
May is Ship Model Month at the Ventura County Maritime Museum, with a special exhibit on view now of dozens of models built by Southern California’s leading craftsmen. Displayed is a broad range of vessels, from historic sailing ships to modern-day warships and workboats. Not only are the ships realistically represented in miniature, but they also reflect the extraordinary skills of their builders. Everything is done in exacting detail, and done to scale, which means all parts of the ship relate to one another in their proper proportions. Some of the models have taken as many as five years to build.Helping bring to life construction techniques as well as the colorful histories of the ships, there will be model-building demonstrations by the Maritime Museum Ship Model Guild each weekend during the show. Ever wonder how that ship got into a bottle? A model maker will be on hand to show you how it’s done!Many of the models are available for sale. A wide selection of sailing ship models are available, including decorator models as well as handcrafted/one-of-a-kind models, from small single-masted sailboats selling for $15 to $20, to 3-foot-long three-masted man-of-wars complete with case and table for $700. These beautiful pieces make the perfect gift for the sailor or sailor-at-heart! All proceeds from sales benefit the educational programs of the Museum.
