Channel Islands Maritime Museum Opens

Byline: Catherine French

CHANNEL ISLANDS HARBOR — Under sunny skies, a large crowd of visitors, guests, museum staff members and docents celebrated the grand opening of the Channel Islands Maritime Museum (formerly the Ventura County Maritime Museum), with a ribbon cutting ceremony Sept. 30.

Surrounded by local dignitaries, museum executive director Gene Harter said, “It’s a great day for the harbor and the local community — and the museum.”

Situated harborside at 3900 Bluefin Circle, on the west side of Channel Islands Harbor, the exhibit space showcases a wide variety of original maritime artwork, ship models and other visitor attractions. The building offers both harbor and mountain views.

Open to the public daily 11 a.m.-5 p.m., the new larger location has expanded capacity for new and traveling exhibits, as well as the ability to accommodate larger student groups that can come to learn about the local maritime heritage.

For more information, visit vcmm.org or call (805) 984-6260.