The Museum of Ventura County invites you to join us for the next installment of our bi-monthly Zoom series, Local History Happy Hour. In this series, local authors and historians will sit down with The Barbara Barnard Smith Executive Director Elena Brokaw to discuss their unique perspectives on our region’s history, and take questions from the audience.

Mark your calendars for Tuesday, June 15, 2021 @ 5—6PM for the next installment featuring Betsy Chess, author of “Daughter of the Land: Growing Up in the Citrus Capital of the World.” Admission is free with registration.

You can preorder your copy of “Daughter of the Land: Growing Up in the Citrus Capital of the World” here.

Born in Santa Paula, California, Betsy attended high school at the Bishop’s School for Girls in La Jolla and did both graduate and postgraduate work at the University of Southern California, earning a master of arts degree in modern European history.

Since 1988, she has pursued a dual career both as an agricultural journalist and non-profit arts manager, editing and publishing the Central Coast Farm & Ranch magazine while serving in top executive positions for the New West Symphony, the Rubicon Theater Company and the Museum of Ventura County.

Betsy has been recognized numerous times for her work in the arts and the community. She has earned five Paul Harris awards from the Rotary Club of Ventura; received a Woman of Vision award from the Ventura Interfaith Ministerial Association; and an Arts Star award from the Ventura County Arts Council.

Additionally, she was honored by Women’s Economic Ventures as a Trailblazer; chosen Ventura County Volunteer of the year by the American Society of Fundraising Professionals; and named one of the “25 over 50” by the Ventura County Star newspaper.

Local History Happy Hour will return in July and August. More information will be available in the coming weeks.