Staff Report

Take the opportunity to explore the rich history and culture of Solvang and the Santa Ynez Valley as four local museums offer special activities and artist presentations along with free admission on Sat., March 18 during Santa Ynez Valley Museum Day.

Elverhøj Museum of History & Art will offer fun interactive activities for all ages. Meet a Viking woman and journey back to everyday life 1,000 years ago, make Danish paper crafts, observe the intricate art of bobbin lacemaking, or visit the diorama cottage and see how different downtown Solvang looked in the 1920s. Local artist Luis Ramirez will be painting in the gallery where his work is currently on display in the new exhibition Recuérdame/Remember Me. The day concludes with an Artist Dialogue at 4 p.m. with a social hour immediately following.

Stories from the “father of the modern fairy tale”, Hans Christian Andersen, are featured at the Hans Christian Andersen Museum housed in the second story above The Book Loft. H. C. Andersen (1805-1875), as he is known in his native Denmark, authored such classic favorites as “The Ugly Duckling”, “The Little Mermaid”, “The Emperor’s New Clothes” and “The Princess and the Pea”. The museum is filled to the rafters with copies of Andersen’s books, sketches, silhouettes and memorabilia.

Try your hand at creating a still life drawing, an origami critter or make your own paper mosaic animal at the Wildling Museum of Art and Nature. The museum holds three floors of exhibitions, celebrating the landscapes of our Santa Barbara region and beyond, and a spectacular Valley Oak Mural, created by artist John Iwerks.

Santa Ynez Valley Historical Museum and Parks-Janeway Carriage House has one of the finest collections of stagecoaches and horse-drawn wagons you’ll find anywhere including one “Horseless Carriage/Wagon,” located in the Parks-Janeway Carriage House. Enjoy the Native West Room as you enter the Museum and continue on to visit the courtyard and exhibits in the Pioneer Room, reminiscent of a late 19^th century home, Jeannette Lyons Room, the new gallery room and more. Enjoy fresh buttery popcorn served from a historic horse-drawn popcorn wagon.