The Museum of the San Fernando Valley in Northridge is dedicated to the art, culture and history of the Valley, offering programs that include oral histories and historic walking tours. Its sculpture garden is filled with works by artists including muralist and sign painter Hector Ponce and sculptor Shahin Atigheh.
In 2023, the museum received a grant from the Los Angeles City Department of Cultural Affairs to create an inclusive historical timeline of the Valley that displays the moments that shaped the area going back 65 million years ago.
Jackie Langa, timeline project director and treasurer of the museum, said, “For the first time, the museum is shedding light on both traditional historical narratives as well as narratives of underrepresented Valley groups whose histories had been glossed over or omitted in mainstream historical narratives. These are the stories that make Valley history complete.”
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The Museum of the San Fernando Valley President Michel Stevens and Treasurer Jackie Langa stand on 100-year-old steps in Northridge CA. Saturday, June 14, 2025. (Photo by Gene Blevins, Contributing Photographer)
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The Museum of the San Fernando Valley President Michel Stevens and Treasurer Jackie Langa stand on 100-year-old steps in Northridge CA. Saturday, June 14, 2025. (Photo by Gene Blevins, Contributing Photographer)
The San Fernando Valley Historical Timeline project is a collaboration with the Pacoima Historical Society, the San Fernando Valley Japanese-American Community Center, the Fernandeno-Tataviam Band of Mission Indians, California State University Northridge, and other local historians.
The timeline project is made up of nine 4’ x 6’ panels that show the Valley’s pre-history through 1950. The timeline project will be completed in 2026 ending with the year 2010.
Michel Stevens, president of the museum, said, “We work hard to promote, preserve and engage Museum of the San Fernando Valley members, donors and visitors on the history, arts and culture of the San Fernando Valley.”
The museum offers programs including an artist/history speaker series, a Public Arts Initiative featuring museum-based artists leading community mural projects, a yearly artist festival, inside and outside exhibits about the Valley, and free events such as the Pan-Asian Pacific Arts and Cultural Festival, Black History Month event, Latino Heritage Day event and the family-fun Book Faire and book drive.