Commission approves night-before unveiling of State Historic District plaque and continues Ojai Day activities with museum slideshow

The Historic Preservation Commission on July 10 approved holding the unveiling ceremony for the State Historic District plaque the evening before Ojai Day, to coincide with community events and the mandala painting, and endorsed ongoing work on banners and a museum slideshow.

Commissioners discussed logistics, staffing and timing for Ojai Day. Staff and the museum reported they are producing banners and a slideshow focused on downtown history; Wendy Barker, executive director of the Ojai Valley Museum, reported the museum would present a slideshow during an interval between exhibits. Commissioner Akins and museum volunteers are coordinating banner images and a slideshow. Aswell Trophy (vendor contact Trevor Ashton) told commissioners the bronze plaque is in process and estimated casting required four to six weeks, which staff said was expected to meet Ojai Day timing.

Commissioner Akins proposed holding the plaque unveiling the evening before Ojai Day — a suggestion the commission endorsed unanimously on a roll-call vote. Commissioners noted the plaque will be covered until the unveiling and discussed whether a council ribbon-cutting or other officials should be asked to attend; staff will coordinate with council and museum schedules.

Commissioners also discussed staffing for the Ojai Day booth, the museum slideshow, and whether the plaque unveiling might be easier to arrange the night before the event when council or staff availability is better than on a busy Ojai Day.

Provenance: museum report and plaque/banner discussion begin in the staff and museum updates and end with the unanimous vote to hold the unveiling ceremony the evening before Ojai Day.