RANCHO EVENTS

Christmas Open House

Sunday, December 6, 1-4 p.m. Free

Guests can experience 19th century Christmas traditions at the adobe

home, decorated for the season, and discover 19th century Mexican

and American holiday traditions. Children can participate in crafts and

activities from the California frontier, and will be able to take home

their own hand-made decorations. Live holiday music, piñata breaking,

storytelling and a visit from Santa will certainly make this a memorable

event! Light refreshments served.

Christmas Candlelight Tours

Saturday & Sunday, December 12 & 13, between 6:30-9:30 p.m.

Step back in time to December 26, 1880, celebrate a Victorian

Christmas at Rancho Los Cerritos and meet the Bixby family, friends

and workers on this active sheep ranch in the years before Long

Beach was founded. A costumed docent will guide guests through the

adobe house by lamplight. $10/person includes refreshments and live

music. Advance reservations are required.

Tea with the Hathaway Sisters

Tuesday, October 27, 2 p.m. $20 per person.

Spend a lovely afternoon at the Rancho with the Hathaway Sisters for

tea and conversation. Learn how three of the women married into the

Bixby family, and the roles all experienced as women living in

Southern California during the second half of the 19th century. A traditional

tea will be served. Reservations required by October 22.

Living History Tours

Sunday, January 31, 1-4 p.m. Free

Rancho Los Cerritos invites guests to take a Living History tour of the

1844 Ranch house and discover some of the unique stories of people

who once lived and worked at the site. Among the conglomeration/

gathering of historic characters will be Margaret Bixby, who will be discussing

family life on a 19th century ranch, blacksmith Charlie

Emerson who will take visitors on an exploration of the working ranch,

and Llewellyn Bixby, Sr., who will talk about how the crumbling adobe

was transformed into a modern home in the 1930s. Through their own

personal experiences, these “living” history characters will take you to

the realms somewhere between 1840-1940. public.

Winter Lecture Series

3rd Saturdays, January-April, 10 a.m.

Many legends and stories were born during the years when Spanish

was the language of California. The arrival of English speakers added

considerably to the history and “romance” of the State. This year’s

lecture series will explore many of the stories – both factual and fabricated

– that make California culture so fascinating. Check the

Rancho’s website for specifics: www.rancholoscerritos.org

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

Volunteer Opportunities Coffee

Saturday, January 23, 10 a.m.

Sharing California history with visitors as a tour guide, teaching crafts

and activities at family events, gardening, working on historic collections,

and greeting guests in the Museum Gift Shop are just some of

the exciting volunteer opportunities available for you at the Rancho.

Join us for a free continental breakfast and learn all about public

events and behind-the-scenes activities that go on at Rancho Los

Cerritos – you’re sure to find something that sparks your interests and

utilizes your talents!. Whether you can give a couple hours a month,

or 410 hours a week, we have a place for you. Free seminar and

light refreshments. Reservations required.

Volunteer Tour Docent

10 Wednesday evenings, beginning February 3, 7-9 p.m.

Have a passion for history? Enjoy meeting people from all over the

country? Want to improve your public speaking skills? Share the rich

history of Rancho Los Cerritos with visitors as a tour docent!

Volunteers attend a 10-week training class that covers California and

Rancho history in depth, as well as adobe architecture, decorative

arts, the gardens, interpretation techniques, and public speaking.

Upon completion of the class, docents provide guided tours for the

public on one weekend day per month (4 hours), where they will have

the opportunity to inspire curiosity and respect for the past and connect

visitors with community, history and culture. Experience this

rewarding opportunity by calling (562) 570-1755.

Teen Volunteers

Earn service learning hours for graduation by assisting with special

events and projects throughout the year. Call the volunteer coordinator

at (562) 570-1755 to discuss opportunities.