The Ventura County Maritime Museum is currently located at Fisherman’s Wharf, on the corner of Channel Islands Boulevard and Victoria Avenue in Oxnard.  The Museum was opened in 1991 and will celebrate its twentieth anniversary in February.  The permanent collection includes an unbelievable array of fine maritime art, a large number of exquisitely detailed model ships, and other marine artifacts.  The Museum is open seven days a week from 11 to 5 and has always offered free admission.  The Museum is staffed by one full time employee and 4 part time employees, and this small staff is adequate only because of the over 80 active volunteers.

Because of impending redevelopment and the desire for a larger facility, the Museum is moving from its present 5,000 sq ft location to a larger 12,000 sq ft facility on the west side of the harbor.  The Museum has purchased the rights to a building, the old Port Royal restaurant, and has entered into a long term lease with the County.  Our selected architectural firm, Lauterbach and Associates, has completed the construction drawings and we are awaiting approval by the City of Oxnard, after which we will request the required permits. Renovation is expected to commence in early 2011 and the new Museum may open as early as October 2011.

The Museum has an active Capital Campaign Committee that has raised sufficient funds to go forward with the renovation but is continuing to solicit for funding to support future operation, a building endowment fund, and a collection acquisition fund.  There are many naming opportunities still available for the major areas of the new Museum and personalized pavers to be placed in the patio are available for sale. CLICK HERE to purchase a personalized paver to support the Museum!!

The new location is a two story building on the water’s edge that includes a breathtaking panoramic view of Channel Islands Harbor.  This project will result in a modernized Maritime Museum that the citizen's of Oxnard and Ventura County will enjoy with pride.

For more information about the Museum, visit www.vcmm.org or call 805.984.6260.