JOURNEY TO THE PAST AT HERITAGE OF THE AMERICAS MUSEUM

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By Miriam Raftery and Takayuki Higuchi

August 20, 2009 (El Cajon) –Heritage of the Americas Museum stands out as one of East County’s shining jewels—and best kept secrets. Located on the campus at Cuyamaca College in the Rancho San Diego area of El Cajon, the museum contains a dazzling collection of art as well as anthropology, natural history and archaeological artifacts sure to delight children and adults alike. (You can enjoy a tour led by the museum's curator at "Celebrate East County", a benefit event for East County Magazine on Saturday, August 29th.)
 

“This is one of the finest museums on a college campus,” said curator Kathleen Oatsvall. Asked what is most special about the facility, she replied, “The quality of the collections that the Natural History Museum and the Smithsonian Institute would love to have. The quality is outstanding, but at the same time, our focus and dedication is to educate children.”

 

Last year, over 4,000 children visited the museum, which began as a private collection of Bernard Lueck. A trip to the museum is a journey back through time, enabling visitors to enjoy prehistoric and historic art, culture and natural history from throughout North and South America. In addition, the museum houses one of the finest collection of Chinese artifacts in the world—including a rare jade burial suit and Han Dynasty artifacts. The Chinese called jade the “stone of heaven” and believed wearing it would assure immortality.
 

Native American and Western artwork are also on display – including a Remington bronze sculpture (photo, left) and two original Olaf Wieghorst paintings. “He was the first person to sell a painting for over a million dollars while he was still alive,” Oatsvall said of the late El Cajon artist, Wieghorst, whose works have been owned by several presidents and movie star John Wayne. A dramatic Native American-themed painting by former Padre player Gene Locklear is also on display.
 

A magnificent display of meteorites and quartz crystals are also on display, as well as seashells and fossils. In the archaeology wing, check out a giant mastodon and newly added duckbill dinosaur eggs.

The natural history wing also includes displays of mammals ranging from grizzly bears to coyotes.

In the anthropology wing, treasures include a buffalo hide council robe of Cheyenne Chief Thunderbird, eagle feathered headdresses and colorful tribal clothing from North American and Peruvian Indians, as well as Huichoi beaded Jaguar heads. Many of the North and South American artifacts are similar to those of island cultures also exhibited, showing similarities among cultures that may be the result of ancient people reaching North America via a land bridge long since vanished.

The museum offers numerous educational programs, including College for Kids, field trips and other special events. On September 12th at 1 p.m., author James Thomas will discuss his book, Corps of Discovery: Lewis and Clark. On September 19th, author Betet Blaydes Pegas will be on hand signing her book, Chasing a Dream in the Galapagos. The museum is also planning a museum members’ rummage sale featuring art, jewelry, gems and minerals, and fossils on September 25 and 26 from 8 to 4 p.m.
 

Admission to the museum is $3 for adults and $2 for seniors over 55. Children and Cuyamaca College students with ID are free.

Museum membership costs $30 for a family, $20 for an adult and $10 for seniors over 55. Children are free.
 

For more information on the museum, its educational programs, and directions, visit http://www.cuyamaca.edu/museum/default.asp
 


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