Museum’s Roadshow Brings Out Memories for Seniors

Docents of the Bowers Museum of Cultural Art came up with the idea of traveling exhibits years ago, when the building was closed for remodeling.

Instead of disbanding the roadshow when the museum reopened in October 1992, however, they shifted the focus to patrons who are not able to visit the Santa Ana facility: senior citizens.

Two or three times a week, the docents load their cars with turn-of-the-century objects from the museum’s surplus collection and travel to senior apartment houses and retirement homes to set up exhibits.

The shows focus on everyday items that they hope will bring back pleasant memories for the seniors they visit.

“It’s fun to do,” said Gayle McGrew, chairwoman of the museum’s senior outreach program.

On a recent visit to Triangle Terrace, a complex in Orange, McGrew and volunteer Jean Woltz showed a group of patrons some items from the days when Orange County was part of Mexico and Bernardo Yorba ran a ranch on nearby land.

As they displayed wood spigots for wine barrels, flatirons and lariats, McGrew and Woltz entertained the audience with stories of Yorba’s life. (He allegedly fathered 21 children and was too busy to attend one of his three weddings. Instead, he sent a proxy to that ceremony, McGrew said.)

The docents, who traverse the county from Fullerton to San Clemente, have three demonstrations.

The one they presented in Orange is “Rancho California.” The two others are “The Magic of Childhood” and “Remember When,” which centers on vintage household items, clothing and antique toys.

Triangle Terrace residents were enthusiastic. “It brought back memories,” said Lee Watkins, 84.

Information: (714) 567-3600 or (714) 893-5998.