Monarchs in Miniature

British television producer Jenny Paschall arrived at the Ventura County Museum of History and Art last week in search of dramatic material on the British constitutional monarchy.

She was not disappointed.

In the museum’s Smith Gallery, she was able to film quite a few monarchs named George, Henry and Charles. They all had Roman numerals after their names, were dressed in richly decorated royal garb and stood about 2 feet tall.

Paschall had come all the way from London to film portions of the gallery’s exhibit of “The George Stuart Historical Figures,” many of which are part of the permanent collection of the museum. In addition to being broadcast in England and Europe, her TV documentary will be seen in America on the Discovery cable channel later this year.

“It was inspirational,” she said during the filming, “to actually be able to see a three-dimensional figure [of a monarch] that has such a personality--so you can see whether they were good or evil.”

Paschall, author of several books for children and producer of programs for the Nickelodeon cable channel, commented that the exhibit would be great for kids. Her new series, titled “Would You Believe it?,” for which she filmed 30 of the Stuart historical miniatures, is aimed at younger viewers.

Expressing an opinion common among visitors to this local attraction, Paschall said: “It turned out to be far more interesting than we had anticipated.” One reason may be that the exhibit, and the accompanying printed gallery guide, don’t shy away from depicting the British monarchs’ notorious mistresses, rivals, and courtiers such as Nell Gwyn and Beau Brummell.

The museum’s exhibit also was an eye-opener for the students of McKevitt Elementary teacher Terry Brenner-Farrell. She’s taken several classes--and her own children--to see the Stuart miniatures. She reports: “I have yet to be there with a young person who doesn’t find it absolutely amazing. Kids are like sponges if you give them an opportunity to absorb something.”

Another event involving historic miniatures is going on nearby Saturday and Sunday at the county fairground’s Seaside Park. Billed as “America’s Largest Touring Model Train Show,” it’s a display of thousands of toy train items, many on sale, covering 300 tables--plus eight working model railroad layouts that kids can operate. Classic old Lionel and American Flyer models as well as sub-miniature equipment will be there in abundance. “If it has wheels and runs on rails, you’ll probably see it at the show,” says Bill Grove, the event’s organizer.

BE THERE

“George Stuart Presents: The British Constitutional Monarchy” at the Ventura County Museum of History and Art’s Smith Gallery, 100 E. Main St., Ventura. Open Sat. and Sun., 10 a.m.-5 p.m. $3 general; children under 16 free. Call (805) 653-0323.

“The Great American Train Show” at Seaside Park at the Ventura County Fairgrounds, 10 W. Harbor Blvd., Ventura. Sat. and Sun., 11 a.m.-5 p.m. $5 for adults; kids under 12 free.