On April 19 at the Channel Islands Maritime Museum historian and author, Cherie Brant will give her lecture “Shifting Sands: The Early Years of Channel Islands Harbor”. The story of the Channel Island and Hueneme Harbors is a fascinating example of how engineering designs and shifting sands can benefit or threaten coastal communities. Channel Islands Harbor, one of the jewels of Ventura County, was built to meet the growing need for a recreational small craft facility. Hueneme Harbor, completed in 1939, was designed to be a commercial hub. The harbor was a success, but its construction caused erosion problems that threatened the town of Port Hueneme and Navy facilities along the coast. The history of constructing Channel Islands Harbor shows how that challenge was met.

The Channel Islands Maritime Museum hours are Monday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday 10-4 and Sunday 12-4. The museum is located in Oxnard’s Channel Islands Harbor at 3900 Bluefin Circle. Explore galleries full of rare and beautiful maritime paintings dating back to the 1600’s, more than sixty world-class models of historic ships, rotating thematic fine arts exhibitions, and interactive exhibits that encourage visitors to expand their horizons about everything maritime.

Museum entry is $7 adults, $5 seniors, $3 children (ages 6-17), and free for members and children under 6. Third Thursday of the month is free. Info: cimmvc.org or (805) 984-6260.