The Life and Art of Betty Lou Nichols

The name Betty Lou Nichols is associated mostly with the popular head vases of the late 1940s and 1950s. Yet Betty Lou also made a variety of figurines and paintings as well.

Visit the La Habra Historical Museum, 215 E. La Habra Blvd, La Habra and learn about this local artist who operated her ceramics business in La Habra from 1945-1962.

View some rare art pieces that have been obtained by the museum for this exhibit.

The Life and Art of Betty Lou Nichols, opens January 7 and runs through March 31, 2012.

There is no charge for admission. The museum is open on Saturdays from 12-4 p.m.

Submitted by Suzette Eschberger.

Exhibit Schedule through March 2012

The La Habra Historical Museum will be closed over the holidays.

Exhibit dates for 2012 will be as follows:

2012
January 7, 14, 21, 28
February 4, 11, 18, 25
March 3, 10, 17, 24, 31

Have a wonderful Holiday Season and we'll see you again in January 2012!

Please feel free to post photos and comments!

A Muckenthaler History Day at the LHHM

Date: Saturday, December 10, 2011
Time: 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM

Zoot Velasco, Executive Director of the Muckenthaler Cultural Center, will be at the La Habra Historical Museum to sign the new book, Arcadia's Images of America: The Muckenthaler Cultural Center.

There will also be a power point presentation of the history of the Muckenthaler family and North Orange County.

Hope to see you there!

Submitted by Suzette Eschberger

New Exhibit Opens this Saturday

Don't forget new changing exhibit opens this Saturday!!!

Christmas with Betty Lou Nichols

November 12 through December 17, 2011
Saturdays, Noon-4:00 p.m.

Share photo of your favorite piece!

Swamp Lily Now at Museum

Eunice Launer Harris and Swamp Lily

The Swamp Lily is here at the museum! It is wonderful to have a living artifact that represents a significant era of La Habra and the determined pioneers who settled in the area.

The lily and the plaque were generously donated to the museum by Launer family members.

It is now in its dormant stage, but stop by and take a look at the Swamp Lily, a direct (and living) tie to La Habra's past, and the beautiful plaque.

THE SWAMP LILY

AMACRINUM

Generic Hybrid Between AMARYLLIS and CRINIUM

In 1898 John and Anna Launer and their sons traveled by train from Highland, Illinois to settle in La Habra with other Swiss families.

There was an accident in Arizona and the Launers' freight car was damaged.

This Swamp Lily is a descendant of the original plant saved from the wreck.

The plant has persevered through the years thanks to the loving care given by generations of family members, and now the Swamp Lily is back on the original 20 acres once owned by the Launer family.

Ruthmarie Launer Gruber and Eunice Launer Harris.

Christmas with Betty Lou Nichols

November 12 through December 17, 2011
Saturdays, Noon-4:00 p.m.

Our new changing exhibit, Christmas with Betty Lou Nichols, features the La Habra artist's distinctive Christmas ceramics, and also some of her other art work.

Betty Lou Nichols started creating ceramics in her parent's backyard in La Habra in 1945. By 1949, she employed 30 full-time employees.

Unfortunately, Betty Lou's designs could not be copyrighted and, in 1962, she had to close her shop, Betty Lou Nichols Ceramics, due to the low-cost Japanese replicas flooding the market.

However, she began painting and we are fortunate enough to be able to display a few of them.

Plan on joining us for a charming look into La Habra's artistic heritage!

Submitted by Suzette Eschberger

Volunteers Rock!

A HUGE thanks to our loyal, reliable, and hard-working volunteers!

Margie Bush and Barbara Iiams recently helped visitors learn about the history of La Habra and the museum's mission.

Volunteers rock! Sign up to be a docent! Meet great people and share La Habra's history! Wear these cool vests!

Check out our Facebook page for more photos.

La Habra High School Class of 1961

Hope you have had a chance to drop by and see the new exhibit by the La Habra High School 50th Reunion Class of 1961.

Displays include period desks and binders with information on each classmate from the graduating class.

Museum is open Saturdays from noon to 4:00 p.m.