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Due to recent events, the artifact of focus today is an original 48-Star American flag from our Military Collection. The flag is an intrinsic part of American heritage, representing the unity and cohesion of the territorial spaces of which it encompasses. Originally boasting only thirteen stars in 1777, additional stars were added with each new territorial gain. In 1912, forty-six stars were present until others were added to represent Arizona and New Mexico. Two different versions of the 48-Star Flag were created: a staggered arrangement, and a more symmetrical or uniform display featuring six rows of eight stars. The latter was a recommendation by President Taft and ended up being the more common design. First flown on the 4th of July, 1912, the 48-Star Flag was in use until 1959, when it was replaced by the 49-Star Flag that commemorated the induction of Alaska into statehood. Flown for a total of forty-seven years, the 48-Star Flag remained an official flag longer than any other in American history - lasting throughout two World Wars, and the service of eight United States Presidents. PBS, The History of the American Flag Smithsonian, Three Cheers for Red, White and Blue: Facts About the United States Flag. Photo courtesy of MOAH Collections

The Western Hotel Museum was designated as a California Historical Landmark (#658) by the California Office of Historic Preservation and is one of the few remaining links to early Antelope Valley heritage. Built-in 1888, the hotel is one of Lancaster’s oldest surviving structures and acts as the largest artifact in Lancaster Museum of Art and History - MOAH's Permanent Collection. The hotel has seen several name changes over its lifetime, formerly known as the Antelope Valley Hotel and the Gillwyn Hotel, before becoming the Western Hotel in 1895. Most famously owned by early Antelope Valley pioneers, George and Myrtle ("Myrtie") Webber, the building served as a center for both commercial and social activity, playing a primary role in local historic events while in operation. For instance, the hotel housed the construction crews of the Los Angeles-Owens River Aqueduct between 1905 and 1913. The building also acted as a hospital during the Spanish Influenza epidemic in 1918. After decades of use, the structure fell into disrepair in the 1970s, and restoration efforts began to preserve an important part of Lancaster’s history. Now, more than one hundred years after its original construction, these efforts have been completed. Today, the hotel acts as a repository for artifacts that have been placed on permanent display. All of the objects exhibited at the Western Hotel focus on local themes that incorporate aspects of the AV's indigenous communities and natural history, local pioneering history, and early industries including the railroad and mining. Photograph courtesy of MOAH Collections

From October 1858 to June 1861, the only experimental American Camel Corps (with a total of 77 camels) could be seen in the neighboring Fort Tejon region. After reading a book about camels, General Edward Beale thought these animals could be used in reaching the nearly inaccessible military posts located deep in the desert. He envisioned a “camel express,” which would transport packages and mail across the landscape and proposed his ideas to Secretary of War, Jefferson Davis. Davis decided to propose Beale’s “American Camel Corps” to Congress in 1855, who invested $30,000 in camels for the experiment. From 1856 to 1857, camels landed at the mouth of the Mississippi River. Full of enthusiasm, General Beale and his men set out from New Orleans to Los Angeles. Parts of the group separated in the San Bernardino area, crossing the Cajon Pass and trekking through the Antelope Valley area, including Palmdale and Elizabeth Lake to Fort Tejon. Other groups arrived in Los Angeles and continued to Fort Tejon from Saugus and Elizabeth Lake. The camels were stationed at the fort for four months, corralling with the horses. Later, the camels were taken to Beale’s property at Tejon Ranch where he put the camels through different experiments and tests. On one occasion, fifteen camels escaped the fort and wandered away; only six of them were found near Elizabeth Lake. Although the camels were not used extensively, they were also not well received. One of the main problems associated with the American Camel Corps was finding men that knew how to handle them, as camels were somewhat ill-suited for the environment. At the end of 1859, a civilian contractor turned over 28 camels to the Army at Fort Tejon, where the post quartermaster cared for the herd until 1861; they were then was transferred to the Los Angeles Depot. Eventually, the United States Army ordered the remaining camels to be sold at an auction, where some of the animals were sold to Beale, along with a circus. When the circus went bankrupt in the 1870s, however, it released its camels and other wild animals into the surrounding desert near Fort Yuma, and for several years people reported seeing camels wandering the desert. General Beale brought several camels back to his Tejon Ranch, and could often be seen taking them to Los Angeles for supplies. “Topsy,” the last of Beale’s camels, died at Tejon Ranch in April of 1937. Photo courtesy of GoSanAngelo

This photo (c. 1910) shows the Western Hotel with the Oldham's Lancaster Bakery in the foreground. The two-story structure was once moved from Big Rock to Lancaster by Aaron Oldham and his wife Susie Oldham Davis. For the move to occur, the building had to be deconstructed and then carried across the desert in wagons. It was later reassembled on Lancaster Boulevard, where it survived until the late 1940s or early 1950s MOAH Collections and SCVHistory.com

Last Week several members of the #CountMeIn team had the pleasure of having a conversation with the owners of CDC Studios. We had a studio tour given by Mrs. Shannon Birden and had full access to each of the recording rooms, while she explained the importance of having a full entertainment recording studio in the heart of downtown Lancaster. Mr. Devin, aka Iamkingpen, invited us to sit at the meeting room; he was very eager to hear from the group leader Robin Rosenthal talk about the project. As usual, she explained with detail what #CountMeIn is and what the goals are. Mr. Kevin wanted to know how their studio could assist in this venture. What started as a conversation became a brainstorming session where we all participated. He was very excited to hear that this project will involve the talented young musicians in our community. Among several of the ideas Mr. Devin really supported was to have a writing workshop for a music project and write a song with the message #CountMeIn. As we talked about the possibilities of a music engagement, the idea of doing a video recording was brought and “We are the World” was mentioned as inspiration. David E. Martin gave us a really great phrase which became the highlight of the meeting. He said “Turn up the volume of the community”.

Here we go again. Every ten years, the U.S. Census is sent to every household in the country, in order to get an accurate population count of a given area. This process is essential because the data collected by the Census decides how many Congressional seats are needed to represent the people in each community. It also determines how necessary federal funds that power social programs, housing, and education, among other things, are distributed. Especially under the current Administration, where potential unnecessary changes to the Census would target the most vulnerable people in the country, this important time presents an opportunity to be part of something good – not only for ourselves, but also for the entire State of California. #CountMeIn Lancaster is a new initiative where artists and community leaders will work with the Lancaster Museum of Art and History (MOAH) to visit community centers and families living in Lancaster. The goal is to spread the word of why it is crucial to be counted, and to ensure that as many people as possible take part in the 2020 U.S. Census. Help us make this program a success, and you can #CountMeIn.

SPACE STUDIES —Artist Shana Mabari stands in front of the 100-inch-diameter infrared telescope at the heart of NASA’s Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy, or SOFIA, when she took part in a recent science flight on board the world-class flying telescope. She plans to use her observations during the flight for a 2020 exhibit at the Museum of Art and History in Lancaster. NASA’s Stratospheric Ob­ser­vatory for Infrared As­tron­omy, or SOFIA, reg­u­larly carries international astronomers on board its night­time flights to study the far reaches of the galaxy. The flying telescope also is employed to bring its sci­ence to life for ed­u­ca­tors and others, including most recently an artist as­so­ciated with the Museum of Art and History in Lancaster. Shana Mabari joined a flight from the ob­ser­va­tory’s home base at NASA Armstrong Flight Re­search Center’s facility in Palmdale on Dec. 11, where she gathered information to further her goal of communicating aerospace science through art. “Shana Mabari was given the opportunity to fly on a SOFIA mission to observe science being con­duct­ed first-hand. Her observations and inter­ac­tions with SOFIA’s in­ter­national team of as­tron­omers will become part of her interpretation of light along the magnetic spectrum for Antelope Val­ley’s Museum of Art and History,” USRA Manager of SOFIA Communications Nick Veronico said. SOFIA is a highly modified 747 airliner that carries a 100-inch-diameter infrared telescope. By fly­ing at altitudes above 41,000 feet, the world-class telescope is above most of the atmospheric water vapor that blocks in­fra­red rays, which as­tron­omers use to study such cosmic phenomena as the formation of stars and the building blocks of the universe. Throughout the course of her 10-hour flight aboard SOFIA, Mabari observed astronomers at work, and intends to use what she saw as inspiration for an upcoming museum exhibit in 2020, which will examine light in space. Mabari is known in the Antelope Valley for her mon­u­mental sculpture “As­tral Challenger” at Chal­len­ger Way and Avenue L. “It was an honor and a privilege to experience the elegant complexities of infrared astronomy, as­tro­physics, and as­tro­chem­istry with the NASA team,” Mabari said. As an extension of Mab­ari’s project, the artist and the museum will part­ner with publisher Grif­fith Moon to create a book dedicated to the in­ter­pre­tations of the term “space” through text and images. This exhibit will also include the spatial in­stal­lation work of Laddie John Dill and photographs by artist Jay Mark Johnson. “This exhibit will forge an important connection between the arts and sci­ence, especially given the region’s deep history with aerospace and its creative innovation,” Lancaster As­sistant City Manager Ronda Perez said. “It is due to historic expeditions such as the one taken by NASA and Mabari earlier this month, that our community has become synonymous with the aerospace industry,” Lancaster Mayor R. Rex Parris said. “A new space race is underway, as so many in this ever-evolving field work to make civilian space tourism a reality. Our city champions innovation; this partnership between NASA and MOAH is yet another ‘first’ for the city of Lancaster.” SOFIA regularly hosts ed­ucators on board its flights as part of the Air­borne Astronomy Am­bas­sadors program, including several from the Antelope Valley over the years. Additionally, actress Nich­elle Nichols, best known for her role as Lt. Uhura on “Star Trek,” took part in a SOFIA mission in 2015, part of her longtime work as an ambassador for NASA’s programs and to educate and inspire future generations.

Merry Christmas from the Western Hotel Museum! This photo, taken of Christmas day 1901, depicts a group of early pioneers relaxing in the day's latest fashions. Pictured, from left to right, are (front row) G.O. Francis, R. Atman, G.J. Fonda, and Tom Menzies with Mrs. and Mr. Wilcox standing behind them. Photo courtesy of MOAH Collections

A cold snowy day in Lancaster c. 1903. Looking east from Antelope Avenue and Tenth Street, you can see Mr. Knight’s section house, the depot, the Lancaster Hotel on the right, and a railroad house on the left. Photo courtesy of MOAH Collections

This photo shows young Harold Mitchell and some puppies seated on the Western Hotel’s porch (c. 1908). In June 1892, the Lancaster Gazette wrote: “Dogs run amok in Lancaster. Lancaster might be called dog town. Their number is legion. Their fights and their howls may be heard at all hours of the day. There are big dogs, little dogs, Newfoundland dogs, Poodle dogs, Mastiffs, hounds, coach dogs, and scrub dogs!" "Gurba, Norma H. Lancaster. Arcadia, 2005. Photo courtesy of MOAH Collections"

In 1861, Wade “Hamp” Williams Sr. (1817-1899), a place miner, discovered the famous Joe Walker Mine. He originally underestimated the mine’s value and quickly sold it for $2,000. The new owner reportedly made $25,000 within the first month and eventually became a millionaire. His son, Wade “Hamp” Williams Jr., also attempted prospecting and made a minor strike on his first day at the Amelia Mine. In 1919, he and another miner, Jack Nosser, discovered silver at the Kelly Rand Silver Mine. Hamp Jr. eventually sold his share of the silver mine for $50,000. This photo depicts miners Jack Nosser (left), Hamp Williams Jr. (center), and John Kelly. Photo courtesy of MOAH Collections

Juanita Nuñez Crothers (1922-1993) moved to the valley in 1950, where her husband Wilbur James Crothers (1911-1998), founded the Desert News Company. As a self-taught artist and Lancaster resident, Juanita consistently promoted the arts and noted Walt Lee as her greatest mentor. Crothers served as director of the Antelope Valley Allied Arts Association Art Gallery from 1965 to 1969. She later purchased the Lancaster Fire Station Company No. 33 (dating back to 1929) and used the building to operate the Crothers Fine Art Gallery, which provided local artists with community exposure. From the 1950s until her death, Crothers served as the chairperson of the Antelope Valley Fair Art Show, supervising the hanging of more than 500 paintings per year. "Gurba, Norma H. Legendary Locals of the Antelope Valley. Arcadia, 2013. Photo courtesy of MOAH Collections"