The Dominguez Rancho Adobe Museum has had a successful year in 2012, hosting various events and programs focused on early California history. Upcoming events include an ice cream social and a concert, while free tours for school children have brought over 8,000 students to the museum in recent years. The museum is supported by generous donations and volunteer efforts, contributing to its vibrant community involvement and preservation efforts.

1. Summer 2012
It is hard to believe that it is now the beginning of July. Where has the time
gone? The Museum has seen a very successful year in 2012 and continues to
produce activities, events, programming, and tours with the goal of preserving
and increasing community awareness of early California history as it relates to the
Dominguez family, homestead adobe, and the Rancho San Pedro, the first Spanish
land grant in California.
Our annual Spring Tea was on April 28th and was a fantastic success. It exceeded
everyone’s expectations. More of an intimate affair, there were 190 people of all
ages attending. The performance given by Janice Guerrero about youngest daugh-
ter Maria de los Reyes was magnificent, the food and tea were delectable, and
everyone who attended was able to take a photo commemorating the day that can
Pin Cushion Tree Flower from the Garden Tour be found on the Museum’s Facebook page.
Our speaker series continued with a talk about the Gardens of the South Bay in
May, and our Adobe Brick Activity was fantastic. 100 people attended and this
year people were not only making an abode brick from start to finish, they were
able to watch a blacksmithing demonstration, make a candle, and also pan for
gold! The assayers table was busy throughout the afternoon collecting gold nug-
gets that could be traded for items such as writing pens to bring home. It was a
fun-filled afternoon for all.
This summer is going to be a sizzling hot summer. In the month of August we fea-
ture our 4th annual Ice Cream Social on August 12th at 12pm, and our 2nd annual
Concert in the Park takes place on August 26th at 5pm featuring Camino Rio.
Camino Rio is a superb ensemble of professional musicians led by Los Angeles
concert guitarist Karl F. Grossman. His music is California Rockin’ Rhumba with
influences of Flamenco and Latin Jazz and exciting vocal harmonies. Mark your
calendars for both events.
Fall has many fun events so please keep checking out the Museum’s Facebook
Adobe Day Brick Making page and our website at www.dominguezrancho.org. We are planning a pumpkin
decorating contest and hay maze in October.
The Museum is a vibrant place and we are so pleased to be able to continue our
programming. As always, none of this would be possible without the gener-
ous financial support of the patrons of the Friends of Rancho San Pedro and our
wonderful volunteers and docents. It is because of your collective financial and
volunteer commitment to the Rancho that we are able to provide all the unique
and interesting programming that the Museum offers.
If you would like to become a supporter of the Friends of Rancho San Pedro
and the Museum there are many ways to contribute. Please contact us to find out
more. There’s so much happening, come and experience the Museum!
Alison Bruesehoff
Alison Bruesehoff
Adobe Day Blacksmithing Museum Executive Director
newsletter_spring2012.indd 1 4/12/2012 4:18:31 PM

2. Baldwin’s American Fodder Cutter
Standing against a wall in the kitchen of the Adobe is a four-legged, half wooden and half iron machine.
Standing at about four feet tall and a curious-looking thing, the function of this machine is not immedi-
ately discernible. Raised letters on its iron head read: Pat’d July 30, 1867, No. 10 Improved Baldwin’s
American Fodder Cutter.
Our research discovered that the purpose of the fodder cutter was to assure that nothing was wasted in the
production of corn processing. After the corn had already been harvested, shucked, shelled, and ground,
the corn stalks would be put through the cutter and ground down for cattle feed. The efficiency of this
machine was remarkable, a time saver as opposed to cutting by hand.
According to American Agriculturist, dated 1877, The Baldwin American Fodder Cutter was made by
C. Pierpont & Co. in New Haven, Connecticut. This particular model was a major improvement upon
previous models because the knives in the machine were designed in a spiral shape and “cut in opposition
to an iron plate, in the manner of a pair of shears.” The machine was also self-feeding; its largest model
could cut up to two tons of fodder in an hour. The size of our machine was capable of cutting about 110
pounds of fodder per hour. This meant major food production in a short period of time with fewer hands
to do the work, and allowed more cows to be fed, which in turn became more food for humans to eat.
Even more impressive, this machine was invented during a period of substantial growth in regards to
farming technology. The farming industry was decidedly expanding and there were more and more
American mouths to feed. However, there were still major setbacks in 1867. Utilizing horses was the only
means of quickening the pace of harvesting, as the steam tractor had only just been invented and was not
in widespread use. At the time, it took about 75-90 hours of labor to produce 100 bushels of corn.
It is certainly fitting that The Dominguez family would have used a machine like this for their agricultural
purposes. The propensity for corn in California made a machine like the Baldwin a necessity.
Resources:
http://inventors.about.com/library/inventors/blfarm1.htm
American Agriculturist – Google Books
Baldwin Food Fodder

3. Schools, Schools, and more Schools
One of the Museum’s goals has been to provide free tours for school age
children throughout the year. With the help of the Norris Foundation and the
Friends of Rancho San Pedro, the Museum has been able to meet that goal.
While schools throughout the local communities are facing budget cuts, the
Museum has been helping by offering tours free of charge to many of our
local schools. Some schools qualify for free bus reimbursement of up to $250
per school.
During the past three years, including 2012, over 8,000 school children have
visited the Rancho where they are taken an interactive tour of the Museum
and participated in hands-on activities geared to their grade’s California state
social studies/history curriculum. Just in 2012, 3,200 school children from
35 schools have visited, from LAUSD, Compton, and other school districts
from Huntington Beach up to North Hollywood. It is wonderful to have all of
these students visit and learn about their California and local history.
Adobe Brick Making on Tours
If you know a teacher interested in booking a school tour, please have them
contact the Museum at (310) 603-0088. Booking for fall 2012/spring 2013
is open. Students will have an opportunity to take a tour, dress up in 1800s
costume, make bricks, learn to make tallow candles, and more. There is a
beautiful covered picnic area where children can enjoy their lunch and free
play time. We hope to see many more children at the Rancho!
Volunteer Teams
Support the Dominguez Rancho Adobe Museum by joining our volunteer
family. We have volunteer opportunities for all ages in a variety of fields:
• Docent Program
• Curatorial & Conservation Division
• Education, Programming, and Special Events Division
• Communication, Marketing, Advertising, and Graphic Design Division
• Office Assistance Costume Activity on Tours
Each of the five different areas offers wonderful opportunities to learn
about the Rancho, share history with the public, and interact with a
fantastic volunteer group. Volunteer hours are available Tuesday through
Saturday. There is a volunteer opportunity for every schedule and interest.
All volunteer positions include training and supervision by museum staff.
In addition, volunteers receive:
• 10% Discount in the Museum Gift Shop
• 10% Discount to events
• Volunteer Summer BBQ and Winter End of Year Party
• Quarterly Volunteer Newsletter
• Access to the Volunteer Section on the Museum’s Facebook page
• Rewards based on number of hours volunteered
• And more
This summer is a great time to get involved so give us a call at (310)
603-0088 or check out our website at dominguezrancho.org to get started
today! Volunteers working in the Carson Room

4. 3M Helps the Rancho
One of the Museum’s priorities is protecting its collection of artifacts. The Museum has taken many
steps to monitor the temperature and humidity in each of its rooms, as well as protect the artifacts
from damaging light.
One damaging type of light is ultraviolet (UV) light which contributes to the fading and damage
of artwork if left unchecked. The Museum did extensive research into what would help protect the
artifacts from this type of light and concluded that the best method was to install UV filter film on the
windows which, while letting in visible light, would block UV light. The research also found that 3M
has one of the best products on the market.
3M came to the Rancho, measured the windows, and gave their cost to cover the windows in most
of the rooms. The Friends of Rancho San Pedro then approached 3M and talked with them about an
in-kind donation to install the film. Through a series of phone calls 3M generously offered an in-kind
donation of the material which substantially lowered the cost of the project, enabling the Museum to
install the film.
While the film is invisible to the naked eye, the amount of UV light entering the rooms decreases
substantially, up to 98%, which in return protects the collection from fading.With the addition of
this film the Museum has been able to rotate more of the textiles, offering the public a chance to see
more of the collection. Plans for a 1800s dress exhibit are in the works to be on display in the Ladies’
Parlor. It is because of 3M’s relationship with the Museum, and their generous donation, that this is
possible.
The Museum and the Friends of Rancho San Pedro thank 3M for their in-kind donation and welcome
donations of many types. If you are interested in making a donation to the Museum, please call at
(310) 603-0088 for more information.
Why Be a Museum Member?
There is an easy answer to that question. Your membership helps preserve this historical, beautiful, and
unique landmark. Moreover, you also support tours for thousands of school children, and presentation
of programs and exhibitions for all ages. And if that isn’t enough, you receive the following benefits:
• Unlimited admission to the Museum
• Free Members-only events
• Free Pass to speaker series
• Discounts at the Museum Gift Shop
• Special invitations to spectacular programs
• Discounted tickets to Museum activities and functions
• A special gift!
At the Museum you can explore more than 200 years of history. Wander through the galleries and learn
about the art and artifacts that represent early California life and the history of the Dominguez family.
When you are ready to relax, take a breath and stroll through the Rancho estate. The 17-acre oasis was
part of the “Rancho San Pedro” which historian Judson Grenier calls “the font of everything” in the
area.
Help preserve this 228 year old California State landmark (#152) today! It’s easy to join: call, fax, mail,
or visit the Museum today. Thank you for your membership.

5. Museum Gift Shop in the Museum AND Online
We have many beautiful and unique items in our gift shop, located next to the Early
Bird and Aviation rooms in the Museum. There are items for children and adults, and we
feature many custom items. The jewelry is custom-made for the gift shop and cannot be
found anywhere else! The beautiful wood pieces featured in the gift shop are made by
one of our own very talented volunteers Frank Bennett and the Dominguez coloring book
was designed, drawn, and written by two other very talented volunteers Kathleen Rabago
and Joanie Harmon. The holiday note cards were created by volunteer Daniel V. Chavez
and later this summer we will be featuring his photography note card set.
In addition to our custom items, we have coloring books, gifts, puzzles, balsa planes,
mugs, and 4, yes 4 different types of shirts all featuring our Adobe pride. Music and CDs
by Camino Rio, performing this August, can also be purchased in the shop.
There are so many great items to purchase and if you cannot make it to the shop, we are
online!
Check out the museum gift shop at www.dominguezrancho.org.
The Museum Gift Shop

6. Friends of Rancho San Pedro Open to the public
Board of Directors with docent-led tours:
Mr. William Barger
Mr. Tom Huston Saturday of each month
Brother Rene Lepage every Wednesday and Sunday
Mr. Manny Marrero
Mr. John F. Watkins All tours are held at
18127 South Alameda Street Ms. Jean Willard
1:00 p.m., 2:00 p.m. & 3:00 p.m.
Rancho Dominguez, CA 90220
Mr. Tom Van Woerkum
(310) 603-0088 • fax (310) 603-0009 Admission is free.
information@DominguezRancho.org California Historic Landmark No. 152
www.DominguezRancho.org National Register of Historical Landmark
NONPROFIT ORG
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
LOS ANGELES, CA
PERMIT # 2016
Summer Docent Training
July 21st 9am to 12pm
Ice Cream Social
August 12th, 12pm to 3pm
Concert in the Park
August 26th, 5pm to 7pm
Fall Docent Evening training
September 5th 5pm to 7pm
Grandparents Day
September 8th 10am to 4pm
Classic Sewing Machine Workshop
September 8th 10:30am to 4:30pm
(310) 603-0088
www.DominguezRancho.org