Community Museum Lost In Devastating Nov 6 Mountain Fire
The Californer/10297309

CAMARILLO, Calif. - Californer -- The Aslan Museum (TAM) received its 501c3 charity status on September 26, 2024, and was set to open to the public in January 2025. It was also home to the Aslan family. The structure and all its contents were completely destroyed by the recent Mountain Fire in Ventura County, California, on November 6, 2024.

The building was a replica of the Hearst Castle ranch house. After 10 years of construction and their art and other belongings in storage, the Aslan family finished building in 2018. The Aslan's then expanded their collection, and began hosting events for the community, everything from children's art programs and meetings to fundraising events for the community.

TAM was not only a home but a private museum with over 500 objects, including an eclectic collection of furniture, sculptures, paintings, and artifacts ranging from 7,000-year-old antiquities to post-modern art, and a space for holding events and gatherings for the community. The collection also contained family history spanning generations across the globe. A family history that survived wars and multiple earthquakes.

More on The Californer

• Old Righteous Blues A Compelling South African Tale
• Building California: Revamped Build.ca.gov highlights billions in infrastructure investments in every California community
• L.A. County Board of Supervisors Recognizes Amapola Market for Outstanding Community Philanthropy
• Pivotal Delta Conveyance Project hits major milestone, now has support of water agencies serving majority of Californians
• California: More water, more jobs: Governor Newsom visits historic farm in Colusa to highlight efforts to build water infrastructure, faster and create jobs

The loss of this significant cultural landmark has caused more than overwhelming devastation not only for one family but the whole community.

The family is asking those who can consider a tax-deductible donation via GoFundMe to allow future generations to experience its uniqueness. The funds will be used to rebuild the museum as intended for the community.

About The Aslan Museum (TAM)

The Aslan Museum (TAM) was a museum housed on an organic farm in Ventura County, nestled along the beautiful Central Coast of California. TAM (EIN # 99-504-3123) comprised more than 11,000 square feet of gallery space with over 500 works of art on display. "This is better than the Louvre!" some visitors would exclaim, and others were literally brought to tears, so touched by the collection at the picturesque Solano Verde Somis location. The architecture of TAM was a California Mission Revival style and was originally built as a replica of the ranch house at Hearst Castle, also located on the Central Coast. Inside TAM, you would see Spanish and Chinese furniture and art reflective of early California history and life on a hacienda. Many forms of art were represented in TAM's eclectic collection that would transport you through time and across continents.