It opened in 1911 and is named after Henry T. Oxnard, one of the four brothers who built the sugar beet factory, from which the pioneer town grew. From its beginning, it was a diverse neighborhood of wealthy businessmen and blue-collar workers, of bankers and bakers, many of whose descendants still live in Oxnard. The houses vary in size from 1,000 to 5,000 square feet, and in design, from late Victorian to Tudor revival and Prairie and Craftsman bungalow style. Each Fall, the city sponsors an Annual Autumn Home Tour where visitors can stroll through the Henry T. Oxnard Historic District and take a walk back in time by touring the interiors of some of the historic homes. Serving the fine arts needs of Northern Ventura County, the museum has been offering a full Museum Education Program with the support of Mervyn's since 1988.
Major exhibits change quarterly and range from traditional to contemporary art from many cultures.
The monthly Masters in our Midst Series shows works by county artists. Over 5,000 students each year participate in Tours with Hands-On Art Workshops, a main focus of the Program. The Seabee Museum is located at the U.S. Naval Construction Battalion Center in Port Hueneme, California. The Center provides training, administrative and logistic support for Seabees throughout the world. The Museum features cultural artifacts from around the globe, as well as an extensive collection of World War II, Korean War, and Vietnam War uniforms and weapons.