Exhibit Dates: Thursday, September 7 to Sunday, December 31, 2017
Since 1894, Graber Olives have been enjoyed by locals and olive connoisseurs worldwide. Many Ontario residents are familiar with the early story of C.C. Graber and how his tasty barrels of cured olives began as a small neighborhood business. Today, the Graber Olive House is the oldest existing business in the City of Ontario, and is the oldest operating olive packer in the United States. The history of the Graber Olive House is over hundred years old with rich stories – many of which have never been told.
The Ontario Museum of History & Art has partnered with the Graber family and is honored to host a new unexplored narrative. The Women Beside the Men of the Graber Olive House uncovers the women who contributed to the family business as entrepreneurs and visionaries. For the first time, the Graber family is sharing personal artifacts from Betty Graber and other family matriarchs. Visitors will be drawn-in by photo albums, private journals, scrap books, and correspondence from these influential women.
The Women Beside the Men of the Graber Olive House is curated by author and etiquette expert, Maura J. Graber. Maura J. Graber is the wife of owner Cliff Graber, son of Bob and Betty Graber. Mrs. Graber continues the tradition by contributing to the family business in the spirit of the women before her.
“I had been researching Betty Graber's childhood, for my series of children's etiquette books, when I began looking into the Graber Olive Company history. Early on, I was finding interesting old news articles, filled with great information. Information my husband was unaware of, with regard to the Graber Olive House’s history and his own family history. As this became a project with the Museum, it turned into a personal labor of love for me. It gave me a new found admiration for all the women who’ve preceded me here, especially Betty Graber. She may not have arrived in a covered wagon, but she was a true pioneer in business.” ~Maura J. Graber
The Women Beside the Men of the Graber Olive House is on display September 7 through December 31, 2017 in the South Wing, Carlson Gallery at the Ontario Museum of History & Art. Come learn about the 125 years of contributions by the women of the Graber Olive House and how they helped shape its legacy.
In conjunction with the Women Beside the Men of the Graber Olive House Exhibit the Museum is hosting two events:
Highlights from the Collection: The Graber Olive House
Sunday, September 24, 2017 (2:00 PM to 3:30 PM)
Join Ontario Museum of History & Art’s Curator of Collections Michelle Sifuentes and Maura J. Graber to learn about the Graber Olive House, the oldest operating olive packer in the United States. Reservations Required. Free Admission. For more information or to make reservations, call (909) 395-2510.
Common Courtesy: A Look at Proper Etiquette from the Graber Olive House
Thursday, November 16, 2017 (4:00 PM to 5:30 PM)
Etiquette expert and author Maura J. Graber uncovers the fascination behind polite behavior and social customs with a special focus on the Victorian and Edwardian eras. Discover how society's customs changed throughout the 20th century with artifacts from the Graber Olive House. Reservations Required. Free Admission. For more information or to make reservations, call (909) 395-2510.
About the Ontario Museum of History & Art
The Ontario Museum of History & Art is located at 225 S. Euclid Avenue, Ontario, California 91762. Gallery hours are Noon to 4 PM, Thursday through Sunday. Admission is free. For more information call (909) 395 2510, email at museuminfo@ontarioca.gov, or visit www.ontarioca.gov/museum. The Ontario Museum of History & Art is a public-private museum operated by the City of Ontario with support from the non-profit Ontario Museum of History & Art, Associates.
About the City of Ontario
The City of Ontario is Building A Better Tomorrow with urban lifestyle districts that create sustainable places to live, work and play. Located just 35 miles east of downtown Los Angeles, the City of Ontario is ideally situated as Southern California’s gateway. With three major interstates, two railroads and the Ontario International Airport, Ontario offers direct access from Los Angeles to the rest of California, and to North America. With approximately 170,000 residents and residential development on the rise, Ontario looks to double its population in the next 20 years, making it one of the 100 most populated Cities in the nation. Complementing its business and residential core, Ontario dazzles with its amenities such as the Ontario Convention Center, Citizens Business Bank Arena, and the Ontario Mills Mall. To learn more about the City of Ontario, visit www.ontarioca.gov or call (909) 395-2000.
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City of Ontario Press Contact: John Andrews, Economic Development Director
Phone Number: (909) 395-2242