Docent Training Overview

Session Information

• When: Tuesday afternoons, 2:00 to 4:30 pm
• Who: Both live attendees and those watching recordings
• Contact: Megan McGuire, Director of Education
• Participants: Includes staff, docents, and new trainees

Agenda for Today's Session

1. Introduction to Rancho Los Cerritos - History
2. Rancho Strategic Plan - Overview by Allison Bruzohoff
3. Role and Experiences of Being a Docent
4. Overview of the Training Program
5. General History of Rancho post-break
6. Current Tour Structure and Practices

Rancho Los Cerritos: Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow

Historical Overview

• Location: On Tongva native land, known also as the Gabrielino
• Early History:
  • Spanish settlement by 1770s
  • Land granted to Manuel Nieto, Spanish soldier, by 1780s
  • Transition from cattle ranch to sheep ranch
• Ownership Timeline:
  • Sold to John Temple in 1840s
  • Later became part of Flint Bixby & Company
  • Transitioned to a historic house museum by 1955

Organizational History

• Managed by different departments over time:
  • Initially under the Department of Libraries
  • Moved to Parks, Recreation, and Marine in the 1980s
  • Became independent under the Rancho Los Cerritos Foundation in 2014
• Current Structure:
  • Large staff and volunteer base
  • Includes education, development, horticulture, and facilities teams

Rancho Strategic Plan

Strategic Planning

• Inception: 1999 Master Plan, updated with new strategic initiatives
• Goals: Sustainability, innovation, educational outreach
• Key Projects:
  • Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) initiatives
  • Water reclamation project
  • Upcoming exhibitions and community engagement

Vision and Mission

• Vision Statement: Create an inclusive and sustainable world through historical connections
• Mission Statement: Honor diverse perspectives and promote understanding

Upcoming Developments

• New temporary exhibit space and museum shop
• Expansion of diversity in volunteer ranks
• Significant grants supporting ongoing projects

Insights from Experienced Docents

Key Enjoyments

• Sharing history with the public
• Interaction with diverse groups of visitors
• Educating about local and regional history

Challenges and Opportunities

• Conveying the scale and impact of the Rancho's history
• Encouraging engagement through storytelling

Docent Training Structure

Training Components

• Class Attendance: Weekly sessions with mandatory and optional components
• Readings:
  • Docent Manual
  • "Adobe Days" by Sarah Bixby Smith
• Activities:
  • House and garden tours
  • Field trips to related historical sites
  • Observational and interpretive activities

Training Schedule

• Week 1: Introduction and complete historical overview
• Week 2-6: Detailed exploration of specific historical eras and interpretive skills
• Week 7-8: Practical application and checkout tours

Key Objectives

• Comprehensive understanding of Rancho Los Cerritos history
• Development of interpretive and storytelling skills
• Preparation for delivering informative and engaging tours