Adventures of Ramona High 1917 graduate is topic of museum talk

Historian, anthropologist and archaeologist Dr. Arthur A. Woodward will be the subject of a talk his nephew, Kenneth Woodward, will present at the June 16 potluck dinner meeting of the Ramona Pioneer Historical Society.

The program will begin at 6:30 p.m. in the Barnett Barn on the grounds of the Guy B. Woodward Museum at 645 Main St. in Ramona.

Arthur Woodward graduated from Ramona High School in 1917 and matriculated to the University of California, Berkeley. He was curator of the Heye Museum of Native American Indians in New York City, and, moving West, he was head curator of the Los Angeles County Museum of Natural History.

His talents led him on several unique adventures. He led an archaeological excavation of the ancient Hokokam Indian site in Casa Grande, Ariz. He led a team that began the archaeological survey and excavation of Southern California’s Channel Islands, where Indians had lived for the past 9,000 years.

Woodward opened the first office on the West Coast for the Office of Strategic Service (OSS). He later became an investigator for the Office of Naval Intelligence.

He joined famed polar explorer Admiral Richard E. Byrd on a secret presidential mission to the South Pacific Islands to seek out possible airfields during World War II, and then he helped the National Parks Service with a special survey of Alaska.

He wrote and edited 14 historical books and over 250 professional articles.

Museum members and guests are welcome at the meeting. Those attending are asked to bring a main dish, salad or dessert for eight.

For membership information, contact the museum at 760-789-7644.