Member Only Field Trip to Manzanar

This is a MEMBER ONLY FIELD TRIP!

If you are interested in going on this field trip and you are not a current member of the Maturango
Museum, you will need to become a member prior to signing up for the field trip. Go to
maturango.org/become-a-member-2/ This is a Maturango Museum Member-Only Event so there is no
fee for this field trip, however, donations are appreciated.
Manzanar was one of 10 War Relocation Centers where the US Government incarcerated Japanese
American citizens and Japanese immigrants who were ineligible for citizenship during World War II. Most
of the internees were from the Los Angeles area, Terminal Island, and the San Fernando Valley. Others
came from the San Joaquin Valley and Bainbridge Island Washington; the latter transferred to Minidoka in
1943.
We will be visiting the Visitor’s Center, Block 14, and then take the Auto Tour, stopping along the way to
visit the various exhibits including Merritt Park and the Cemetery & Monument. What makes this trip
unique is that I have arranged for a 30-minute Q&A with one of the Rangers during our time at Manzanar.
Note: Parking can be limited on the Auto Tour so at the Manzanar site carpooling is encouraged.

Our journey will start at the Maturango Museum and arrange carpools (if people want to carpool) and
ultimately head north on 395 to the Owens Valley trying to stay together as much as possible without
annoying others on the road. We’ll stop at the Interagency Center just before Lone Pine to use the facilities
and look around a bit (about 30 minutes). The Interagency Center has a lot of information and if you feel
that you need more time to peruse, I encourage you to do that after we’ve completed our Manzanar visit.
The Interagency Center closes at 4:30pm, gates close at 4:15pm.
From the Interagency Center we’ll again head north on 395 to Manzanar. It is about 16 miles. We’ll park
at the Visitor’s Center. There are many different things to see while at Manzanar and I’m expecting us to
be at the site for 3-4 hours, including lunch and the Q&A Session.

Please note from the NPS Website: Visitor amenities are limited at Manzanar. Visitors must bring their
own drinking water, carry out their own trash, and are recommended to bring personal
handwashing/sanitizing supplies.
Saturday May 1, 7:30am, meet at the Museum for check in. Participants will be required to sign a liability
waiver. Car caravan will be organized and for those that want to carpool, we’ll figure it out there.
Sign up at www.maturango.org (check website) or come to the Maturango Museum Store.
Be sure you have enough gas (approximately 200 miles round trip), car and tires in good running order.
Usual dress code for field trips applies: hat, sunscreen, comfortable walking shoes, layered clothing,
water, camera. It is better to have these items and not need them, than need them and not have them.
We will be walking on uneven ground to get to outdoor exhibits and gardens. Parking area also may
have uneven ground.
Families are encouraged. No pets. Bring a picnic lunch to eat while we are at Manzanar. Water, snacks,
lunch, etc. No alcohol.