In the Curator’s Words is an occasional series that takes a critical look at current exhibitions through the eyes of curators.
The Pioneers’ Museum, about 120 miles east of San Diego in Imperial, has a simple mission.
“Pioneers’ Museum was created to preserve the vision and journey of those who saw that potential and worked to make our community what it is today,” the museum says on its website.
“From those who first brought the water that is our valley’s lifeline to the settlers who escaped the Dust Bowl and found refuge in our fields and towns to those who have served in our armed forces to preserve our way of life, we honor those men and women and hope that by telling their stories we can help residents, visitors and generations to come appreciate the accomplishments of those who came before us, avoid the mistakes of the past, and work to build a future that we can all be proud to be a part of.”
Building on that theme and mission, the museum next weekendwill open a new exhibition that tells the story of Imperial County through the eyes of the region’s press. The exhibition, “Pioneer News: Print, Press, Processing,” offers an expansive look at the region’s history using materials from local newspapers and a prominent local photographer.
The exhibit, on display through the end of May, was curated by volunteers Javon Penner-Smith and Alyssa Redfern, under the guidance of the museum’s director, Angela Herrera. Penner-Smith took some time to talk about the upcoming exhibition.
Through a new exhibit, “Pioneer News: Print, Press, Processing,” the Pioneers’ Museum is focusing on the early days of Imperial Valley. The exhibition opens to the public on Feb. 21, 2026. (Pioneers’ Museum)
Q: There’s no better way to tell the story of a community than sifting through archival records of your local newspaper. This exhibit showcases materials — newspaper articles, photographs and printed materials — from the Imperial Valley’s early days. How did this idea come about?
A: Our exhibit originates as an extension of the Pioneers’ Museum mission to “Make History Live!” Museum Director Angela Herrera first conceptualized the exhibit in late fall of 2025 to showcase the incredible printing presses currently hidden in the warehouse. Herrera is actively working to bring forward stories that have not yet been told within the current galleries. While many potential topics were considered and may yet become exhibits themselves in the near future, press and print emerged as an early favorite due to the unique nature of the pioneer-era objects in our collection. The museum is making great strides to illuminate these untold stories and bring our stored artifacts to light for public engagement.
Q: What was the most surprising thing you discovered about the valley’s early days when you were working on this exhibition?
A: Imperial County’s rapid development and turbulent industrial environment is a particular highlight, represented by the numerous print shops that were founded during the early decades and stressful development years. In these times, many talented editors and printers were attracted by the opportunities presented by the burgeoning valley area, creating a competitive and dynamic industry. Many printers and news businesses were created, usurped or exchanged hands frequently during the 1910s era. Another fun fact: Headlines did not exist as a standard until 1910.
Through a new exhibit, “Pioneer News: Print, Press, Processing,” the Pioneers’ Museum is focusing on the early days of Imperial Valley. The exhibition opens to the public on Feb. 21, 2026. (Pioneers’ Museum)
Q: This show features the work of photographer Leo Hetzel. Tell us more about him and his work documenting valley life through photography.
A: Victor Leopold “Leo” Hetzel was born in 1877 and showcased a keen interest in photography after being gifted a simple box camera when he was around 14 years old. Hetzel would spend much of his life after completing his secondary education in the Pacific Northwest, practicing his photography. Later, he would settle in Los Angeles, where he worked as a photographer at Hartsook Studios. However, in 1913, Hetzel would decide to move himself and his family down into Imperial County for inspiration. Setting up his photography shop in El Centro, Hetzel soon took the title of most prolific Imperial County photographer, setting out to capture everything he could about the nascent county’s development and industry. The phrase “anything in photography” is often attributed to Hetzel as a sort of motto representing his willingness to preserve just about every detail of daily life through his film. Social gatherings like schools or churches, promotional commissions for growing businesses, the development of vital projects like the All-American Canal and Hoover Dam, candid shots of workers and goers-by, desert landscapes, and much, much more. Hetzel’s contributions to the documentation and preservation of Imperial County history cannot be understated, acting as a valuable resource into understanding the truth of county infrastructure, development and industry. Approximately 5,000 of his photos are currently available online for personal or public use in the Pioneers’ Museum archives.
Q: What can the viewer expect to see from this exhibition?
A: Visitors can expect a wide variety of pioneer-era printing presses, objects and photos, spanning 1901 to 1940 through the lens of press and printing. The Pioneers’ Museum has curated a collection of authentic printing equipment donated by Imperial Printers, a long-standing Imperial County business. In addition, the museum collection includes various photos taken by Hetzel, documenting print shops, news articles and early Imperial County locations significant to the production and dissemination of both local and national news.
Q: In this day and age of fast-moving technology, what do you hope viewers will take away from looking back at how information and communication shaped Imperial Valley in the early days?
A: The Pioneers’ Museum, first and foremost, is dedicated to preserving and celebrating Imperial County history. This exhibit extends this goal towards one of the most vital and underappreciated aspects of civil living and development: the press. A key takeaway of the exhibit is the power of news and press in preservation, the methods through which the people of the past were able to document the daily life of Imperial County. Whether through the power of typography in revolutionizing the written word, or the persistent showcasing of county living through images and photos like that of Leo Hetzel, these methods of preserving and delivering news were vital to the growth of the Imperial County and remain as testament to the hardships and triumphs experienced along the way.
Through a new exhibit, “Pioneering News: Processing, Print, and Press,” the Pioneers’ Museum is focusing on the early days of Imperial Valley. The exhibition opens to the public on Feb. 21, 2026. (Pioneers’ Museum)
Pioneers’ Museum presents “Pioneer News: Print, Press, Processing”
When: Opens Saturday, dubbed Pioneer Day. On display through the end of May. Pioneer Day, a family-friendly free daylong event from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., will feature a variety of activities, including music, pony rides, live Wild West shootout acts and printing demonstrations.
Where: Pioneers’ Museum, 373 E. Aten Road, Imperial.
Admission: Free on Pioneer Day. $10 adults, $5 seniors 65 and up, $5 military, students and SNAP recipients, free children under 5.
Phone: 760-352-1165
Online: pioneersmuseum.net