Huell Howser Lives On at Chapman University

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Many of you knew and loved TV personality Huell Howser. For those of you not familiar with this iconic legend, Howser was also an actor, voice artist, and comedian. He is most famous for his travel TV show California’s Gold during which he enlightened the general public by featuring unknown small towns, landmarks, and other places of interest throughout California.

Now, Chapman University has given us the opportunity to once again revel in Howser’s accomplishments with their FREE permanent exhibit, “That’s Amazing! Thirty Years of Huell Howser and California’s Gold,” sponsored by the Automobile Club of Southern California and situated in Chapman’s Leatherby Libraries. There will be an open house event launching this new exhibit on Saturday, March 29th (that’s this Saturday people!) from 9 am – 5 pm and is FREE to the public. After the event, the exhibit will remain open, and FREE, to the public weekly Tuesdays-Saturdays from 9 am – 5 pm.

Visitors will enjoy personal appearances by Lint Lady artist Slater Barron, Soup Kitchen Lady artisan soup maker Dali Yu, Whistling Diva Carole Anne Kaufman, ad representatives from Leonis Adobe Museum, Rinaudo’s Reproductions and others. Food vendors including Stan’s Donuts, Survival Foods, and Fosselman’s Ice Cream, all featured on Howser’s show, will be available. A NASCAR Spirit Cup car and new “California’s Gold Guide Map”, showing locations of stops Howser made during his some 900 episodes of California’s Gold, will be showcased as well, presented by the Auto Club. Free tours of the exhibit will be available as well.

This event will also signify the world premiere of a new documentary film, also sponsored by the Auto Club and created by Chapman film professor Jeff Swimmer, called “A Golden State of Mind: The Storytelling Genius of Huell Howser.” The film will be shown during the event a total of four times – 10 am, 12 pm, 2 pm, and 4 pm – in Chapman’s Waltmar Theater. Tickets to see the film are priced as follows: $12 online in advance, $15 at the door, $10 for Auto Club members and can be purchased HERE.

During the last few years of his life, Howser grew increasingly passionate about Chapman University and its values. Because of this newfound bond, Howser donated much of his personal art collection, show memorabilia, notes and papers of his work, and tapes of California’s Gold, California’s Mission, California’s Golden Parks, California’s Golden Fairs, and Road Trip. Now, the public can enjoy this late TV star’s work that he dedicated most of his life to right here in Old Towne Orange!

For details on parking for this event, visit HERE.

Last Updated on June 8, 2016 by