Browse Exhibits (1 total)

This exhibit examines the differences between perception and reality in migrating to California in the 1930's. After the Dust Bowl travesty in Oklahoma, many families were forced to migrate, mostly to California, in order to find farming jobs and opportunities. California was percieived to be some sort of "glory hole" where jobs and farm land were plentiful, though this was a misconception. The road to California was brutal and once the families made it to California, they found that the jobs were scarce there as well. This is the same premise as Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck. The Joads were a large family who lost their farm land to cotton growing companies because of the Dust Bowl drought. Each family member had their own image in their mind as to what California was going to be like. Ma envisioned a house with a picket fence, Grandpa wanted to see and feel and winery grapes, and Tom was more realistic in his expectations because of his time in prison. The family's perception and roles change when they eventually arrive in California. In my research, I found billboards to be the most influential aspect to making the misconception of California.