Travelers passing through John Wayne Airport might stumble upon a little slice of Californian nostalgia displayed between Terminals B and C. A new exhibit, presented by Chapman University, honors the late Huell Howser, a man who passionately dedicated his life to uncovering the state's treasures with a charmingly earnest exclamation: "That’s amazing!"
Howser's legacy lives on through the exhibit which, keeps the flame of his iconic television series "California's Gold" alive. Running from February 2, 2024, to May 1, 2024, the presentation is more than just a display — it’s a journey through Howser’s adventures complete with personal items, and the collection from the show that made him a household name in the Golden State. The airport has extended a special thanks to PBS SoCal and the Chapman University Library, for their helping hands in making it all happen.
For those unfamiliar, Huell Howser was the folksy, Tennessee-born host who, until his retirement in 2012, took Californians on a televised roadmap of their own state’s historical points of interest. Howser's partnership with PBS in 1991 brought California's history to life in homes across the state, and he became an endearing figure in documenting the stories that often went untold.
As per the official airport announcement, this has been a synergistic collaboration, to say the least. Chapman University's Leatherby Libraries, houses the Huell Howser Archives, now celebrating a decade since its establishment in 2024. Those interested in diving deeper can learn more about Howser and his work at the Chapman Collection online.
The walkway gallery where the exhibit lives, is free to all, not just ticketed passengers. So if you’re in the area and find yourself curious about the man who could find the amazing in the seemingly mundane, stop by pre-security on the upper Departure Level. And for those flying out, it might just be the perfect send-off to start your own California adventure with a dose of Howser's evergreen spirit. For further details on the airport’s arts program, curious folks can head over to their website. Meanwhile, Huell Howser’s voice continues to echo, "Isn’t that something?" indeed.
