Welcome to the Temecula Valley Historical Society!

The Temecula Valley Historical Society's August Program

At the Little Temecula History Museum on September 22 at 6:00 p.m.

Rob Crisell will give a presentation at the Little Temecula History Museum titled "Avocado Land: A History of California’s Avocado Industry ." His most recent book, California Avocados: A Delicious History (History Press: 2024) is the first and only book on the 175-year history of the avocado in California. It is based on extensive research and interviews with more than thirty growers, distributors, aficionados, and academics throughout California. Intrepid settlers in California were among the first to embrace the avocado when it first arrived from Mexico in the mid-1800s. The century-long love affair with the avocado transformed the state into “Avocado Land,” resulting in the fruit’s cultivation around the world. Crisell's talk explores how California’s favorite fruit became one of the most famous and iconic foods of the twenty-first century. Participants will be invited to taste different avocado varietals and his book will be available for purchase. 

After a career in publishing, law, and commercial real estate, Rob is now a writer, actor, speaker, teacher, and winemaker located in Temecula Valley wine country. In addition to writing dozens of articles for Sunset, Highlights for Children, Outside, and other magazines and newspapers, Rob has written five books and 1 play for adults and children, including The Zoo of Impossible Animals (2016), Shakespeare’s Book of Wisdom (2018), Temecula Valley Wineries (2023), Sophocles’ Electra: A New Version (2023), and California Avocados: A Delicious History (2024). Since 2012, he has acted with Shakespeare in the Vines, performing in The Merchant of Venice, Romeo and Juliet, Hamlet, The Tempest, Macbeth, Othello, and many others. His 2016 TED Talk about his experiences teaching the Bard to young people is called “How NOT to Hate Shakespeare.” He has made seven vintages, including Sangiovese, Syrah, Zinfandel, Pinot Noir, and red blends. He has served on the boards of the Boys and Girls Club of Southwest County, Rancho Springs Hospital, St. Teresa of Calcutta Catholic Church, and Shakespeare in the Vines. He is the current president of the board of Hospice of the Valleys. He is a graduate of Yale University and George Mason School of Law. Rob and his wife Monisha—a local physician—are long-time residents of Temecula. They have two children: Soren (24, musician) and Miranda (20, college student). 

Rob Crisell