The Unlikely Docent: Robert Martinez's Journey to Preserving History

Robert Martinez never thought he'd find himself dressed up as a cowboy, spinning yarns about life on a cattle ranch to wide-eyed fourth-graders. But after a successful career in middle management, high tech, and even pest control, Martinez discovered his true calling: sharing the history of Rancho Los Cerritos with elementary school students.

It started when he retired from his corporate job and signed up for docent-training school at the historic site. His first tour in November was a revelation – watching those curious students soak up every detail about life on the ranch, Martinez knew he'd found something special.

"There's this connection with the fourth-graders," he said, "just watching how they respond when they learn something. So, I find it very worthwhile and rewarding to have them understand what life was like back then, and also carry it forward... and have respect for the environment."

The Rancho Los Cerritos historic site and museum is dedicated to preserving its 4.7 acres in Long Beach as a living history of native Californian culture. With a focus on local history, visitors can explore the property's gardens, outbuildings, and even the old ranch house, where volunteers like Martinez lead tours.

"Every aspect of it, teaching the kids, and then just interacting with my peers, is just amazing," Martinez said. "It's just an amazing experience."

For nearly five decades, Rancho Los Cerritos has welcomed fourth-grade students for field trips, fostering connections between children, history, and the land itself. These tours are made possible by volunteers like Martinez, who don costumes to bring the past to life.

Volunteer coordinator Laura Willbanks explained that each tour requires a team of five people – including docents like Martinez – to provide an immersive experience for students. "Many (fourth-graders) arrive here and you can tell they've never been to a beautiful outdoor space like this before," she said, "but it's incredible for them, and that's why I feel it's so important that the docents leading these trips see the impact on the children."

With school starting again, Rancho Los Cerritos is calling for volunteers to join their seven-week school docent training program. Docents will learn about the history of the site and develop a character to play within the Ranch period.

To sign up for docent training class, visit tinyurl.com/29wyxsfy. To learn more about Rancho Los Cerritos, visit their website at rancholoscerritos.org.

Martinez's story is a testament to the power of community-driven education and the importance of sharing history with the next generation. As he reflects on his experience, one thing is clear: Robert Martinez has found his true calling as a docent at Rancho Los Cerritos.