Months after Eaton Fire tore apart the Collectible Museum, known as the Funky Junk Farm in West Altadena, Johnny Agnew is still optimistic.
“There are many of us in the same situation,” Agnew told NBC4.
The flames destroy lifelong collections from past times. And although his five-year folk art collection rose in smoke, the property itself, which housed four permitted structures, was insured.
NBC4 first connected with Agnew on the third weekend after the fire when the collector returned to Altadena’s home for the first time. Upon his return, Agnew watched beyond the burnt-out cabin and vintage car and trailer shells.
He was still trying to see what would be saved.
“It’s a 1938 horse trailer. Look at that side,” Agnew marveled, “We just need new tires and we’re ready for rock and roll.”
The horse trailer features a picture of Agnew’s face and a rendering of a dog who has been his trusted companion for many years.
“A lot of history here,” Agnew said as he walked over the rooftop rub.
But even on the late warning, chaos, and the day he returned to see the wreckage for the first time, Agnew made an astonishing discovery.
“I was worried that it would have disappeared before.
Agnew is joined by his 30-year best friend Steve Butcher. They took lots of photos with a smile.
“You just have to put the light fixture on this. Put the light bulb in. It creates a nice light,” Butcher said as he sifted through the fire relic.
For decades, the pair have been restoring vintage collectibles, working for the film studio Teamster Union and renting rare pieces to set up decorators. But beyond the film industry, there is a philosophy in work.
“It’s a chapter that’s gone, but a new chapter begins,” Butcher said, “It’s just a beginning.”
“Thank you brother. Well I said that,” replied Agnew, “We’re not dead yet.”
The creative campsite vignettes lined up on the property are no longer available. A uniquely renovated camper trailer has been incinerated. But what about the 1938 horse trailer, which still has Johnny’s face and pets from past times?
“The bulbs there have been melting. The filaments are still there. I want to run the wires to see if it works.”
Like many other artefacts of the era that have passed here, it is one of many who are being retrieved for that next chapter.
“What keeps me going now is the fact that everything is controlled by businesses and made in other countries, and it’s cheap labor,” Agnew said. “And this is everything that was made in this country, and this has made our country amazing to me.
“You know, we go back to the day when we can actually manufacture things here, and the average person can work and raise a family. All of this represents the best in our country.
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