Work on the exterior of the Museum of Redlands is about 80% complete, according to the Redlands Historical Museum Association.
The association is trying to raise the final $4 million needed to complete the work before the museum will be ready for the public’s viewing in fall 2023.
Located in the former Redlands Daily Facts building at 700 E. Brookside Ave., the museum features an additional building that will be used as a pavilion for special events. Work on the $20 million project began in 2021.
In the push to finish fundraising for the project, the association is selling bricks to be used in the construction of the museum that can be purchased for $2,500 each and feature a person’s engraved name.
Johnson Favaro, an architectural firm based in Culver City, designed the museum and the layout. Contractors are Tilden and Coil in Riverside.
Steve Stockton, president of the museum association, said the city will own the building and the A.K. Smiley Public Library will oversee operations. An elevator will be installed for volunteer-use only and an HVAC system will be installed to ensure proper climate control for historic papers and memorabilia.
Stockton said the interior will feature two galleries — one North and one South. Along with permanent and traveling exhibits, there will be a front gallery that will be illuminated at night for those driving or walking past the museum.
The interior of the former Facts office is dark until the exterior is done. What was the front part of the office, with the entrance on Brookside, will be the South Gallery.
The North Gallery will be in the back of the building.
The new building — the pavilion — opens to what will be a turf area that will be rented for weddings, quinceañeras and other events.
Parking will be off the Center Street entrance and will be built with permeable bricks, said Stockton.Three oak trees grown by contractor Larry Jacinto are now planted in the parking lot. The trees were grown from acorns from oak trees at the University of Redlands.
On a recent informal tour of the building, Stockton pointed out water fountains where guests can replenish their water bottles. The events pavilion will have a warming area inside for caterers when they bring their hot dishes.
According to Smiley library director Don McCue, hours of operation at the museum have yet to be finalized. Presently, it could be open four hours a day, six days a week.
Memorabilia and historical documents will not be placed in the museum, most likely, until the HVAC system is installed, McCue said.
Redlands history is vast and will include the story of ESRI, he said. There are Redlands citrus labels and packing house memorabilia. The museum also wants to reflect the northside of the community, he said.
Nelda Stuck, a former arts editor for the Facts, first approached Liz Beguelin, a past president of the Redlands Area Historical Society, in 1998 about building a museum in Redlands.
Stuck said it has taken more than 20 years for the museum to grow to fruition, but the work has been worth it.
“We feel that this is an iconic building for Redlands,” she said.
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September 24, 2022 at 05:06AM
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Museum of Redlands exterior is 80% complete - Redlands Daily Facts
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