Museum of Riverside

A documentary about the Harada family's story is in the works! Holden Films, based in Palm Springs, has begun the process of examining the Harada Family Archives, capturing B-roll of the house in its current condition, and interviewing people who are key to this complex story. Holden Films's multi-year schedule of work will parallel the construction work on the site itself. They'll be on the spot to record the sometimes difficult stages of preserving this fragile structure. The Museum aims to have the documentary debut when the house opens to the public.

A legacy written in ink. This specimen, housed at the Entomology Research Museum at UC Riverside, was collected by Riverside’s Butterfly Man, Charles M. Dammers. Dammers was an orange grove owner turned prolific natural historian who documented the life histories of Riverside’s butterflies and other insects based out of his home on the corner of Victoria Avenue and Mary Street. His work was seminal in describing butterfly biology, and he has had 14 species or subspecies named in his honor. Learn more about this enigmatic entomologist at our exhibition “A Victorian Naturalist: Riverside’s Butterfly Man” running now through June 28th at Heritage House.

Heritage House
8193 Magnolia Avenue, Riverside, CA 92504

Open for tours 12-4 p.m. Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays through June 28th. All tours of Heritage House include access to this exhibition. Book your tours through the link in our bio or here: https://linktr.ee/MuseumofRiverside

During a recent walk through our main downtown site's construction progress, we practiced looking up!

Images: Ceiling in historic lobby, ceiling in first floor former gallery spaces, up through the old elevator shaft from basement, up the spiral staircase from first floor, attic from second floor, historic skylight with the sun peeking through.

The future of the historic Trujillo Adobe is taking shape, and the community is invited to help guide the vision.

Join representatives from Riverside County Parks, the Spanish Town Heritage Foundation, the Museum of Riverside, and the project team for a public workshop focused on the future restoration and interpretation of this important historic site.

Participants will have the opportunity to share ideas and feedback on potential design elements, including landscaping, color palettes, interpretive features, visitor experiences, educational opportunities, and how the site can best reflect the rich history of La Placita de Los Trujillos.

We hope you can be there!
Saturday, June 6 from 10am-1pm at the Springbrook Clubhouse: 1011 Orange Street Riverside, CA 92501

Join the Museum of Riverside at the Riverside-Corona Resource Conservation District’s LandUse Learning Center for a night of bug exploration! Tour the grounds looking for insects, have your questions answered by a biologist, and see what critters come into the black light sheets. Come on out for this free and family-friendly night in nature! This event takes place on Saturday, June 13 from 7-9 p.m. RCRCD is located at 4500 Glenwood Drive, Riverside CA 92501

Show your PRIDE this Artswalk with us! The Museum of Riverside will be at Artswalk making wearable flags and buttons with attendees! Join us for this free activity on Thursday, June 4, 2026, 6-9 p.m. on the corner of Main Street and University Avenue at the Museum’s booth.

A b**gstart by any other name would still function the same way! This object is known by a few names: b**gstart, b**g flogger, b**g hammer, and others. It is called this because it was used to “startle” the b**g (a type of stopper) when it was struck against the nearest plank of a wooden barrel. Its unusual shape allowed it to loosen the stopper without damaging the barrel, allowing the contents to be inspected. The one pictured here was made by the donor’s great-grandfather in Chicago, Illinois, in the 1840s. National Wine Day was celebrated earlier this week, so inspect these bonus photos of a b**g stopper and flogger in action!

Bungstart photo courtesy Museum of Riverside collections

The Trujillos at La Placita were the first non-native settlement in Riverside, so they not only mark a significant milestone in our city’s history, but in the history we share and the stories we tell through our exhibitions and programs. The items we hold in trust for everyone that relate to the Trujillos are an extremely important aspect of our Museum’s collections. They help tell of the beginnings of our city before it was formally founded in 1870.

Take part in the Trujillo Adobe Heritage Village Project community workshop on June 6, 2026!

At this workshop, you’ll have the opportunity to:
• Learn about the history of the Trujillo Adobe
• Review early ideas and concepts for the site
• Share your input to help inform the project as we work with the Trujillo family to shape the future of the site!
📅Saturday, June 6, 2026
🕒10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
📍Springbrook Clubhouse, 1011 Orange St., Riverside, CA, 92501

We hope you can attend!

Acompáñenos al Taller Comunitario del Proyecto Trujillo Adobe Heritage Village el sábado, 6 de junio de 2026.
En este taller, tendrá la oportunidad de:
• Conocer la historia del Trujillo Adobe
• Revisar ideas y conceptos iniciales para el sitio
• Compartir sus comentarios para ayudar informar el futuro del sitio
📅 Sábado, 6 de junio de 2026
🕒 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
📍 Springbrook Clubhouse, 1011 Orange St., Riverside, CA 92501

Esperamos contar con su participación.


Photo 1: The Trujillo Adobe, 3-year-old Olive, brother Ted, and mother
Photo 2: Trujillo School children with teacher, 1909
Photo 3: Alonzo Romo and Apolonia Trujillo Romo with attendants
Images from the Museum of Riverside archives

What do piñatas have to do with public health? Find out at our next Nights with the Museum! Miguel A. Vasquez from the Riverside University Health System - Public Health will discuss his work with art-based public health education and its impacts on local communities. Come see some of the piñatas from the project and learn more about public health efforts across the region. Blue Zones will be on site to share a mango sorbet recipe and samples you won't want to miss!

This event takes place on Thursday, May 28, from 6-7:30 p.m. at the Riverside Main Library’s 3rd floor Reading Room (note the change to a different room in the Main Library this time). This event is free, recommended for ages 16+. 3900 Mission Inn Avenue, Riverside, CA.

City of Riverside, CA - Riverside Public Library

We had flavors to savor! 🍦This past Sunday (sundae?) was the sweetest as we once again celebrated our traditional Old-Fashioned Ice Cream Social at Heritage House. Families and friends gathered to celebrate America’s 250th birthday with our scoop squad handing out endless bowls of delish dessert courtesy of sweet sponsor Thrifty Ice Cream. With all the games, live music, crafts, and sticky fingers, this was one for the books!

City of Riverside, CA - City Government Visit Riverside