San Bernadino County History

San Bernardino County Museum open for Labor Day

By Kristina Hernandez

Staff Writer

REDLANDS - Parents looking for family-friendly activities close to home this Labor Day holiday are in luck.

Usually closed on Mondays, the San Bernardino County Museum will be open for patrons to explore their various indoor and outdoor exhibits.

"On holiday Mondays we would find people lining up at the door because (families) didn't want to travel a long distance on holidays. They wanted to have fun close by," explained Jennifer Reynolds, a media specialist for the museum. "So we went to the board of supervisors and they allowed us to be open to the public on five holidays a year."

Those holidays are Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Presidents Day, Memorial Day, Labor Day and Columbus Day.

According to the museum, patrons may tour three floors of exhibits on cultural and natural history, exhibits on mining, lumbering and railroad history and view its special exhibit, "Turn Turn Turn: Social Movements 1965-75" on display through Nov. 5.

Many of the museum's exhibits are currently under renovation, including its "Live in the Air" water and landbird exhibit, but will be open during museum hours.

Visitors may also peek into the museum's new Hall of Geological Wonders.

"Museums are a good family experience. We love to see families come to (us) because you'll sometimes see three generations together standing in front of an exhibit. Grandparents are reminiscing, parents are explaining and children are interpreting. It's fun to see families talk about a subject that's meaningful," Reynolds said. "And you won't have to spend a lot on gasoline to have fun, and we're air conditioned. That's a nice combination.

The museum is at 2024 Orange Tree Lane and will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday.

Admission is $8 for adults, $6 for seniors and military personnel, $5 for students and $5 for children 5 to 12. Children under 5 and Museum Association members will be admitted free of charge.

History curator to present program at Victor Valley Museum

By Staff Reports

(Victor Valley)–San Bernardino County Museum Curator of History Michele Nielsen will give a special talk, “In the Palm of Your Hand,” at the Victor Valley Museum on Friday, September 16 at 1:00 p.m. The talk is free with paid museum admission.

“We will look at diminutive artifacts from the museum collections,” said Nielsen, “and see how small, seemingly inconsequential objects can have great meaning and tell us about the past.” Guests attending the talk are invited to bring along photographs of a tiny object of their own to share in an open forum–question-and-answer period. Guests should not bring actual artifacts to the museum.

The Victor Valley Museum is at 11873 Apple Valley Road in Apple Valley. Admission is $5 (adult), $4 (senior or military), and $2.50 (student). Children under 5 and San Bernardino County Museum Association members are free. Parking is free. For more information, visit www.sbcountymuseum.org.

The museum is accessible to persons with disabilities. If assistive listening devices or other auxiliary aids are needed in order to participate in museum exhibits or programs, requests should be made through Museum Visitor Services at least three business days prior to your visit. Visitor Services’ telephone number is 909-307-2669 ext. 229 or (TDD) 909-792-1462.

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