Museum Of Redlands To Open Its Doors To The Public On Oct. 24

REDLANDS, CA — After more than a quarter-century of planning and development, the Museum of Redlands will finally be open to the public next month, showcasing a vibrant tapestry of history that has made Redlands the "jewel of the Inland Empire."

On Saturday, Oct. 24, the long-awaited museum will opens its doors at site of the former Redlands Daily Facts newspaper building at 1 N. Center Street after a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 10 a.m.

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The project was a collaboration between the Redlands Historical Museum Association and the City of Redlands, by way of the A.K. Smiley Public Library, the city said in a press release.

"The Library was thought to be the ideal partner," said Library Director Don McCue, "as it has administered the City's Lincoln Memorial Shrine museum since 1932 and has long maintained a collection of historical material in its Special Collections Division. We're thrilled that we have been able to partner with RHMA and bring this asset to our community."

After considering multiple locations throughout the city, in 2014 the Redlands Daily Facts building was selected as the home of the Museum of Redlands, thanks to a donation from philanthropist Clara Mae Clem, which helped purchase the former Redlands Daily Facts building.

The architectural firm of Steve Johnson and Jim Favaro was chosen to redesign the building into a state-of-the-art museum.

"Redlands people have a fierce sense of civic pride, and this museum is a testament to that," Charlotte Burgess, president of the Redlands Historical Museum Association said in a press release. "Eighty percent of the building has been funded independently, from small dollars to large dollars, by people who believe what we put into a community builds quality. This is our time and our legacy and just like those who came before us, we have given the City another great gift."

The Redlands Historical Museum Association led a fundraising campaign which eventually raised $28 million from donors. Ground was broken in 2021, and the building was constructed in phases. In 2025, after construction was complete, the Redlands Historical Museum Association gifted the property to the city, to be administered by the library, the city said.

The library's curatorial team has been led by Dr. Nathan Gonzales and Dr. Maria Carrillo Colato, who have designed and installed a series of 13 initial exhibits, featuring artifacts, artwork and interactive displays, the city said.

The Museum of Redlands will be open Wednesdays through Sundays from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m.

For more information about the Museum of Redlands, visit themor.org.