About Us
MORE ABOUT MOR
The Museum of Redlands (MOR) is the City of Redlands’ newest cultural institution dedicated to preserving and celebrating our shared history. Housed in the beautifully reimagined former Redlands Daily Facts building, the museum provides a permanent home for a century's worth of historical artifacts, art, photographs, and stories that shaped our community.
​
Inside, visitors can expect to step back in time through engaging exhibits that showcase the vibrant evolution of Redlands. You will find a curated selection of rare artifacts, archival photographs, and dynamic displays drawn directly from A.K. Smiley Public Library’s extensive collections. The galleries explore everything from the region's early days and rich agricultural heritage to the civic milestones and everyday citizens who built the town we know today.
MOR is the result of a decades-long, $30 million community-driven effort spearheaded by the Redlands Historical Museum Association, also known as MOR Friends, and fueled by the unwavering generosity of local citizens. Today, the museum thrives through a collaborative partnership: the Library Board of Trustees and Smiley Library Special Collections oversee curation and daily operations, while MOR Friends manages the museum store, pavilion, and courtyard to support ongoing programming.
Whether you are a lifelong resident or a first-time visitor, we invite you to explore the rich heritage of Redlands. This museum exists to celebrate our past and inspire our future!
MOR TIMELINE
1997
Nelda and Monte Stuck begin advocating for a dedicated museum to display a century's worth of Redlands historical artifacts stored in the A.K. Smiley Public Library basements.
2000's
-
Founders Liz Beguelin and Nelda establish the Redlands Historical Museum Association (RHMA) as a nonprofit to drive the vision forward.
-
A Temporary Setback: Initial momentum stalls when the planned museum site at the Old City Hall is unexpectedly repurposed, forcing the founders back to the drawing board.
-
​Finding a Home: A pivotal $1 million gift from Clara Mae Clem secures the vacant Redlands Daily Facts building, paired with Tim Rochford’s purchase of the adjacent lot.
2016
RHMA officially adopts the name Museum of Redlands (MOR) and launches an ambitious capital campaign that ultimately raises $30 million.
2021
Ground is broken in January, with the community pressing forward despite the challenges of a global pandemic.
2025
Following years of meticulous planning and construction, the MOR building and grounds were officially gifted to the City in May.
TODAY
The museum operates as a collaborative public-private partnership. The Library Board of Trustees and Smiley Library Special Collections manage daily operations, while RHMA oversees the museum store and event spaces.
Administered by the A.K. Smiley Public Library, the Museum of Redlands (known also as MOR) houses 13 captivating exhibits—ranging from an interactive local history timeline and a vintage flight simulator to deep dives into Redlands' foundational citrus industry.
​
Administered by the A.K. Smiley Public Library, the Museum of Redlands (known also as MOR) houses 13 captivating exhibits—ranging from an interactive local history timeline and a vintage flight simulator to deep dives into Redlands' foundational citrus industry.
history
Administered by the A.K. Smiley Public Library, the Museum of Redlands (known also as MOR) houses 13 captivating exhibits—ranging from an interactive local history timeline and a vintage flight simulator to deep dives into Redlands' foundational citrus industry.