Question 1

When will the Museum Open and will there be a ribbon cutting and a Gala Opening Event?

Accepted Answer

There will be a variety of festivities to honor the opening. We hope it will open in the Fall as the Library now needs to build the exhibits that will be throughout the Museum.

Question 2

Who will operate the Museum?

Accepted Answer

It will be operated by the Special Collections Division of Smiley Library, just like the Lincoln Memorial Shrine. 
The Museum is a public/private partnership between A.K. Smiley Public Library and the Redlands Historical Museum Association, also known as MOR. Day-to-day operations of the Museum and its exhibitions will be the responsibility of the Special Collections Division of the Library, while fundraising and other important responsibilities will be coordinated by RHMA.

Question 3

Who will own the Museum?

Accepted Answer

The collections, with the exception of items loaned for specific exhibits, are owned by Smiley Library, and the facilities will be owned by the City of Redlands and administered by the Library.

Question 4

How many hours will the Museum be open?

Accepted Answer

At the moment, the personnel budget allows for 24 hours a week.

Question 5

Will the Museum be free?

Accepted Answer

Yes. There may be nominal charges for the traveling exhibits.

Question 6

What kind of exhibits will be in the Museum?

Accepted Answer

A wide variety of ever-changing exhibits that will appeal to all ages. There will be art, history, and other themes that are meaningful to understanding as well as traveling exhibits.

Question 7

What are some examples of exhibits?

Accepted Answer

Redlands has a rich history and culture that is important to share.

•   Among the initial exhibition program is an ongoing and changing “Hometown Heroes” series, which will look back to highlight people from all walks of Redlands’ past who have made a difference in the community in some way.

•   The importance of the citrus industry will take center stage, especially with the 1927 International grove truck and the many artifacts and photographs that chronicle the industry and the people who worked in it.

•   Redlands has produced some incredible artists, and the Library holds an impressive collection of art depicting local scenes or created by local artists.

Question 8

Will there be events at the Museum?

Accepted Answer

Yes, and you will see many different kinds of events. The Museum includes the pavilion and two stages, and there is also space inside the Museum that can be configured for museum events.

Question 9

Will there be a store in the Museum?

Accepted Answer

Yes, and it will include high quality items available for purchase. Like most museum stores, it will feature gift items, practical items, jewelry, art items and limited clothing items.

Question 10

Will there be an opportunity to volunteer in support of the Museum?

Accepted Answer

YES!! There will be a need for docents, volunteers to work in the store, and possibly people to help manage events. Calls for volunteers and training sessions will be coming out in the Spring.

Question 11

Will there be an opportunity for ongoing gifts to the Museum?

Accepted Answer

Yes, there is always a significant need for endowment and operating funds. There will also be a Friends group, MOR Friends, and people will be able to join that group and also be part of their activities.

Question 12

How many galleries are there at the Museum?

Accepted Answer

The Rochford Family Building, the main building of the Museum, is designed with four main galleries:

•   The Daniels Family Brookside Gallery, which faces Brookside Avenue and can be viewed from the street.

•   The South Gallery, which includes its impressive atrium.

•   The Clara Mae Clem Central Gallery, which is located in between South and North Galleries and connects the East and West Loggia with access to the Laura & Jack Dangermond Pavilion & Courtyard and Events Pavilion.

•   The Jack H. Brown North Gallery, the largest of the four.

•   The wall separating the Central Gallery and the Brown North Gallery is also removable, in order to create an even larger exhibition gallery when needed. In addition, the Brown North Gallery was designed in such a way that it will provide very flexible exhibit opportunities, and can be further divided into a series of smaller galleries.

Question 13

Where are all the exhibit materials stored now?

Accepted Answer

Smiley Library utilizes several locations to store materials currently, and storage will be centralized in the Museum once the second floor is completed and new storage systems are installed.

Question 14

What is planned to be under the glass skylights? Will there be covers for the light?

Accepted Answer

The museum was intentionally designed for maximum flexibility. The South Gallery’s atrium provides a dramatic entrance for the museum, but because the space will be bathed in natural light, the Museum will be careful only to create exhibits in that space that have minimal sensitivity to light. A special system was also designed to “close” the skylight in order to make the space useable for more sensitive exhibitions.

Question 15

Will there be other non-Redlands  exhibits at the Museum?  Examples?

Accepted Answer

The Smithsonian Institute has entire division dedicated to creating and deploying traveling exhibits to qualified museums throughout the country. In addition, other major museums as well as private companies rent fully-curated exhibits. Costs vary a great deal based on size, content, and creator, and range from around $10,000 to more than $100,000.

Question 16

Will there be children’s programs?

Accepted Answer

Youth-oriented programs will be critical to expanding the educational mission of the Museum.

The Rochford Foundation made a generous contribution to the Children's Program.

Question 17

Is more parking available?

Accepted Answer

There are several different parking configurations for the onsite parking areas, including stacked parking for larger events. In addition, RHMA has developed relationships with nearby commercial properties to utilize their parking lots when even more parking is necessary.

Question 18

Who were the architects and builders?

Accepted Answer

The architects are Johnson Favaro from Culver City. The builders are Tilden Coil Constructors of Riverside, and many local subcontractors contributed their expertise to the building of the museum.

Frequently Asked Questions