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Previously unseen items from founder's collection, including piece of Amelia Earhart's plane, featured in gallery-style exhibition with UC Riverside student presenters.
Mission Inn Museum Presents Frank Miller Artifacts at New Airport Venue
Previously unseen items from founder's collection, including piece of Amelia Earhart's plane, featured in gallery-style exhibition with UC Riverside student presenters.
The Mission Inn Museum and Foundation will present a revamped Frank Miller’s Vault exhibition Sept. 13 at 6 p.m. at the Riverside Municipal Airport terminal, featuring previously unseen artifacts including a piece of Amelia Earhart’s plane.
The gallery-style event, priced at $20, showcases items from founder Frank Miller’s collection that differ from those displayed in the earlier Frank Miller’s Vault exhibition at the Fox Theater, according to Museum President Jennifer Gamble.
“There’s artifacts that haven’t been seen before,” Gamble said. The new lineup ensures visitors will discover different pieces from Miller’s extensive collection, even if they attended the Fox Theater event. The airport terminal setting complements aviation-related artifacts such as the Earhart plane fragment.
UC Riverside students will serve as presenters during the event, adding an educational component. The Airport Cafe will offer a special menu for the evening.
The museum has repositioned the popular Frank Miller’s Vault concept with new artifacts, a new location and reduced pricing from previous versions. The exhibition reflects the foundation’s ongoing effort to share different aspects of Miller’s collection while moving beyond familiar downtown locations into western Riverside.
Miller, who transformed the Mission Inn from a small boarding house into an international destination in the early 1900s, was an avid collector of artifacts from around the world. His vault contained items ranging from historical documents to international curiosities acquired during his travels and business dealings.
The airport venue provides expanded gallery space for displaying the artifacts in a museum-style format while creating thematic ties to aviation pieces in the collection.
The collaboration with UC Riverside students reflects the museum’s commitment to educational programming. Student presenters will provide context and historical background for the displayed items, offering visitors deeper insights into Miller’s collecting habits and the significance of individual pieces.
The Museum and Foundation continues to work on securing a permanent location while presenting traveling exhibitions and special events. The organization also manages historical programming related to the Mission Inn’s legacy and Miller’s role in Riverside’s development.
Additional programming is planned around the Mount Rubidoux Peace Tower anniversary, including a photo competition and related events.
More information: Tickets for the Sept. 13 Frank Miller’s Vault exhibition are available at eventbrite.com or by calling (951) 781-8241. Admission includes access to all displayed artifacts and student presentations.
The All Things Considered co-host brought humor, heart, and hard-earned wisdom to the University Theatre stage, sharing stories from the field and lessons for a life well-lived.
