City Council will discuss placing tax measures on the June ballot including a potential 0.25% sales tax generating $21 million annually and consider warehouse development restrictions.
Ian M. Wright reaches for ripe navel oranges during Heritage House's January harvest, continuing a seasonal tradition that connects visitors to Riverside's citrus heritage. (Courtesy of the Museum of Riverside)
Have you seen Heritage House's navel oranges? January is a great time to harvest and we must say, they look delicious this year!
Riverside's groves helped shape our region's identity. Crates of citrus would travel across the country, promising quality and a taste of California. The Museum of Riverside's archival collection includes roughly 2,600 colorful citrus crate labels, so it's safe to say this aspect of the marketing of citrus fruit is an important part of Riverside's story as well. If you're interested in taking a piece of this history home, you can find original historic crate labels in various designs in the Heritage House gift shop, another great reason to visit this local gem.
The Museum of Riverside's collection includes roughly 2,600 colorful citrus crate labels like these "Laurel" and "Blue Banner" designs from Riverside County growers. Original historic labels are available for purchase at the Heritage House gift shop. (Courtesy of the Museum of Riverside)
Each season, the Museum staff make a day of it and harvest the oranges at Heritage House, following local guidelines so the fruit can be safely enjoyed on site. You may have heard that parts of California fall within citrus quarantine zones, but following local guidelines, this year's harvest can be safely enjoyed on site. Docents may offer oranges at the end of tours, or visitors may ask staff to pick one to enjoy in the gardens. On-site staff will be available to share the latest guidance on how to safely enjoy an orange, and proper disposal of peels on site helps curb the spread of invasive species that threaten local trees and groves.
Cesar Mendez prepares to harvest navel oranges at Heritage House, where the annual citrus season brings fresh fruit and local history together. (Courtesy of the Museum of Riverside)
Curious whether your home falls in a quarantine area? The California Department of Food and Agriculture has the most up-to-date information on both quarantine zones and guidelines for proper handling. Find more information here: cdfa.ca.gov
Visit Heritage House Friday through Sunday, 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. and enjoy one of our delectable oranges. While there, join us for a docent-led tour. We have lots of juicy stories to tell and we are told that they have a lot of a-peel!
Written by Museum Educator Kim Cobb and Natural History Curator Ian M. Wright, and edited by Chantal Downing
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