December 12, 2025, marked the Museum of Riverside's 101st birthday. Last year, we celebrated a century of stories. This year, we're celebrating the journey ahead, and all the progress that's happening behind the scenes. With over 200,000 artifacts and specimens, 25,000 program attendees, 850 students who toured, 85 volunteers, 4 historic structures, and a chuckwalla in a palo verde tree, there is no shortage of work to be done at this institution. Our 100th anniversary campaign was a major step in building community awareness of our mission, and we've seen record event attendance this year.
The momentum extends beyond our programs and into the work happening across our historic structures. Our main Downtown site has made significant progress since our "groundbreaking" in June.
The Downtown site is anticipated to reopen in 2027, but exhibition planning for it has been underway since 2019. The two galleries on the second floor will feature I M / MIGRATION, an exhibition on Riverside's diverse communities and histories. On the first floor, Fast 'n' Fresh will explore the Inland Empire's influence on the rise of the fast-food industry from the 1940s to the 1970s. A two-story exhibition wall will feature Unpacking Our Stories through highlight features from the permanent collections. Throughout the building, points of discovery will offer additional glimpses into the collection, and an expanded Nature Lab will return as a hands-on space for learning about the natural world right here in your own backyard.
2025 has also been a year of progress and renewed focus for the Harada House and its future Interpretive Center. With K+R Design now leading architectural design work and updated estimates soon to come, the project is moving steadily toward its next phase. Work has started on a new documentary with Holden Films, featuring the Harada family story.
Heritage House, our only site currently open to the public, has likewise moved forward this year with key preservation measures under way as well as minor site improvements. Donning such finery as a new driveway fence, a fresh coat of paint in its gift shop, and a remodeled catering kitchen, the site is more ready than ever to greet guests, both new and returning!
Our digital home received some attention as well. This fall, we launched a completely overhauled website [link to museumofriverside.org], making it easier to explore events and follow our progress. More content will be rolling out across the next year. Keep an eye out for updates, or reach out to museuminfo@riversideca.gov to let us know what you'd like to see.
As we look toward the new year, we are grateful for the many people who continue to believe in the Museum of Riverside and its mission. The work ahead is significant, but so is the momentum behind it. Thank you for being part of this journey and helping share our stories and shape our future.
