The next time you visit the John Rains House in Rancho Cucamonga, you will see a new coat of paint on the caretaker’s cottage and a sturdy low wall where there once was rubble, thanks to two enterprising Eagle Scout candidates, their families, and friends. Steven Scott of Inland Empire Counsel Troop 635 and Seni Toki of Inland Empire Counsel Troop 613 carefully planned and executed their projects to benefit this historic site in the San Bernardino County Museum system.

During the month of July, Scott gathered materials and supplies and with fellow Scouts he recruited as assistants, scraped, primed and painted the eaves, trim, posts, and stucco on the caretaker cottage over the course of several days. He worked with individuals and corporations in the community including Dunn Edwards Paint, The Paint Bucket, and Home Depot to obtain paint and tools, and then organized the work to be done, completing the project in record time and in record heat.

Seni Toki, his family, and fellow troop members and parents designed and built a low garden wall at the front entrance to the Rains House. Toki also engaged community partners in his project and recruited assistants.

“It is really thrilling to see capable young people take the leadership role in volunteering their time and talents toward our historic sites, important parts of our collective history, and communities. I personally thank Steven and Seni and their dedicated parents and friends for making a difference at the John Rains House,” said Michele Nielsen, curator of history at the San Bernardino County Museum. “Not only are Scouts planning and carrying out terrific projects toward their Eagle Scout designations, but they are doing a real community service. Our historic sites are a wonderful cultural resource in our communities, visited by school and tour groups, families and individuals throughout the year. Improvements and renovation work are always needed to keep our sites looking their best, and we appreciate the efforts of the Scouts and their families.”

The John Rains House, at 8810 Hemlock in Rancho Cucamonga, is open Tuesdays through Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. To reach the site, take Vineyard Avenue north from Interstate 10. Turn right on Hemlock, just north of Foothill Boulevard.  No admission fee is charged; donations will go toward the preservation and maintenance of the historic site. For more information, call Michele Nielsen at (909) 307-2669 ext. 240.