The Redlands Day of Service on April 27, 2013 will see the creation of Heritage Park in Redlands and the museum’s adjacent Asistencia will receive much-needed renovations. The Redlands Service Club Council and the Helping Hands organization of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints collaborated with the San Bernardino County Museum to benefit the Asistencia, California Historical Landmark #42, on Barton Road.

The historic site will be closed to the public from April 9 through 27 to allow volunteers from these organizations to implement repairs and prepare the museum building for new exhibits. “The renovation of the museum building exhibits will be ongoing,” said Curator of History Michele Nielsen. “There will be new, colorful graphics, engaging hands-on activities, and a fresh approach to the fascinating history of this site and the surrounding area.”

The Asistencia started life on the Rancho San Bernardino about 1830 as an estancia of the Mission San Gabriel. The Asistencia of today was constructed between 1926 and 1937 using local, state (SERA) and federal (WPA) funds.

“Members of the Redlands Service Club Council and the Helping Hands organization of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints have worked very diligently to garner monetary and volunteer support from the greater community for this project,” said Nielsen. “Their efforts are very much appreciated! The County of San Bernardino recognizes these organizations, their members, and dedicated volunteers for caring enough to promote and preserve the history of our region. The repairs to our structures and the new exhibit opportunities they are funding will make it possible for the museum to re-interpret this special site in a very meaningful way.”

The Asistencia is a historic site of the San Bernardino County Museum at 26930 Barton Road in Redlands. For more information, visit www.co.san-bernardino.ca.us/museum/. The site is accessible to persons with disabilities. If assistive listening devices or other auxiliary aids are needed in order to participate in museum exhibits or programs, requests should be made through Museum Visitor Services at least three business days prior to your visit. Visitor Services’ telephone number is 909-307-2669 ext. 229 or (TDD) 909-792-1462.