Nearly 200 residents gathered for the inaugural Heritage Club Fair, where historic organizations dating back more than a century shared their missions, recruited new members, and highlighted the role of community clubs in Redlands’ past and future.
Annual fundraiser returns Oct. 23 at Museum of Redlands Gardens
City-backed forum will cover EVs, transit, walking and biking; free event at the Flores Senior Center.
Nearly 200 residents gathered for the inaugural Heritage Club Fair, where historic organizations dating back more than a century shared their missions, recruited new members, and highlighted the role of community clubs in Redlands’ past and future.
REDLANDS, Calif. – Even before the Tuesday night event was formally opened, the floor buzzed with people eager to learn more about the 27 local organizations at the Heritage Club Fair, the first of its kind.
“The amazing thing about the club sphere here in Redlands is that it is so long,” said John "JP" Beall, vice president of the Redlands Area Historical Society, the organization behind the event. More than 60 groups were invited.
The organizations' ages spanned from 1887 to 2002. The oldest being Redlands East Valley YMCA and the youngest, the Two Canyons Conservancy and Parklands.
“The focus here on these clubs tonight are clubs that are 50 years of age or more which is considered by federal and national standards historic by age. We have groups here that are younger but they look after historic sites,” said Beall. Seven of the groups present were founded before 1900, and 13 groups were over a hundred years old.
Heritage clubs are not only of interest to the senior population. Beall mentioned that at the Historic Society, the average members today have lived in town seven years or less. It used to be long term Redlands residents. “We are hoping to build bridges for Redlanders of all ages,” he said.
The event kicked off with a ribbon cutting from the Redlands Chamber of Commerce.
“It’s one of the largest turnouts in almost four years in this job,” said Evan Sandford, the Chamber’s executive director.
Redlands Area Historical Society presented themselves just before the president, Judith Hunt, cut the ribbon.
“We really want people to know about the heritage and the history of Redlands and we think this is a really good way to get the word out,” said Hunt.
One of the volunteers with Redlands Conservancy, An Ho, began volunteering three years ago. He was introduced to the conservancy at a table event, just like that night. “I have always loved nature and just being part of the community,” he said. “It makes a lot of sense to me to give back.” Ho said there are many ways to get involved: “Managing lands, maintaining the Assistencia and the many trails, and help is always needed.”
Local photographer, Bruce Herwig, was representing Redlands Camera Club, founded in 1886.
“The mission of the Redlands Camera Club was to help promote the art and the science of photography,” he said. “And the science literally was chemicals mixed to put on glass. You had to be a chemist to be a photographer.” He has been a member for the past decade and is the current club president.
Historian Nelda Stuck represented several organizations, including the Redlands Area Historical Society, Museum of Redlands, P.E.O. (Philanthropic Educational Organization), Horticultural and Improvement Society, Citrus Belt Quilters, and the Redlands Spinet, founded in 1894.
“I love Redlands,” Stuck said.
For some of the older organizations, letting people know they still exist is important.
“We are here to let people know we are still around,” said Christina Lyle with Job’s Daughters, an organization for young women in the Masonic Lodge Society. The chapter in Redlands has been around for the past 90 years; Lyle’s daughter Joanna is a third-generation member. “[We are] helping girls grow and develop into productive members of society,” Lyle said.
Raising awareness and getting more volunteers were common goals at the event. Redlands Contemporary Club president Darlene Held emphasized the need for volunteers. Two new members joined during the event.
“It’s been a wonderful event for us,” she said.
For other groups donations were more important. The Redlands Community Scholarship Foundation was seeking donors for its annual scholarships.
“My kids still talk about how the community got together to support their education,” said board member Rebecca Johnston.
Another goal was sharing new information. Founded in 1931, the Redlands Assistance League announced its independence from the national organization. “We wanted to be able to make decisions for Redlands,” said president Shirley Guy. “Nothing has changed on our programs or our people.”
The group began in 1931, though their thrift store goes back to 1917. At their table lay recipe cards from previous Camelia Luncheons.
The newest addition to the heritage groups were the Two Canyons Conservancy and Parklands. Vice president Daryl Smith spoke about the vision of re-creating the manmade lakes at the El Casco Ranch site on Live Oak Canyon Road. The site is the location of the original Frink ranch, where the Frink brothers lived before Horace Frink built a little adobe in Loma Linda, the oldest home there from 1870. Both projects need funds, with a goal of $500,000.
Each table was staffed by board members, leaders, or volunteers speaking with passion about the causes and impact of their organizations. Nearly 200 attendees explored the exhibits.
The many heritage organizations were not only preserving history but also creating memories in the present and visions for the future.
“Come see the concert organist Laurent Jochum,” said Stuck, promoting an upcoming program. “He’s from France.” The concert takes place Oct. 21 at First Congregational Church.
The complete list of participating clubs, includes:
Sign up for our weekly newsletter
