In the 1937 building which was long the company store for the Foothill Lemon Ranch, the 10,000 sq. ft. museum was opened in 2000 and has been busy collecting important local artifacts ever since. We are honored to have a professional curator of lifelong experience, Noella Benvenuti, who has created a museum experience far beyond that which you would expect from a small town collection of old relics.
The museum is open Tuesdays -Saturdays, 10 am - 2 pm. Closed Sundays, Mondays and holiday weekends. And it's free.
The Arts Colony
We're not following the Mayan calendar with any of our planning for 2012. It's another year of long-term growth and this year we'll be focusing on growing more art.
Since the beginning, the park has become somewhat known as an art colony. We are attempting to remove the "somewhat" and create a broader,more encompassing, more available organization of visual artists not only for this community, but for the region. In fact, we've decided to call it The Arts Colony.
If you show up tomorrow looking for The Arts Colony, there'll be little to see. We're starting with a clean canvas and have thought hard over the last few months on what can make TEC as different and efficacious as the rest of the park.
Our new director is a past organizational professional, Eric Peterson. We also have commitments from several very good artists and actively looking for more. Now is the time to get involved at the ground floor. If you would like to help develop the next great arts organization in SoCal, you can email your interest or questions to info@artscolony.org, or call 951-898-A-R-T-S.
Art Classes and Studios
The Corona Heritage Artists-In-Residence (CHAIR) are professional artists and/or degreed educators that operate their studios and provide classes here art the park. These currently include two glass blowers, a woodworker, potter, printmaker, photographer and children's art educator.
These artists comprise the core faculty of our educational campus. Visit this link for help navigating the many fluid and seasonal art class schedules.
Homework Club & Tutoring
To help children and families realize their potential by using their gifts while closing the achievement gap and impacting the community. At Education 1st, all ages and subjects welcome, including students with disabilities. (Classes are held in the Conference Room and are wheelchair accessible) Our programs are designed to reinforce classroom instruction and are standards based. We also offer tutoring and consulting for students pre-school to college.
Se habla espaņol. Call Natasha Rumsey at 951-271-6126 or email edfirsttutor@yahoo.com.
Hampton House
Standing since 1911, this beautifully maintained home was built by S.B. Hampton, the founder of Corona Foothill Lemon Company, the once largest lemon ranch in all of California.
It is presently home to Common Ground Corona, an interfaith spiritual center.
Herkelrath House
We've always called it the art house because it's been the Corona Art Association's gallery and hosted dozens of great art shows over the years. It was built in 1921 and was home to Carl Herkelrath, the accountant for the Corona Foothill Lemon Company.
No doubt the house will continue to be called the art house as it will soon become the main gallery space for The Arts Colony.
Call Ranch House
Moved in 2004 from California and Ontario Streets, the 1903 house is now nestled in our half-acre specimen lemon grove. With a foundation designed and built to last at least the next hundred years, the house has begun its transformation.
In yet having any permanent utilities hook ups, the house has had several temporary uses including a facility for occasional police SWAT and K-9 training.
Garden Society The Corona Heritage Garden Society is dedicated to furthering the education, enjoyment and interest of gardeners, but also organize field trips to discover the many various and beautiful gardens, nurseries and other locations in Southern California with interest to gardeners.
The Garden Society also helps enhance the park with many varieties of plantings and the completed Honor Rose Garden. For information call Cynthia Dee at 951-371-0048.