Event date: Friday, April 30,
2010
Event place:
Redlands, CA
Artisans and Artwork at the
Asistencia
On Friday, April 30, Curator of History Michele
Nielsen will lead a walking tour at the Asistencia in
Redlands at 1pm. This curatorial walk is open to public and free
of charge.
A San Bernardino County Museum historic site, the Asistencia was built in the 1930s
near the location of the original estancia of the Mission San
Gabriel using local, State Emergency Relief Administration, and
Works Progress Administration funds. It was completed in 1937. In 1960, it
was dedicated as California State Historical Landmark #42 as an outstanding
example of handcrafted structures of the WPA era. It became a popular car
touring destination, and is a part of California's interesting
history of blending the old and new, legend and
reality.
“During the walk, we will have a chance to examine some of the fine
details of the buildings, created by expert craftspeople on site,” said Nielsen.
“Some of the construction techniques and materials, as well as decorative
elements are made from recycled or easily renewable resources. These
buildings were ‘green’ before their time! As a part of the tour,
visitors can examine documentation and photographs related to the building
project, and step back in time as we talk about why and how this enduring
historic and tourist destination was created, and how Depression era programs
made a lasting mark on our landscape.”
The Asistencia is located at
26930
Barton Road in Redlands. No admission fee is charged. For more
information, call (909) 307-2669 ext. 240, or visit
www.sbcountymuseum.org.
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