Riverside Metropolitan Museum

About the Riverside Metropolitan Museum

About The Museum

The Riverside Metropolitan Museum (RMM), a department of the City of Riverside, is the steward of the public trust of artifacts, archives, and historic sites owned by the City of Riverside. The RMM is responsible for three historic sites: National Historic Landmark Harada House, and the National Register listed Museum and Victorian House Museum Heritage House.

The Museum houses over 100,000 artifacts in its collections and 2000 linear feet of archives in the disciplines of Natural History, Anthropology, and History. Permanent and special exhibitions are on display throughout the year and are open to the public free of charge. The Museum also offers educational programs, special cultural events, and school programs.

Mission

The Riverside Metropolitan Museum is a center for learning and a community museum that collects, exhibits, and interprets cultural and natural history. In a rapidly changing community, the museum provides an understanding and appreciation of our region’s legacy.

Background

Originally called the Cornelius Earle Rumsey Indian Collection, the Museum opened in the basement of old City Hall in 1924, when the widow of NABISCO magnate Cornelius Earle Rumsey donated her late husband’s collection of Native American artifacts to the City of Riverside. In 1948, the Museum was relocated to its current facility, a former U.S. Post Office built in 1912. Nine volunteer Riverside citizens are appointed as Board Members serving in an advisory capacity to the Museum. The Riverside Arts and Cultural Affairs Division and Riverside Metropolitan Museum are a part of the Smithsonian Affiliates Program. More History on the Museum

Stewardship and Historic Preservation

Stewardship is the careful and responsible management of something entrusted to one’s care. The Museum provides professional stewardship of the collections and historic sites held in public trust by the City of Riverside. Through application of “best practices” the Museum ensures the preservation, interpretation and accessibility of the collections and historic structures.

The Anthropology, Archival, History, and Natural History collections are preserved for future generations through proper storage, collections information management policies, and procedures. ARGUS collections management software provides a comprehensive database utilized for all collections related information and activities.

Appropriate historic preservation practices serve as a guide for the care, preservation, and maintenance of the Museum’s three historic structures --- the National Register Main Museum, the National Register Heritage House, and the National Historic Landmark Harada House. Historic preservation professionals have identified the preservation needs ensure the structure’s preservation for future generations.

Museum Support

The Riverside Museum Associates (RMA), a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization that supports the activities and growth of the Museum through gifts; memorials and bequests; and volunteering through special projects and programs. Join the RMA.