Museum of Riverside Board
Memorandum
TO: MUSEUM OF RIVERSIDE BOARD DATE: DECEMBER 8, 2021
FROM: MUSEUM COLLECTIONS COMMITTEE
SUBJECT: ACCESSION OF INDIGENOUS AND HISTORICAL ARTIFACTS INTO THE
MUSEUM OF RIVERSIDE PERMANENT COLLECTION
ISSUE:
Approve the accession of Indigenous and historical artifacts into the Museum of Riverside permanent collection.
RECOMMENDATION:
That the Museum of Riverside Board recommends that City Council approve accession into the permanent collection of Indigenous and historical artifacts.
BACKGROUND:
At its meeting on September 8, 2021, with eight of its twelve members present, the advisory Collections Committee of the Museum unanimously supported a recommendation to accession fourteen objects made by nine Indigenous tribes into the permanent collection.
At its meeting on September 8, 2021, with e ight of its twelve members present, the advisory Collections Committee of the Museum unanimously supported a recommendation to accession three objects from the then-named Riverside Theatre into the permanent collection.
At its meeting on October 13, 2021, with eleven of its twelve members present, the advisory Collections Committee of the Museum supported a recommendation to accession one 1920s silk dress and one pair of 1920s shoes into the permanent collection. Two members opposed and one abstained.
DISCUSSION:
Fourteen Indigenous artifacts from a single donor were made by the Southwest Apache Tribes, Great Basin Indigenous Peoples, Hoopa Valley Tribe, Makah Tribe, Panamint Tribe, Pomo Tribe, Southern Paiute Tribe, Tohono O’odham Nation, and Washoe Tribe. The artifacts enrich existing mission-relevant collections and are accompanied by strong provenance.
Accession Indigenous and historical artifacts ● Page 2
Three artifacts relating to the then-named Riverside Theatre include two usher badges and one commemorative metal ticket. The artifacts were donated by the son of the original owner, who included a photograph of his father in his usher’s uniform.
The 1920s beaded silk dress and accompanying shoes have a Riverside provenance and are in good condition. The dress and shoes augment the historic cloth ing collection in areas where the collection is not strong.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no fiscal impact associated with this report.
Prepared by: Robyn G. Peterson, Ph.D., Museum Director
Approved by: Lea Deesing, Assistant City Manager
Accession Indigenous and historical artifacts ● Page 2
Indigenous artifacts
Great Basin Hoopa Valley tribe
Panamint tribe Panamint tribe
Accession Indigenous and historical artifacts ● Page 2
Pomo tribe Southern Paiute tribe
Southern Paiute tribe Washoe tribe
Makah tribe Tohono O’odham (left); SW Apache (right)
Accession Indigenous and historical artifacts ● Page 2
Theater artifacts
1920s dress and shoes
Museum of Riverside Board
Memorandum
TO: MUSEUM OF RIVERSIDE BOARD DATE: APRIL 27, 2022
FROM: MUSEUM COLLECTIONS COMMITTEE WARDS: ALL
SUBJECT: ACCESSION INTO THE PERMANENT COLLECTION FORTY-SEVEN
HISTORIC ARTIFACTS FROM TWO DONORS
ISSUE:
To approve a recommendation to accession into the permanent collection forty-seven historic artifacts from two donors.
RECOMMENDATION:
That the Museum of Riverside Board recommends that City Council approve accession into the permanent collection of forty-seven historic artifacts from two donors.
BACKGROUND:
Royal Crown Derby China and Sterling Sugar Sifter
England’s Royal Crown Derby Porcelain Company can trace its history back to 1750 and over the years has achieved a worldwide reputation for beauty, quality, and excellence. Royal Crown Derby pieces have long enhanced the elegance of Heritage House a nd represent pieces Mrs.
Bettner might have used. The inclusion of cups and saucers recommended in this report will better represent this time in history as the set has been incomplete since its initial acquisition in 2003.
Historic Glass Negatives
Through his power-of-attorney, longtime Riverside resident William Kleese offered a large number of glass plate negatives to the Museum of Riverside in August 2021, of which forty-two were determined to be in stable condition and of historic value . The negatives had long been stored in challenging preservation conditions in the basement of Hartree Grove, 6475 Victoria Avenue. The house was built in 1892 and is Riverside landmark #82. A darkroom had been built in the basement of the house either by the original owner (Hamlet Philpott) or the second owner (Herman Wilson). It’s possible that the negatives had not been moved or examined since the time of those earlier owners.
Accession Historic Artifacts ● Page 2
DISCUSSION:
Royal Crown Derby China and Sterling Sugar Sifter
Three pieces of a Royal Crown Derby tea set were acquired by the Museum in 2003 to represent an elegant tea setting in a wealthy Victorian sitting room. Since that acquisition these objects have been exhibited and appreciated b y the public ; however, the set never included teacups and saucers. These accessions would complete the set.
The same is true of the addition of the sugar sifter to the Wood Hughes Louis XV silver set, currently in the formal dining room of Heritage House. While th e silver collection at Heritage House is extensive (containing dinner forks, spoons, knives, serving spoons, and more), it is incomplete, and the sugar sifter would enhance the collection.
These five objects (two teacups, two saucers, and one sugar sifter) are all in very good condition.
As stated in the Museum of Riverside’s 2020 Collections Development Plan:
“Heritage House lacks most of its original furnishings and, thus, is operated as a stately home representative of the 1890s way of life of Riverside’s affluent citru s-growing community, rather than reflective of a specific family.”
Victorian-era Royal Crown Derby manufactured teacups and saucers
Accession Historic Artifacts ● Page 2
Wood Hughes Louis XV hallmark sterling silver sugar sifter.
Historic Glass Negatives
Staff conferred with Dr. Vince Moses and Cate Whitmore to assess the historic value of the negatives selected for retention . Dr. Moses was able, for example, to identify prominent Riverside citizens in selected negatives. Locations include the Riverside Polo Club, the Pinkerton Estate, and the house on Victoria Avenue where the negatives had been stored.
Negatives of individuals who were not immediately identifiable nevertheless are of interest because of details of their dress or their environments. A few are of interest because of the ir surprisingly informal character at a time when most photographs were staged and staid. Both Dr. Moses and Ms. Whitmore strongly encouraged inclusion of the forty -two negatives in the Museum’s permanent archival collections.
The forty-two negatives fall within the target collecting areas identified in the Museum’s Collection Development Plan, have Riverside provenance, and enhance existing archival holdings. The negatives are in stable condition and have no immediate need of conservation.
As shown below, they can be digitally converted to positive images and thus made useful for interpretation with a small investment of time. The storage space the objects require is minimal; they are not large, and space is available. Photographic coll ections are recommended to be stored in conditions colder and drier than are recommended for general collections. The Museum cannot yet provide these optimal conditions for the entire photographic collection but would be able to store this small selection of negatives in refrigerated space.
Accession Historic Artifacts ● Page 2
Images below are a representative sampling of the forty-two (42) negatives.
Hartree Grove on Victoria Avenue
Accession Historic Artifacts ● Page 2
STRATEGIC PLAN ALIGNMENT:
The accession of these objects into the Museum or Riverside’s collection aligns with the City of Riverside’s Strategic Priority No. 1 Arts, Culture and Recreation and supports Goal No. 1.5 - support programs and amenities to further develop literacy, health, and education of children, youth and seniors throughout the community.
Accession of Museum Collection items aligns with all five Cross-Cutting Threads as follows:
(Image converted to positive.) Polo club image that appears to depict C. E. Maude and possibly as well Robert Bettner, Harry Gordon Pattee, and Eric Pedley.
Unidentified woman dressed in 1890s fashion.
Accession Historic Artifacts ● Page 2
1. Community Trust – The Museum’s Collections Committee is recommending accession of these objects. The Museum’s Collections Committee is composed of Museum staff, Museum Board Members, and members of the Riverside community. Strengthening the Museum’s collections in accordance with the Museum’s Collection Development Plan builds community trust by supporting the Museum’s mission, “As a center for learning, the Museum of Riverside interacts with the community to collect, preserve, explore, and interpret the cultural and natural history of Riverside and its region.”
2. Equity – Exhibitions and programs that feature these objects are offered equitably, and equitable access is provided to collections objects for research.
3. Fiscal Responsibility – These objects were donated to the Museum at no charge.
4. Innovation – Accessioning these objects into the Museum’s permanent collection expands the diversity and flexibility of collection resources, enabling more innovative programming options.
5. Sustainability & Resiliency – Strengthening the Museum’s collections in accordanc e with the Museum’s Collection Development Plan enhances the City’s ability to preserve Riverside’s history for the future in a considered and judicious manner.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no fiscal impact associated with this report.
Prepared by: Robyn G. Peterson, Ph.D., Museum Director
Approved by: Lea Deesing, Assistant City Manager
MUSEUM OF RIVERSIDE BOARD MINUTES
Special Board Meeting (hybrid)
December 8, 2021
3580 Mission Inn Avenue, Riverside, CA 92501
Board Members Present City Staff Present Peggy Barnhart, Chair Robyn G. Peterson, Museum Director Lovelyn Razzouk, Vice-Chair (left early) Lea Deesing, Assistant City Manager Mary Hughes Toni Kinsman, Senior Office Specialist Todd Carpenter (late 3:11 p.m.) Phaedra Norton, City Attorney Rose Monge
Luz Negrón
Sharon Tennell Board Members Absent
Cynthia Zdilor Micah Tokuda
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at 3:01 p.m. by Board Chair Barnhart.
PUBLIC COMMENT
1. This is the portion of the meeting specifically set aside to invite your comments regarding any items within the jurisdiction of the Museum of Riverside Board.
No public eComments or in-person comment cards.
PRESENTATIONS
2. Presentation from the City Attorney’s Office on the Brown Act, also known as California’s Open Meeting Law
City Attorney Phaedra Norton gave a presentation to the Museum Board regarding the Brown Act and addressed questions from Board members.
3. Receive and file a presentation from the Museum of Riverside Senior Office Specialist Toni Kinsman gave a presentation on her history, roles, and responsibilities with the Museum Department. This presentation was received and filed.
CONSENT CALENDAR
4. Minutes of October 27, 2021 - Minutes were approved as written.
DISCUSSION CALENDAR (L. Razzouk was not present for votes)
5. Accession of Indigenous and historical artifacts into the Museum of Riverside’s permanent collections
The following items were recommended by the Museum of Riverside Board for City Council approval to accession into the permanent Museum collection: Indigenous and historical artifacts: fourteen (14) objects made by nine (9) Indigenous tribes , three (3) objects from the then-named Riverside Theatre, and one (1) 1920s silk dress and one (1) pair of 1920s shoes.
Motion: Board Member Hughes
Second: Board Member Carpenter
Ayes: All
Museum Board Minutes 12-8-21
2 | P a g e
6. Appoint members to ad hoc nominating committee for 2022 Museum Board officers Board members Razzouk, Zdilor, and Hughes were appointed to the ad hoc nominating committee. Board member Hughes will serve as chair.
7. To discuss, receive, and file the Strategic Plan status report for the quarter ending September 30, 2021
The quarterly report was received and filed.
8. Discuss the renewal of the Museum of Riverside’s strategic plan through FY2026- 2027
Board members Barnhart, Carpenter, Tennell and Zdilor volunteered to be on an ad hoc committee to review the draft strategic plan as Museum Board representatives.
9. Determine whether the absence of Museum of Riverside Board member Mary Hughes on October 27, 2021 should be recorded as excused or unexcused A motion was made to excuse the absence of Mary Hughes.
Motion: Board Member Zdilor
Second: Board Member Monge
Abstain: Board member Hughes & Carpenter
Ayes: Board members Barnhart, Zdilor, Tennell, Negron, Monge
10. Determine whether the absence of Museum of Riverside Board member Rose Monge on October 27, 2021 should be recorded as excused or unexcused A motion was made to excuse the absence of Rose Monge.
Motion: Board Member Tennell
Second: Board Member Zdilor
Abstain: Board member Hughes, Monge, & Carpenter
Ayes: Board members Barnhart, Zdilor, Tennell, & Negron
11. Determine whether the absence of Museum of Riverside Board member Todd Carpenter on October 27, 2021 should be recorded as excused or unexcused A motion was made to excuse the absence of Todd Carpenter.
Motion: Board Member Zdilor
Second: Board Member Tennell
Abstain: Board member Hughes & Carpenter
Ayes: Board members Barnhart, Zdilor, Tennell, Negron, & Monge
COMMUNICATIONS
12. Board Chair Report - Chair Barnhart wished everyone a happy holiday season.
13. Board Vice-Chair Report - No report.
14. Director's update regarding strategic planning, the main museum renovation, advisory teams, historic houses, staffing, collections, exhibitions and programs, marketing and communications, and volunteer and support opportunities.
In addition to the submitted report, Director Peterson reported the sudden passing of Harada House Foundation Treasurer, Nancy Takano. The Takano family is requesting donations to Museum Board Minutes 12-8-21
3 | P a g e
Harada House in Nancy’s memory. The Museum is getting close to selecting an architect for the Harada House and Interpretive Center. The new Museum website has a timeline to be live during spring 2022. Main museum architects Pfeiffer Partners will update the construction cost estimates from 2019. Sunday, January 9th, will feature a guest lecturer on the citrus industry at Heritage House. The Museum has suspended participation in the winter Arts Walk events due to safety and security concerns; participation will resume in the spring. Museum Curator of Historic Structures Lisa Masengale has resigned for family reasons and will be relocating to Washington; her last day is January 6th. The Heritage House tours during the annual Christmas Open House event on Sunday, December 12th, are sold out; however, guests may wander and enjoy the exterior event activities without a reservation.
15. Brief reports on conferences, seminars, and meetings attended by Museum of Riverside Board members
Board Member Monge reported that the RMA Multicultural Council annual Day of Inclusion is this Saturday, December 11th, at the Main Library. Reservations are required for event attendance.
16. Items for future Museum of Riverside Board consideration as requested by Board members
The March 2022 meeting will feature a report on the biennial budget preparations for fiscal years 2022-2024.
The meeting was adjourned at 4:04 p.m.
MUSEUM OF RIVERSIDE BOARD MINUTES
Hybrid Board Meeting
April 27, 2022
Art Pick Council Chambers, 3900 Main Street, Riverside, CA 92522
Board Members Present City Staff Present Cynthia Zdilor, Chair Robyn G. Peterson, Museum Director Sharon Tennell, Vice-Chair Ann Lovell, Manager of Operations Peggy Barnhart Toni Kinsman, Senior Office Specialist Todd Carpenter Lea Deesing, Assistant City Manager
Rose Monge
Luz Negrón (late 3:31 p.m.)
Lovelyn Razzouk
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at 3:00 p.m. by Chair Cynthia Zdilor
PUBLIC COMMENT
1. You are invited to participate by phone at (669) 900-6833 and enter Meeting ID: 926 9699 1265 to comment on any matters within the jurisdiction of the Museum of Riverside Board. Press *9 to be placed in the queue to speak when the agenda item is called. Individuals in the queue will be prompted to unmute by pressing *6 to speak - Individual audience participation is limited to 3 minutes.
No public eComments or callers/Zoom attendees during this agenda item.
CONSENT CALENDAR
2. Minutes of March 23, 2022, meeting - Minutes were received and filed as presented.
3. Consider whether the absence of Board member Todd Carpenter on March 23, 2022, should be recorded as an excused or unexcused absence
The absence was approved as unexcused due to lack of notification more than 24 hours prior to meeting. Report received and filed.
DISCUSSION CALENDAR
4. Accession into the permanent collection forty-seven (47) historic artifacts from two donors
No public comments were received on this agenda item.
A motion was made by the Museum of Riverside Board to recommend that City Council approve accession into the permanent collection of forty-seven (47) historic artifacts from two (2) donors. Royal Crown Derby china and sterling sugar sifter and historic glass negatives.
Motion: Board member Barnhart
Second: Board member Razzouk
Ayes: Unanimous
5. Approve a five-year Strategic Plan for Museum of Riverside operations for the fiscal years 2022-2023 through 2026-2027
No public comments were received on this agenda item.
Museum Board Minutes 4-27-2022
2 | P a g e
A motion was made to approve a five-year Strategic Plan for Museum of Riverside operations for the fiscal years 2022-2023 through 2026-2027.
Motion: Board member Barnhart
Second: Board member Monge
Ayes: Unanimous
COMMUNICATIONS
6. Director’s Update regarding COVID-19, the main museum renovation, advisory teams, historic houses, staffing, collections, exhibitions and programs, marketing and communications, and volunteer and support opportunities.
In addition to the report, Director Peterson reported that the Harada House/Interpretive Center architectural agreements are almost ready for City Council approval. The Museum actively participated in civil rights programming on April 9th and 23rd. The Insect Fair event is this Saturday. Thank you to Board members Tennell, Negrón, and Barnhart for volunteering assistance at these April activities. Friday May 6th will be the next monthly Nights with the Museum event. The recruitment process for the three Museum vacancies continues.
7. Riverside Museum Associates (RMA) quarterly update
RMA President Robin Whittington encouraged the Museum Board members to join the RMA with a paid membership and spoke about the role of the RMA in supporting the Museum with its mission and programming.
8. Harada House Foundation (HHF) quarterly update
HHF President Sarah Suverkrup Mundy announced that three new members have recently joined their Board: Congressman Mark Takano elected as an Honorary Board Member (Rafael Elizalde, Deputy Chief of Staff, is attending from the Congressman’s office), Anna Holbrook, and Deborah Moore. The HHF Board will hold a retreat on Saturday May 7th to continue progress toward becoming fully active now that the IRS nonprofit status clarification process is complete.
Board member Negrón joined the meeting at 3:31 p.m.
9. Board Chair Report – No report.
10. Board Vice-Chair Report - No report.
11. Brief reports on conferences, seminars, and meetings attended by Museum of Riverside Board members - No report.
12. Items for future Museum of Riverside Board consideration as requested by Board members – no new items were discussed at this time.
The meeting was adjourned at 3:35 p.m.
The next Museum of Riverside Board meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, May 25, 2022, at 3:00 p.m.