Museum of Riverside – A New Exhibition, a Lunar Eclipse, and More!

With longer days ahead, it's the perfect time to explore something new! From a new exhibition at Heritage House to a lunar eclipse on the horizon, plus programs covering everything from local reptiles to civil rights, the Museum of Riverside has something for everyone. See what’s coming up!

First Comes Love: Courtship in the Victorian Era

March 14 – June 29, 2025

On view in the historic Heritage House, First Comes Love: Courtship in the Victorian Era explores the customs, rituals, and evolving expectations of romance and marriage during the late 19th century. The exhibition examines how courtship transformed from a matter of economic and social necessity into a pursuit of love and emotional fulfillment, reflecting the changing roles of women and their gradual shift toward personal agency in relationships.

Visitors will encounter artifacts that illuminate the intricacies of Victorian courtship, including handwritten letters, delicate lockets, and a beautifully preserved wedding gown. Music, literature, and sentimental objects—such as fans used for secret communication—offer insight into the coded ways individuals expressed affection within the constraints of social decorum. The exhibition also highlights how public spaces like opera houses, church gatherings, and tennis clubs provided new opportunities for courtship, while strict chaperoning ensured that decorum was maintained.

Heritage House itself plays a crucial role in contextualizing these themes. Built in the late 19th century by Catharine Bettner after the death of her husband, the home represents both the expectations placed upon women and the ways in which they navigated and, at times, defied those norms. Catharine, a first-generation Irish immigrant, moved to Riverside with her family in the 1870s and later managed her household independently as a widow.  Her decision to build and maintain her own residence symbolizes a subtle but significant step toward female autonomy, echoing the broader cultural shifts of the era. Throughout the house, objects on view will be marked with a special icon to guide visitors through the exhibition. Highlights include an 1892 silk wedding dress and floral wreath in the parlor, 19th-century sheet music in the music room, and a first edition of Jane Eyre in the sitting room—each reflecting the era’s romantic ideals and evolving gender expectations. By connecting historical courtship rituals to the Bettner family’s own story, First Comes Love offers a compelling look at love, tradition, and the evolving role of women in society. Contributed by Taylor Bythewood-Porter, Curator of History Image credit: Museum of Riverside

A Total Lunar Eclipse Is Coming!

Lunar Eclipse Collage

Image credit: Ian M. Wright

A total lunar eclipse is happening this Wednesday night, and the entire western hemisphere gets to see it! If you’re anywhere in North or South America on the night of March 13th into early March 14th, you’ll have a front-row seat to this phenomenal event.

Here in Riverside, the moon will begin passing through Earth’s shadow at 10:09 p.m. PDT, reaching totality from 11:26 p.m. to 12:31 a.m., when it will glow a deep reddish-blonde—lit by all the world’s sunsets and sunrises. The moon will gradually return to full brightness, exiting partiality by 1:47 a.m.

How to Photograph the Eclipse

No fancy equipment is needed—your phone can capture it! The trick is adjusting exposure. Most cameras, including cell phones, try to brighten dark scenes, which turns the moon into a blurry dot. Instead, manually lower your phone’s brightness slider to darken the exposure and reveal more detail.

For larger cameras, start with these settings and adjust as needed:

• Full Moon: f/8, ISO 200, 1/200 sec. shutter
• Eclipsed Moon (Totality): f/5.6, ISO 6400, 1/10 sec. shutter

Gradually tweaking these settings throughout the eclipse can result in stunning images.

Look to the eastern sky late at night on March 13th to witness this celestial event—and happy shooting!

Written by Ian Wright, Curator of Natural History

Upcoming Programs

First Comes Love: Courtship in the Victorian Era Opening Activities Saturday, March 15 |12-4 p.m. Heritage House - 8193 Magnolia Avenue Riverside, CA 92504

Victorian courtship included very personal messages sent in code through flowers, fans, and even stamp placement on letters. Come learn about these secret love messages and tour the house to see the new exhibition, First Comes Love: Courtship in the Victorian Era.  From 12-4 p.m., join us in the gardens for an afternoon of creating paper flowers, fans, and silhouette cutouts. This event is family-friendly and FREE. Book your free tour of the house today!

Dr. Julie Reints from Dissertation Soap will join us for a morning of exploring our sense of smell. Make your own bath bomb with a personalized mix of scents. Tickets are $10. Event is recommended for ages 7+. Capacity is 50 per session. Save your place today!

“The Science of Scent” | Saturday, March 22nd $10 per guest| 9-10:30 a.m. OR 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.  Heritage House - 8193 Magnolia Avenue Riverside, CA 92504

Saturday, April 5^th | In/VISIBLE, Un/HEARD: Riverside’s Civil Rights Stories

10 a.m.–1 p.m | Multiple Sites

This self-guided auto tour of civil rights sites in Riverside returns for its third and final tour!  Start at the site where Lowell School once stood before it was burned down in 1965. Through performance and recollection, this experience leading to school desegregation in Riverside will come alive. Drive next to Evergreen Memorial Historic Cemetery for an expressive performance evoking the civil rights leaders buried in the cemetery. Conclude the tour at the Civil Rights Institute of Inland Southern California for a panel discussion and book giveaway. Light refreshments available at the final stop on the tour on a first-come, first-served basis. Tour is free. Supported by California Humanities.

**NOTE: This is a self-guided auto tour to historic sites in Riverside. The first stop will be at 10 a.m. near the former Lowell School site, 4690 Victoria Ave., 92507. The second stop will be at Evergreen Cemetery, 4414 14th St., 92501, at approximately 10:55 a.m. The tour will culminate at The Civil Rights Institute of Inland Southern California, 3933 Mission Inn Ave., at approximately 11:45 a.m. **

Sunday, April 6th | First Sundays at the corner of Main Street and Mission Inn Avenue | 1–4 p.m.  Special guest Joseph Hart, the Reptile Hunter, is back! Join us at the Museum of Riverside booth on the corner of Main Street and Mission Inn Avenue as Joseph shares his live snakes and lizards. Come meet some reptiles and learn about what makes these creatures special and how they’ve adapted to their environments.