Harvest of Happenings!

October is here and the Museum of Riverside has a full lineup of amazing programs (starting today, October 1) from La Sierra to Orange Terrace and everywhere in between. Some are perfect for the whole family, others are recommended for ages 16+, but all are FREE(!)

Scroll below and check out the many wonderful ways you can explore the cultural and natural history of Riverside and the region.

Dive into the world of Victorian practices and beliefs surrounding the afterlife. Perfect to kick off spooky season!

"Victorian Afterlife Rituals" is scheduled for Thursday, October 1, from 6 to 9 p.m. at the corner of University Avenue and Main Street in downtown Riverside. Coincides with Riverside Artswalk.

Explore the history of the natural history of Riverside — from 250 years to 250 million years ago.

"250 (Million) Years of Riverside Ecology" is scheduled for Saturday, October 3, from 10 a.m. to noon at the Riverside-Corona Resource Conservation District's LandUse Learning Center, 4500 Glenwood Drive, Riverside, CA 92501.

Explore the Native American labor that helped shape and build our city, and try building your own mini-canal.

"Riverside's First Labor Force: Highlighting Native American Labor" is scheduled for Sunday, October 4, from 1 to 4 p.m. at the corner of Mission Inn Avenue and Main Street in downtown Riverside. Coincides with First Sundays. This program is part of the City of Riverside's commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Indepence.

Learn about a Golden State legacy that led to a huge expansion in agriculture and outlived the Forty-Niners.

"The Second California Gold Rush" is scheduled for Thursday, October 8, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Orange Terrace Community Center, 20010 Orange Terrace Parkway, Riverside, CA 92508. This illustrated talk is part of the City of Riverside's commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Indepence.

Join us as we share our passion for all fossils. Big, small, broken, or perfect — we love them all.

"Fossil Day" is scheduled for Wednesday, October 14, from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. at the La Sierra Library, 4600 La Sierra Avenue, Riverside, CA 92505.

Enjoy a screening of the gothic horror classic Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1941), from the director of Gone with the Wind and The Wizard of Oz.

This screening of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, part of our Movies on the Lawn series, is scheduled for Friday, October 16, at Heritage House, 8193 Magnolia Avenue, Riverside CA 92504. Doors open at 6 p.m. and the screening will begin at 6:30 p.m.

Enjoy "Tea with the Undertaker," consult a tarot card reader, or experience Victorian mourning and death practices.

"Victorian Dark Carnival" is scheduled for Saturday, October 17, from noon to 4 p.m. at Heritage House, 8193 Magnolia Avenue, Riverside, CA 92504. 

Join us for a screening of the documentary film American Agitators, which focuses on the legacy of labor and community organizers Fred Ross Sr. and his son, Fred Ross Jr.

This screening of American Agitators is scheduled for Thursday, October 22, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Riverside Main Library Community Room, 3900 Mission Inn Avenue, Riverside, CA 92501.

Learn about the colors and techniques Victorians developed for creating art – some that may have put them in their graves!

"Dying for Art" is scheduled for Saturday, October 24, from noon to 4 p.m. at Heritage House, 8193 Magnolia Avenue, Riverside, CA 92504. This event is one of several programs accompanying our Gilded: The Art of Heritage House exhibition, which will be on view at Heritage House through November 29. This event is suggested for those ages 16+.

Celebrate the opening of our California's Grizzlies: The Natural and Human History of Our Iconic State Animal exhibition. Enjoy a grizzly-themed grazing table, a talk with Natural History Curator Ian M. Wright, and a special giveaway (while supplies last).

The opening reception for "California's Grizzlies" is scheduled for Friday, October 30, from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. at the Orange Terrace Community Center, 20010 Orange Terrace Parkway, Riverside, CA 92508.

"Behind the Black Veil" tours of the Heritage House reveal how the Victorians mourned their dead. Experience the parlor set up for a wake, postmortem pictures, hair jewelry, and other signs of mourning.

"Behind the Black Veil" tours will run from October 2 to November 8 at Heritage House, 8193 Magnolia Avenue, Riverside, CA 92504.