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Celebrate a Very Merry Christmas at the María Merced Williams and John Rains House

Experience a Victorian Christmas this holiday season at the historic María Merced Williams and John Rains House, located at 8810 Hemlock Street in Rancho Cucamonga on Saturday, Dec. 14 from 4 to 7 p.m. This early 1860s residence will be decorated for a 19^th century Christmas celebration, and you’re invited to visit.

Guests will step into a world of Victorian charm, where the sights, sounds, and scents of a bygone era come to life. The site will be decked out in holiday decorations, including hand-crafted ornaments by local students, flickering candlelight, and festive greenery.

Visitors can explore the elegantly adorned rooms, each reflecting the traditions and customs of the Victorian era, complete with volunteers sharing stories of yuletide cheer from the era. Experience the joy of meeting Santa Claus himself with an opportunity to take a photo with the big man in red.

The María Merced Williams and John Rains House has a history as colorful as the property’s gardens. Namesakes Rains and Merced, granddaughter of the prominent landowner Don Antonio María Lugo, built the home to withstand the hot Inland Southern California climate, and of course to entertain. The home features multiple large rooms and guest quarters as well as an open flume that carries water from springs through the kitchen and into the patio under the house to the orchard, providing water to the plants and cooling the home.

“We are excited to bring back this nostalgic event back to the María Merced Williams and John Rains House to highlight the holiday splendor and traditions of the past,” points out Curator of History Drisel Perez. “This is a fun opportunity for our community to visit our wonderful historic site with family and friends as well as revel in the holiday spirit!”

The María Merced Williams and John Rains House is located at 8810 Hemlock Street in Rancho Cucamonga. The historic site is open Tuesdays through Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Admission is free to the public, donations are welcome. Parking is free and the site is accessible to persons with disabilities. For more information, visit museum.sbcounty.gov or follow us on Facebook or Instagram.

The San Bernardino County Museum’s exhibits of regional, cultural and natural history and the Museum’s other exciting events and programs reflect the effort by the Board of Supervisors to achieve the Countywide Vision by celebrating arts, culture and education in the county, creating quality of life for residents and visitors.