Rancho Bernardo history museum opens
By Elizabeth Marie Himchak
A new chapter in Rancho Bernardo’s history has begun with the opening of a permanent Rancho Bernardo Historical Society Museum.
Scores of Rancho Bernardans gathered on Sept. 12 to get their first look at the exhibits and new location right off Bernardo Winery’s south driveway at 13330 Paseo del Verano Norte. Rancho Bernardo Business Association hosted the ribbon cutting ceremony.
RB Historical Society President Karen Rott said she was “thrilled” since the permanent museum is something members have worked to achieve since 2004, though the idea has been discussed for decades.
Rott said the capital campaign started when in 2004 then-County Supervisor Pam Slater-Price said the county could provide a $25,000 grant if the historical society could match it. Recently, the group received $10,000 from the City of San Diego, money made available due to cost-saving efforts in District 5 by former City Councilman Carl DeMaio and current City Councilman Mark Kersey.
Countless community members participated in fundraisers over the years that included tile painting, annual events like the pancake breakfast and RB Tastings Festival, plus they purchased engraved bricks, cornerstones, benches and lampposts installed outside the museum.
Rott said the museum has come a long way from its first location — a storage shed at Bernardo Winery. Four years ago it relocated to the winery’s Vineyard Room and now moved to where members said it will stay for at least 10 years and likely longer — the winery’s bunkhouse that until recently was part of its Village Shops.
“This is our home,” Rott said. “We’ll not be moving from this one.”
When speaking about volunteers, Rott said, “These people have been tireless.” She singled out Tom Cook for his efforts as museum construction manager. “His tenacity is just incredible. He’s dreamed of this museum for as long as I’ve known him.”
Larry Himmel, a KFMB TV reporter who served as master of ceremonies, added “this doesn’t happen by magic,” citing the “blood, sweat, tears and money” that went into making the museum a reality.
Also praising the group’s effort were Kersey and County Supervisor Dave Roberts, who participated in the ribbon cutting ceremony that included RB Historical Society board members, RBBA members, Miss RB Katherine Da Silva, Miss RB Teen Kayla Anderson and RB Honorary Mayor Scott Lawn.
Roberts said he was pleased to see the progress made to date and looks forward to helping the group reach other goals so the museum can grow and evolve.
Goals include restoring a historic stagecoach the group recently acquired, Cook announced. Pictures of the stagecoach were displayed and fundraising will likely begin in several months. When restoration to its 1870s appearance is complete, the stagecoach will be displayed inside the museum, he said.
The 1,610-square-foot museum has space for exhibits on Rancho Bernardo and area history, an archive, office and storage room.
It is open 9 a.m. to noon on Tuesdays, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Fridays and noon to 3 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. The group wants to extend its hours, but needs more volunteers to staff the museum. Admission is free. For details, go to
or call 858-775-5788.