Discover Riverside's Free Victorian Museum for a Taste of History

I stumbled upon this hidden gem in Riverside—a completely free museum that Eastside residents should definitely check out! Riverside Heritage House Cost: Free 🎫, but walk-ins are not allowed 🚫. You need to book a free slot on Eventbrite in advance (since many items are not touchable, guided tours are required). At the end 🏁, there's a voluntary donation of $5. We were so impressed that we each gave $10! ⚠️ I really wanted to take some Lolita photos inside because it's so beautiful, but I'm not sure if it's allowed (I think it's probably not). You can call ahead to ask. Opening Hours: Fridays to Sundays, 12 PM - 3 PM Tour Duration: About 1.5 hours ⏰️ Parking 🚗: Free parking spots are available behind the site (street parking is also an option). The house was originally owned by a woman who moved here in the late 19th century and had a large citrus farming business 🍊. After her death, her descendants sold the house to the Riverside City government. So, this house has over 100 years of history! The entire house, from its decorations to its furniture, is steeped in Victorian charm. Stepping inside feels like traveling back over 100 years! The lady of the house was quite forward-thinking, installing an electrical system in the house. ⚠️ Almost all the furniture is antique, so touching or sitting on them is not allowed. The tour guides are very knowledgeable. They'll tell you stories about the house's owners, the architecture, and some of the old items. It's fascinating to hear and see things you've never encountered before! What surprised me most was that the house's former butler was a Chinese immigrant 🇨🇳 who came to the US in the late Qing Dynasty. His job was to take care of the owner's daily needs. He was from Kaiping, Guangdong, spoke English, and had his own small room. He later taught the lady of the house Chinese grafting techniques, which greatly contributed to her citrus business. There used to be a Chinatown in Riverside, but it was destroyed by a fire 🔥. In this small museum, you can not only see what life was like over a century ago but also learn about the early history of Chinese immigration. It's truly worth a visit! 🌟 #ExploreMuseums #MustVisitMuseum #WorthTheTrip #VictorianArchitecture #LosAngelesMuseums #FreeAttractions #EastLA #FamilyFriendlyRiverside #EarlyChineseImmigration #WeekendInLA