Welcome Back to the Heritage Museum
On Saturday, November 6, we finally opened our doors to the public. After 20 long months. Even as our doors were closed we were working to improve the museum experience.
Inside, repairs and upgrades were made from floor to ceiling. New display cases have been added and the floorplan rearranged, better to showcase our favorite old displays and some exciting new ones.
The one-room school house is popular with our younger guests.
Back is the one-room schoolhouse and the Post Office/General Store exhibit. A series of displays trace the history of our area from when it was occupied by indigenous people through the time of the early settlers and farmers, the origins of “Old Poway” and the arrival of a public water supply in 1954, which changed the course of development.
Special exhibits include a look at the pandemics of 1918 and 2020, a colorful collection of “Prohibition pottery” from Coors and a collection of vintage kitchen tools. You’ll find pictures and stories from Poway’s past, plus the latest news from PHMS on our Facebook group.
Membership Update
During the pandemic shutdown, we put renewal requests on hold, no one’s membership “expired.” Now that we’re up and running, we hope you will send in your renewal (or new) membership form.
Become a Member
Volunteers Needed!
As we are reopening we need enthusiastic volunteers. If you like interacting with the public, a spot as a docent in the museum or Nelson House or a tour guide could be a good fit.
Behind the scenes, we also need researchers, organizers, and computer whizzes. If you have any questions or need further information, stop by when we are open or call us at (858) 679-8587 and leave a message. You can also view more information about volunteer opportunities.
The Story of Our Heritage Museum
In 1964, a group of longtime residents, who had known Poway before the arrival of a municipal water supply brought rapid growth and change, saw a need to preserve memories of the past. For several years an “Old Timers Picnic” had been held at Felicita Park in Escondido or at the Big Stone Lodge picnic grounds in Poway. At their 1964 picnic at Felicita Park, they took action to form the Poway Historical and Memorial Society.
The 65 charter members had a wealth of recollections and had amassed photos, writings, and vintage items, but had no place to share them on a permanent basis. But they did have enthusiasm. Through the 1970s, the members continued to look for a home for the growing collection of memorabilia.
Shortly after Poway incorporated in 1980, the board came to the city council with a number of extremely ambitious proposals to lease land and build a museum and/or heritage park. The city offered to lease a plot at Lake Poway Park, but PHMS fell way short of their goals to raise the massive amount needed.
The ultimate answer to their quest came from an unexpected direction. Col. John Porter and his wife, Helen, had moved to an 8-acre parcel on Midland Road in 1945. He was fascinated with the Old West and after selling his Inland Oil Company in 1965, devoted himself to fashioning his “Poway Village” as the future center of what he envisioned—a town with a frontier feel like “Old Scottsdale” in Arizona.
Poway Historical and Memorial Society charter members Dolora Powers and Jo Toone at the museum’s opening in 1992.
In 1966, he acquired an 1878 Baldwin locomotive and added a half mile of narrow-gauge railroad track around the property, a collection of false-front buildings that was a staging ground for the Poway Posse’s “bank robberies” and “gunfights”. A barber shop, a series of restaurants and Helen’s antique store were among businesses located on the property.
After John died in 1979, Helen continued to operate the Village on her own. Then, in 1989, she decided to sell the property, including the train, to the City of Poway. As Old Poway Park, with an emphasis on the past, it was a logical and affordable location for the Poway Heritage Museum to finally take shape. There was ample space in an existing building.
The move-in was completed in 1992, with assistance from the city. The Nelson House, relocated from Garden Road when the land it sat on was developed, became part of the society’s museum project.
Through the years dedicated rooms were added to showcase a post office and general store and a one-room school typical of the early 20th century. School tours were arranged for the museum and Nelson House.
We have that, and more. Now we can look ahead.
A Message from PHMS President Mary Shepardson
Welcome back. It’s been a rollercoaster ride for PHMS the past two years. And not just COVID-19 and the remodeling.
Meanwhile, the makeup of the board has changed a lot. There have been a number of resignations, including Jan Rubacky, who retired from her spot after many years involvement with PHMS. We were shaken by the death of Suzanne Emery, a short-time board member, but long involved in all things Poway.
A big change when Jeff Frye stepped down as president after 11 years, following his move to Arizona. He has been designated President Emeritus. Jeff has remained on the board and has returned monthly from his new home to lend a hand on a wide variety of projects.
Several enthusiastic new members have joined our board, bringing a new set of skills. We’ve managed to keep in front of the eyes of the public with articles and photos posted to our Facebook page and shared elsewhere.
Through the herculean effort by volunteers and board members, we’re up and running. We’re looking forward to expanding our schedule. We have, of course, a list of further improvements in mind. Stay tuned!
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