By TR Robertson
Thousands of people have visited the Bernardo Winery and the Winery Village Shops over the years, located in Rancho Bernardo, without knowing that an incredibly unique museum greets them at the entrance off Paseo Del Verano – The Rancho Bernardo History Museum. This small museum, sponsored by the Rancho Bernardo Historical Society, features beautifully designed displays, panels, video boards, artifacts, hands-on dioramas, and a full-sized operational replica Mud Wagon Stagecoach.
The Historical Society of Rancho Bernardo began in 1982, started by dedicated community members who wanted to collect, preserve, and display artifacts from the early days of the Rancho Bernardo area from the arrival of Native Americans to the area up to the development of the Rancho Bernardo community and beyond. Needing a place to display many of the artifacts donated and purchased, the Rancho Bernardo Museum opened its doors in 2005. Through a variety of Education Programs, the Society and Museum continues to educate about the past and its importance to what exists today.
The Museum is open Friday from 11-3 and Saturday & Sunday from 1pm to 5. Six docents volunteer at the Museum at various times to give visitors detailed information about all aspects of what you will see in the Museum. My guide for the day was Raenell Hooten who provided a wealth of information about the Museum and Rancho Bernardo. When you enter the Museum a turn to the left will start you on your journey for the development of this area beginning with displays and artifacts from the time the Kumeyaay people moved into the area over 2,000 years ago. One interesting display shows the many large boulders in the area that have wonderful pictographs from Indigenous people some over 1,000 years old. Most of the boulders are located on private land. Also along the wall is a long Rancho Bernardo Timeline of Historic Events along with pictures associated with major events listed. Traditional Kumeyaay pine needle baskets, pottery, along with other items such as a bow made from elderberry, quiver made from yucca and arrows made from willow displayed in glass cases surrounded by panels detailing the history of the first people to settle what is now called Rancho Bernardo. Moving on, you will see a replica U.S. Army uniform, swords and firearms from the Mexican War engagement that took place at Mule Hill, part of the Battle of San Pasqual. Additional panels detail the battle and the subsequent admission of California to the Union.
In one corner is a collection of antiques and implements that would be found in a General Store display, from the early 1900’s. Around the area is a variety of photos showing Rancho Bernardo through the years. Located on a back wall is a large T.V. screen you can scroll through showing veterans from Rancho Bernardo who have served in all branches of the armed forces. Above the screen is a panel honoring Rudy Matz, a former Poway resident who served in the U.S. Navy, during WW II, with honors and who took part in the Battle of Midway and other engagements. Just across from this in another wall area are several large paintings by Stanislaus Sowinski, an artist from Rancho Bernardo.
All these panels, dioramas and displays surround the main feature of the Museum, the Mud Wagon Stagecoach. This replica was constructed using a $25,000 grant from San Diego County. Wainwright Phil Ewing helped design the large wheels for the wagon and assisted Richard Thorpe and a number of other volunteers in the two-year project. Visitors are allowed to sit in the wagon and are encouraged to read the material available that detail the construction and the history of the Mud Wagon. The Mud Wagon, when operating as a stagecoach, would take passengers from the Escondido Hotel, in the late 1800’s, to New Town, in the San Diego Old Town area, ending at the Pickwick Theater. The 8-hour one-way trip cost $1-2, with lunch provided at the 20-Mile House outside of Poway. The Mud Wagon is still used for many community events.
Most do not know that the Rancho Bernardo Museum also has a diverse collection of newspapers, magazines and journals from the Bernardo News, Rancho Bernardo Journal, Rancho Magazine, Corridor News, Poway Chieftain, and other publications which can be accessed for research. Computers are also available to use to find out information about the Museum, Rancho Bernardo and a wealth of other information.
Along with stopping in the Rancho Bernardo History Museum, visitors to the Bernardo Winery should stop in the Winery Village Shops. The Shops are currently open Wednesday thru Sunday, most opening at 11 am except the Manzanita Roasting Company which opens at 9 am. This popular coffee shop is located right across from the History Museum. You can also see several olive trees that remain from 2,100 olive trees originally on the property that supplied olive oil to the San Diego Tuna Canneries. Other shops in the Village Shops include The Salon at the Vineyard, The Kitchen Restaurant, Icarus Art Studio and Gallery, V’s Gelato & Sweet Shoppe, Botanicals by the Sea, and several other businesses. As you wander through the beautifully decorated rustic walkways, heading toward the Bernardo Winery Tasting Room, history surrounds you with the Barrel Room filled with massive winery tanks once used at the winery as well as other winery equipment from the first winery, opened as far back as 1889. The Rizzo family purchased the winery in 1927 and continues to own and operate the winery, still using old methods of Italian winemaking as well as innovative technology for producing new varieties. The Bernardo Winery is the longest continually operating winery in San Diego County.
Make a day out of it and enjoy the peace and calm of the Bernardo Winery and Village Shops. They are located at 13330 Paseo Del Verano Norte, San Diego 92128. The web site for more information is www.bernardowinery.com.
For information about the Rancho Bernardo Historical Society or the History Museum go to www.rbhistory.org or call 858-775-5788. The History Museum is a non-profit organization and donations are accepted. The History Museum is open Fridays 11 am to 3 pm and Saturdays and Sundays 1 pm to 5 pm.
Cin Cin alla nostra salute!
