On Wednesday, May 22 at 11 a.m., the San Bernardino County Museum will host a grand reopening celebration at the Agua Mansa Pioneer Cemetery to showcase highly anticipated improvements, including drive repairs, landscaping and beautification, entrance monument, interpretive signage, gate replacement, and select headstone and gravestone conservation, as well as its official designation by the National Park Service (NPS) as a certified partner on the Old Spanish Trail.
The rehabilitation project also included funding for ground penetrating radar mapping of the entire site which will provide a complete map of all burials, a valuable tool for future researchers.
The historic cemetery’s transformations will be highlighted with a ribbon cutting ceremony showcasing the significant investments that will improve visitor experience, increase opportunities for learning and enjoyment, and ensure this historically significant site is protected and relevant for years to come. The celebration will run until 1 p.m.
The Agua Mansa Pioneer Cemetery is all that remains of the communities of Agua Mansa and La Placita. Situated across from each other along the Santa Ana River, they were the first non-native settlements in the San Bernardino Valley and the largest settlements between New Mexico and Los Angeles during the 1840s.
The Agua Mansa Pioneer Cemetery is located at 2001 Agua Mansa Road in Colton. The historic cemetery is open Sundays through Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Admission is free to the public.
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.
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