Parks & Facilities

Harrison Exhibit Center

The Harrison Exhibit Center is staffed by volunteers Monday and Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. It currently houses the John Swisher, McGinnis, Otwell and Old Town collections.

Find the history of Hesperia back to the Stone Age on display. View the history of Native Americans, the railroad, early settlers and civic groups.

HARD Foundation Director, Gary “Griz” Drylie, is on hand by appointment on the first Saturday of each month. Griz is a local historian who is fond of talking with classes and people in general.

Come on by and see the history of Hesperia and the Victor Valley!

Volunteer Docents Needed!

CLICK HERE for a volunteer application form.

Join Hesperia’s Historic Preservation Group on Facebook where HARD Foundation Director, Griz Drylie, regularly posts videos, photos and more.

Junior Historian Workbook

Choose your grade-level-appropriate Junior Historian Workbook to learn more about Hesperia’s history! After completing the activities, become a Junior Historian by taking the pledge with an educator or the Museum Curator.

Download the PDF:

Junior Historian Workbook K-6
Junior Historian Workbook Grades 7-12

Geocache Boxes

The Hesperia Museum has installed Geocache boxes at historic sites and places of historic interest throughout Hesperia. Please be courteous when visiting the site and, if appropriate, step into the business to say hi. Thank you.

Donations and Sponsorships

The Harrison Exhibit Center is largely unfunded, and the work being done is possible through volunteers and donations. We appreciate your support!

Donations

An online donation method is in the works! In the meantime, donations can be made by cash in person at the museum or District Office; or checks can be written to:

HARD Foundation (Please indicate the donation is for the Harrison Exhibit Center in the memo.)
P.O. BOX 401055
Hesperia, CA 92340

Sponsorships

Sponsorship opportunities and total funding needed are listed below. Dedication plaques are available.

Models – $7,000 total 
Can sponsor individual models. Hesperia Hotel, Original School House with Bell Tower, Train Station, Walters Store, White Hotel, Hesperia 1st Water System Demo Model & Pipe Display
Presentation Area – $11,500
Canopy Framework, Expanded Fenced Area, and Shade Screen
Renovate Archival Room – $4,000
Work Table and Storage
ADA upgrades – $5,000
Computer and 27″ Display Monitor – $1,500 
Drone for Field Work – $2,000 • 11×17 Copier – $1,500 
Scanner for Negs – $600 
Folding Chairs for Presentation Area – $1,000 total
$40 Each
Projector & Screen for Off-Site Presentations – $1,000

Items for Purchase

Proceeds go directly to fund museum upgrades and programs and are available to purchase at the Harrison Exhibit Center.

Books – $20 
Video – $10 
Coins – $2 each 
Sponsor Bricks – Minimum $100

Items for Purchase

Proceeds go directly to fund museum upgrades and programs and are available to purchase at the Harrison Exhibit Center.

Books – $20 
Video – $10 
Coins – $2 each 
Sponsor Bricks – Minimum $100

Thank You!

The pictures below show the National Trails Monument and the 288-square-foot expansion of the outside presentation area, both made possible through monetary donations. We’d like to thank everyone who helped make these projects possible!

High Desert Writers Guild Presentation

Griz had the honor of doing a Zoom Presentation for the High Desert Writers Guild on how he came to write the Images of America – Hesperia book. He covered his background and the different things that came about to prepare him for a book that he had no idea he would write.