16367 Main Street

(760) 244-5488

The Harrison Exhibit Center is staffed by volunteers Monday and Wednesday from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.  It currently houses the John Swisher, McGinnis, Otwell, and Old Town collections.  The history of Hesperia all the way back to the stone age is on display.  View the history of Native Americans, the railroad, early settlers, and civic groups.  

The first Saturday of each month, HARD Foundation Director, Gary "Griz" Drylie, is on hand by appointment.  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:

Click Here to join the conversation on Facebook!

Geocache Boxes

The Hesperia Museum is working on installing Geocache boxes at hstoric sites and places of historic interest throughout Hesperia.  Our goal is to install around 20 locations as we receive funds to buy the material for the boxes.  The cost of materials and installing each Geocache Box is about $60.  Each box will have a combination lock on it to hopefully maintain weather proofing of the item in it.  There is a signature book and a trivia card about the location.  You can take a card and or leave a trinket to share with others.  The combination can be found in the hints sect of the Geocache website for the location.  Once the box is unlocked, book signed, and an exchange of trinkets occurs, the responsible Geocacher will relock the box to maintain weather proofing of the contents for the next Geoccher.  We wish you a great time geocaching and sharing in Hesperia’s history!  Some of this Geocache Boxes may be near a Business. 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
• 11x17 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 Exhibitor 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!

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.

Enjoy a look at the history of Hesperia with Uncovered in the Archives - Episode 9: Headin' to Hesperia.

H.A.R.D. Foundation Member Gary "Griz" Dylie presenting Hesperia History to Excelsior Charter School...