Wisteria Regale – “Mystery at the Banning Mansion”

IN CELEBRATION OF THE WISTERIA REGALE returning to the Banning Mansion, join us in playing the classic detective game, CLUE, with a Banning twist. In addition to solving the “Mystery at the Banning Mansion” you will also enjoy an elegant dinner, hosted bar, live music and a silent auction. The annual Wisteria Regale Scholarships provided... Read More

Victorian Christmas Weekend Celebration

Join us on Saturday, December 2 and Sunday, December 3 from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. as we kick off the holiday season in grand style at the Banning Museum’s Annual Victorian Christmas Celebration and Open House! Due to the generosity of our sponsors, event admission is FREE! Visitors will enjoy period entertainment, tours of... Read More

Holiday Cheer All Around at Victorian Christmas 2017

For over 30 years, each year during the first full weekend of December, we kick off the Holidays with Victorian Christmas. This year, over two days, thousands of visitors enjoyed a walk through of the decorated Mansion, trolley rides to the Drum Barracks, Santa Claus, children’s crafts in the Barn, a working blacksmith, food and... Read More

Volunteer Awards Dinner 2018

On Monday, June 4, we celebrated the wonderful volunteers who make this Museum what it is. We would not be where we are today without the service of so many who cherish this amazing place. Thank you to each and everyone of the volunteers who gave their time this year, over 10,000 hours logged for... Read More

Fashioning the Fan Exhibit

FASHIONING THE FAN – Harlyne and Kenneth T. Norris Visitor Center August 11, 2018 – January 27, 2019 The Victorian Era ushered in some of the World’s grandest national and international Exhibitions. These Exhibitions were held in major cities all over the world. They were meeting places for countries and people to display new ideas... Read More

Victorian Christmas Weekend Celebration

RAIN or SHINE! Join us on Saturday, December 1 and Sunday, December 2 from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. as we kick off the holiday season in grand style at the Banning Museum’s Annual Victorian Christmas Celebration and Open House! Due to the generosity of our sponsors, event admission is FREE! Visitors will enjoy period... Read More

“Shipwrecks of the California Coast” lecture by author Michael White

Saturday, January 12, 2019 11:00 am Banning Stagecoach Barn Please join us as we kick off our 2019 Keeping History Alive Lecture Series with a special presentation given by Mr. Michael D. White, a vocational maritime historian and researcher. Mr. White will be sharing anecdotes and images from his 2014 book, “Shipwrecks of the California... Read More

Educational Program Reservations

We are proud to again offer these Educational Programs for the 2019-2020 school year: Living History School Program (4th Grade) Banning Heritage Week (4th Grade) Evolution of a Town (3rd Grade) Please CLICK HERE to learn about our programs. We will begin accepting  Banning Reservation Forms on May 1, 2019 for the 2019-2020 school year. Limited Bus Grants are now available as... Read More

“California Confederates: The Curious Tale of the Schooner J. M. Chapman and the Knights of the Golden Circle”

Saturday, June 22, 2019 10:00 am Banning Stagecoach Barn In 1863, a group of California secessionists conspire to outfit a small schooner as a privateer, steal gold and silver shipments bound for the Union, and revitalize the increasingly cash-starved Confederacy. Join us for this fascinating lecture by Michael D. White, a vocational maritime and Civil... Read More

Victorian Mourning Lecture

Come join us as we explore social practices, superstitions, mourning attire, jewelry, and rituals practiced by Americans during the Victorian era. There will be a question and answer session after the lecture along with a walk-through of the Museum’s Victorian Mourning Exhibition. The Victorian Mourning Exhibition will be on display during regular tours from October... Read More

Iron Highway That Unified Our Country

Please join us as we recognize the 150th Anniversary of the “Golden Spike” at Promontory Point, Utah and learn how the Transcontinental Railroad transformed Los Angeles and our Nation. The lecture will be presented by lifelong railroad enthusiast, Jay Kelly with a question and answer session immediately following. Admission is free for Friends of Banning... Read More