January 27, 2020 Program: “Mentone-Crafton History: New Discoveries”

Marie Reynolds, a devoted Redlands area historian, will present “Mentone-Crafton History: New Discoveries” for the Historical Society on Monday, January 27th at 7:00 p.m. The meeting will be held in the Contemporary Club at 173 S. Eureka Street.

The Reynolds family once owned the property where the Crafton Retreat began in the 1870s. This connection and an inquisitive historical thirst led Marie to research Crafton, Mentone, and portions of Greenspot. Her eagerness for learning about local area history began decades ago.

For 18 years, Marie has participated with the Heritage Auxiliary of the Assistance League giving fourth grade tours of Redlands. She researched and co-wrote “Treasures in Hidden Neighborhoods” tours to fund raise for the tours.

Marie attended kindergarten at Mentone Elementary School. She graduated from Cal State University, Fullerton with a degree in Business Administration. She has been involved with education and students while living in an 1891 Victorian home with her husband and four children. She volunteered as a librarian at Mariposa Elementary School for 10 years. She has served on the boards for the Heritage Auxiliary, Redlands Council of PTAs and the Redlands Education Partnership Foundation.

Currently, Marie is a 20-year member of the Contemporary Club. For the last seven years she has acted as co-advisor for the Kimberly Juniors. For over a decade Marie has been a member of the Redlands Area Historical Society board and is newsletter chair. Attending the Mentone Area Community Association meetings, she became a board member a year ago.

The Historical Society meetings are free and open to the public.