The Redlands Area Historical Society, Inc.
October 2026 Program
“Citrus, From Ancient Times to California’s Second Great Gold Rush and Beyond “
Presented by Tom Spellman
Tuesday, October 27, 2026
7:00 p.m.
Contemporary Club
173 S. Eureka Street
Citrus packing crate labels tell the story of the worldwide history of citrus, from ancient Silk Road times to the development of the billion-dollar industry in California that it is today. Horticulturalist Tom Spellman’s presentation uses art and advertising imagery to follow the trail from ancient times to the present.
Tom Spellman is a Southern California-based horticulturalist prominent in the fruit tree nursery industry since 1972. Spellman has specialized in the production, distribution and sales of avocado, citrus and other fruiting plants adapted to our southwestern climate. Spellman is also a citrus and horticultural historian and an enthusiastic collector of citrus packing crate labels and horticultural artifacts. You can view some of Tom’s horticultural videos on his YouTube channel: Growing with Tom Spellman https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5-8WiK7d8FWiOTl52GGibg
Join us in person or on Zoom <https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86119103957>
The program is free and open to the public and will begin at 7:00 p.m.
