Reyes Adobe Days will bring back rancho era

By Stephanie Bertholdobertholdo@theacorn.com

BACK IN TIME—The Reyes Adobe in Agoura Hills has been fully restored and is open to the public. In celebration of the site, the city of Agoura Hills will host Reyes Adobe Days this fall. This fall, the city of Agoura Hills will pay tribute to California’s early rancho period with the inaugural Reyes Adobe Days scheduled for Oct. 14 through 16.

The three-day event coincides with the one-year anniversary of the historic Reyes Adobe. The home, which underwent extensive, historically-accurate renovations, is believed to be Agoura’s first home, built in 1850 by the Juan Francisco Reyes family.

Dale Sumersille, Agoura Hills’ recreation manager, said that the event will offer cultural and educational experiences for every family member.

“We planned Adobe Days to be extreme fun and entertainment for all ages, while also offering an appreciation and understanding of early California history,” said Sumersille.

The event will kick off with a senior luncheon and site tour for the afternoon of Fri., Oct. 14. Hay Fever, a rancho-themed dance for students in grades six through eight, will be held in the evening.

Saturday’s events on Oct. 15 start early with a morning parade that leads to the Adobe site, where early California music and dance will be featured, along with children’s games, pony rides and Native American crafts.

Several demonstrations will be conducted, including blacksmithing, rancho cooking, and adobe brick-making. Guided tours of the early 1800s home and barn will be held throughout the day.

Festivities will continue on Sun., Oct. 16 starting with an 8K run from Reyes Adobe Park. A pancake breakfast and a variety of equestrian-related activities will be offered at the Old Agoura Equestrian arena. In the afternoon, residents can either participate or just enjoy the Taste of the West Cookoff. The event will conclude with a concert in the park.

The Reyes Adobe Historical Site is one of the newest landmarks in California, said Sumersille. The home was furnished by the city of Agoura Hills to depict rancho life over several historical periods during the time of the Reyes family.

The barn was added to the property after 1940 and was converted into a public museum and education center to showcase artifacts and photographs of the families who lived on or near the rancho. Visitors learn adobe brickmaking in the barn.

Also on display are photographs of the rancho’s early residents and an historical timeline. The Reyes family descended from soldier Juan Francisco Reyes, who served on early expeditions to California from Mexico. Reyes later became the “alcalde,” or early mayor of Los Angeles, Sumersille said.

“I think it’s going to be a great event for the city,” said Ed Corridori, mayor of Agoura Hills. “The event will be a great, fun time for all the families in our city. That’s a wonderful thing.”

Sumersille said that 17 volunteer docents work at the historical site. Since the opening of the Reyes Adobe last year, nearly 3,500 people have visited the site, and over 550 students have participated in an educational program that brings history to life.

“Our Reyes Adobe Historical Site had a very successful year,” Sumersille said. “The site allows us to share the stories of the generations who have lived in the adobe home and helped settled the region for over a century.”

The adobe home and barn has been owned by the city of Agoura Hills since 1983. The city renovated the property into an educational and cultural center through grants from the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy, the Getty Foundation, and California State Park Propositions 12 and 40.

Officials estimate the cost of the event at about $30,000.

For more information about the event, call (818) 597-7361.