Agoura Hills creates wish list for restoring the Reyes Adobe





The city of Agoura Hills has created a wish list of period items it would like to acquire for the Reyes Adobe Historical Site in Reyes Adobe Park, near Reyes Adobe Road and Thousand Oaks Boulevard. The items will be displayed at the Adobe to reflect California rancho living in the early 1800s.


Needed items include: rope frame bed, straw bed, hide cot, dressers, wooden chairs, tables, lamps, fireplace irons, toys, cradle, kitchenware (baskets, stone bowls, coppers pots, utensils), blankets, rugs, hides, bed rolls, washbowls and pitchers, chamber pots, candles, toiletries, Native American goods, musical instruments of the era (especially a guitar), Catholic religious items and pictures.


For outdoors and the barn, the city would like to obtain a bench, saddles, blankets, tack for horses, and branding irons.


"We are hoping to recreate the home just as it was from 1830 to 1900. The Reyes family were simple people and friendly ranchers," said Dale Sumersille, the city’s recreation manager, who is heading up the project. "They had a guest room for taking in travelers, including padres, and were known for hosting an annual local rodeo."


In 1994, the Adobe sustained major earthquake damage. The city is presently restoring the home and barn to original condition with funding from the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy, the Getty Museum and State Park Propositions 12 and 40.


Once restored, visitors to the Reyes Adobe "will be able to visualize the beauty of a bygone era from its front porch." It is the oldest home in the Agoura area and is documented in the Library of Congress.


The Reyes Adobe will join other ranchos in Los Angeles and Ventura counties that help preserve early California history for educational and public programs.


In addition to acquiring the actual items for displays, the city of Agoura Hills would "gratefully accept donations to purchase the needed artifacts." The opening of Reyes Adobe is scheduled for this fall.


For more details on the wish list or to make a donation, call Sumersille at (818) 597-7323 or send an e-mail to dsumersille@ci.agoura-hills.ca.us.



Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *