Lopez Adobe - Funding and Operation As A Museum

Funding and Operation As A Museum

The building was restored between 1974 and 1975 and opened as a historical site in 1975. The adobe is operated by the San Fernando Historical Site and Preservation Commission. Funding difficulties hampered the city's plans to fully renovate the property and to operate it as a full-time museum and tourist attraction. The adobe was operated by volunteers, and was initially open only three days a week. That was later reduced to one Sunday per month. In 1983, the adobe's volunteer curator, Carolyn Riggs, noted: "Unfortunately, the city is so small that it can barely support its school, fire and police systems. There's just no money to support it except for what we have scraped together."

In 1982, more than 100 descendants of the Lopez family gathered at the adobe to celebrate its 100th anniversary. Geronimo and Catalina Lopez had thirteen children, nine of whom survived to adulthood.