Historical Society Looks to Bright Future for Storied Past

John Forbing knows well that Diamond Bar has a long history. The former city mayor had much of it stored in his garage.

But with the , the city's historical society will get a new home and new storage space for the documents that have been shuttled between Forbing's garage, , and a s.

Forbing, who founded the historical society while on the city council, said that the organization once had office space in a mobile unit behind the offices at , where donations could be accepted and materials could be filed, read, and viewed comfortably.

Having a space, Forbing said, allowed for better access to the information but also to donors of historical items.

"Now," Forbing said, "people don't donate often."

In recent months, Forbing said he has seen new interest in the organization, which comes just in time to prepare for the opening of a new space likely to occur around early 2012.

"I have four people that have contacted me that are just waiting to get involved," Forbing said.

The new library will take cues from the history of Diamond Bar as well, with .

Forbing hopes the new space will create greater interest in and access to the documented history of the city and the land.

"There's stuff most people don't know anything about," Forbing said, "and it's important to know how far we've come."

Forbing said the historical society has also been collaborating with the city's Public Information Department to work on project to collect stories of Diamond Bar past.

For information about how to donate historical items or to share a story about Diamond Bar history on videotape, visit the city's web page about the project.

Editor's note: Diamond Bar Patch also collaborates with the historical society to compose a written by the Secretary of the Diamond Bar Historical Society, .