Antelope Valley Indian Museum State Historic Park
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The Antelope Valley Indian Museum State Historic Park is a California state park situated on the Antelope Valley's rural eastside in northern Los Angeles County, California.
The museum represents Great Basin Native American cultures. The museum contains the combined collections of H. Arden Edwards and subsequent owner and anthropology student Grace Oliver. The exhibits represent and interpret American Indian groups, both aboriginal and contemporary, of the Southwest, Great Basin and Californian cultural regions. A number of the artifacts on display are rare or one-of-a-kind items.
The museum was originally constructed by homesteader/artist H. Arden Edwards in 1928. The chalet-style structure was built over an entire rock formation of Piute Butte in the Mojave Desert. The unusual folk-art structure, originally used as a home (and not at that time a museum) is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The museum offers the visitor a unique experience.
Note: the museum is closed in the summer months due to lack of air conditioning in the building. See the external link below for opening and closing dates - the museum is open yearly, but on a seasonal basis each year.
Layered clothing is advisable - especially for hikers - as a good number of winter mornings can be brisk, though the afternoons are many times quite pleasant in temperature.
Location - directions
The museum is located 19 miles east of the Antelope Valley Freeway (California State Route 14), at 15701 East Avenue M east of central Lancaster. Go East on Avenue K or Palmdale Boulevard and follow the signs to the museum. Alternatively, take Pearblossom Highway (California State Route 138) to the intersection of 165th Street East and travel North on 165th Street East (changes name to 170th Street East as you travel north to Lake Los Angeles) for 9 miles. Turn left (west) at Avenue M and proceed for approximately a mile and a half. The museum is on the right (north) side of Avenue M.
Latitude/Longitude: 34.7506 / -118.3583
Demonstrations and special events
Joshua Cottage features a "touch table" room where everyone, regardless of age, can experience food grinding and processing techniques. Or you can learn how earlier Native American groups started fires using sticks or bow drills.
Next to the museum is a self-guided nature trail, a picnic area and an outdoor ceremonial arena. Occasionally guest Native American groups perform traditional dances and other programs. There is an annual opening event each fall featuring a traditional ground blessing ceremony. There are also Native American artists demonstrating and selling their work, Native American food, and special activities for children. The museum also sponsors periodic educational seminars.
External links
Antelope Valley Indian Museum (http://www.parks.ca.gov/default.asp?page_id=632)