Antelope Valley Indian Museum State Historic Park
The Antelope Valley Indian Museum in Antelope Valley, California. National Monument is a state historic park in California, United States, dedicated to preserving and understanding Native American civilizations of the Great Basin and neighboring regions. A rural east side of the Antelope Valley in northern Los Angeles County, California.
The museum houses the combined collections of H. Arden Edwards and Grace Oliver, who later became the museum’s owner and an anthropology student. Native American groups from the Southwest, Great Basin, and Californian cultural regions are represented and have explained exhibits both include aboriginal and contemporary cultures. There are several objects on a show that are either uncommon or unique in some way.
Arden Edwards, a homesteader, built the museum in 1928 as a memorial to his parents. Piute Butte is a rock formation in the Mojave Desert, and the chalet-style house was constructed on top of it. Since its construction, the remarkable folk art structure was initially used as a residence near Palmdale, CA, and has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
There is a “touch table” room at Joshua Cottage where visitors can experiment with food grinding and processing procedures, as well as discover how earlier Native Americans ignited fires using sticks or bow drills, among other things. A self-guided nature trail, a picnic space, and an outdoor ceremonial arena are located just outside the museum’s doors. From time to time, visiting Native American organizations will conduct traditional dances and other activities. Every year in the fall, a traditional ground blessing ceremony is held as part of the annual opening celebration. There will also be Native American artists demonstrating and selling their work—native American food and special activities for the community’s youngsters. In addition, the museum organizes educational workshops regularly.
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