Antelope Valley Indian Museum State Historic Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Antelope Valley Indian Museum State Historic Park |
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Museum from southeast
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 Antelope Valley Indian Museum State Historic Park
Location in California
Antelope Valley Indian Museum State Historic Park
Location in the United States
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| Location | Los Angeles County, California, USA |
| Nearest city | Lancaster, California |
| Area | 397 acres (161 ha) |
| Established | 1979 |
| Governing body | California Department of Parks and Recreation |
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Antelope Valley Indian Museum
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| Location | 15701 East Avenue M Lancaster, California |
| Built | 1928 |
| Architect | H. Arden Edwards Grace Oliver |
| NRHP reference No. | 87000509 |
| Added to NRHP | February 26, 1987 |
The Antelope Valley Indian Museum State Historic Park is a special place in California. It helps us learn about the cultures of Native American people. These groups lived in the Great Basin area and nearby regions. The park is located on the east side of the Antelope Valley in northern Los Angeles County, California.
The museum holds many interesting items collected by H. Arden Edwards and Grace Oliver. Grace Oliver was a student who studied different cultures. The exhibits show us about Native American groups from the past and today. These groups came from the Southwest, Great Basin, and California areas. Some of the things you can see here are very rare.
The museum building itself is unique. It was built in 1928 by an artist named H. Arden Edwards. He was a homesteader, meaning he settled on land to live and farm. The building looks like a chalet, which is a type of house often found in mountains. It was built right over a rock formation called Piute Butte in the Mojave Desert. This special building was once a home. It is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This means it is an important historical site.
What Can You Do at the Museum?
Hands-On Activities and Learning
At Joshua Cottage, there is a "touch table" room. Here, visitors can try out different activities. You can learn how early Native Americans ground and prepared food. You can also discover how they started fires using sticks or special bow drills. It's a great way to experience history!
Outdoor Fun and Events
Outside the museum, you can walk along a nature trail. This trail guides you through the natural surroundings. There is also a nice picnic area where you can eat. An outdoor ceremonial arena is also on the grounds. Sometimes, Native American groups perform traditional dances here. They also share other programs with visitors.
Each fall, the museum has a special opening event. It often includes a traditional ground blessing ceremony. You can also find Native American artists showing and selling their artwork. Traditional Native American food is sometimes available too. There are often special activities just for children. The museum also holds educational talks from time to time.
