Kern County Museum facts for kids
Beale Memorial Clock Tower at Kern County Museum
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| Established | 1941 |
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| Location | Bakersfield, California |
| Type | History museum |
| Collection size | 1 million+ |
| Visitors | 85,000 |
| Public transit access | GET Rt. 2 (Oildale) |
The Kern County Museum is an exciting history museum located in Bakersfield, California. It focuses on the amazing past of Kern County, California. Imagine stepping back in time! The museum has a special area called Pioneer Village, which is 16 acres (65,000 m2) big. It holds over 50 real buildings from the late 1800s.
Other cool parts of the museum include the Lori Brock Children's Discovery Center, the Black Gold exhibit, and Neon Plaza. The museum is officially recognized by the American Alliance of Museums. One of the most famous sights here is the Beale Memorial Clock Tower, right in front of the museum. This clock tower was first built in 1904. It was damaged in an earthquake in 1952 but was rebuilt at the museum in 1964.
Contents
Discovering Kern County's Past
How the Museum Started
The idea for the Kern County Museum began in 1929. The local Lions Club asked people to share old photos and stories about Kern County. Many people donated thousands of historical items.
In 1941, the county officially created the Kern County Museum. However, World War II delayed its opening until 1945. The museum first opened in a small part of the Kern County Chamber of Commerce Building. This building was on Chester Avenue, near the Kern County Fairgrounds.
Growing Bigger and Better
The museum quickly became very popular. It needed more and more space for all its exhibits. By 1952, the museum had grown so much that it took over the entire Chamber of Commerce building!
Later, the old fairgrounds next to the museum became the site for Pioneer Village. The fairgrounds moved to a new spot in South Bakersfield. Over time, more exciting additions were made. These included the Lori Brock Children's Discovery Center and the Black Gold exhibit. The museum is also part of the North American Reciprocal Museums program.
Explore the Museum's Exhibits
Pioneer Village: A Step Back in Time
Pioneer Village is a special area with more than 50 historic buildings. These buildings show what life was like in Kern County long ago. They were brought here from all over the county. You can see a one-room schoolhouse, a church, a photography studio, a train station, and even a hotel!
The village also has old oil equipment, like a wooden oil derrick. There's also a pumping unit with six wooden pumps. The buildings are set up to look like a real old town. You can also see cool old neon signs that were collected from around the county. These signs are being fixed up and put on display.
Black Gold: The Story of Oil
The Black Gold exhibit teaches you all about Kern County's oil industry. It opened in 2002 and covers a large area, both inside and outside.
In this exhibit, you can pretend to travel under the sea in a diving bell. You'll learn how oil is formed deep underground. You can also explore how oil is found, collected, and turned into many products we use every day. Listen to an "old-timer" tell you about the dangers of asphaltum mining!
Neon Plaza: Bright Lights of the Past
Neon Plaza is an outdoor area where you can see restored neon signs. These signs once belonged to old restaurants, stores, and shops from Kern County. It's a fun place to see bright, colorful history. This area is also used for special events and parties.
Other Amazing Displays
The main museum building has changing exhibits. It's located in the original Chamber of Commerce building from 1929. This is the only historic building that has always been in its spot. All the other buildings were moved here later. The museum has over one million items in its collection! These items are rotated through the building for different themed displays.
The Lori Brock Children's Discovery Center is a museum just for kids! It opened in 1976 and is designed for hands-on fun. Kids can touch and explore the exhibits. Like the main building, its exhibits also change regularly. The center has three exhibit rooms, each with a different exciting theme.
