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 a fun history museum in Bakersfield, California. It teaches visitors all about the past of Kern County. Imagine stepping back in time!
The museum has a special area called Pioneer Village. It covers about 16 acres and has over 50 real buildings from the late 1800s. You can see what life was like back then. 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 for its quality.
One of the most famous sights at the museum is the Beale Memorial Clock Tower. It stands tall on the lawn right in front of the museum. This clock tower was first built in 1904 in the middle of a street intersection. It was sadly destroyed in an earthquake in 1952. But don't worry, it was rebuilt at the museum in 1964!
Contents
Museum History
How the Museum Started
The idea for the Kern County Museum began in 1929. A local group called the Lions Club asked people to share old photos, documents, and stories about Kern County's past. Many people responded and donated thousands of historical items.
In 1941, the county officially created the Kern County Museum. However, World War II started, so the museum's opening was delayed until 1945. It first opened in a small part of the Kern County Chamber of Commerce Building. This building was on Chester Avenue, near the fairgrounds.
Growing Bigger
The museum quickly became very popular. More and more items were donated, and it needed more space. By 1952, the museum had grown so much that it took over the entire Chamber of Commerce building!
The museum kept growing even more. The old fairgrounds next to it became the perfect spot for Pioneer Village. The fairgrounds had moved to a new location in South Bakersfield. Later, other exciting parts were added to the museum. These included the Lori Brock Children's Discovery Center and the Black Gold exhibit.
The Kern County Museum is also part of the North American Reciprocal Museums program. This means if you are a member of certain other museums, you might get free entry here!
What You Can See: Exhibits
The Kern County Museum has many interesting exhibits. They help you learn about the area's rich history.
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 moved from different parts of the county to create this village.
You can find almost every type of building from that time period. There's a one-room schoolhouse, a church, a photography studio, and even a train station. You can also see a hotel, a courthouse, and an assay office. The village also has old oil equipment, like a wooden oil derrick. There's even a pumping unit with six wooden pumps! All the buildings are set up to look like a real old town.
The village also collects old neon signs from around the county. These signs are being fixed up and put on display.
Black Gold: The Story of Oil
The Black Gold exhibit tells the story of Kern County's oil industry. It opened in 2002. This exhibit covers a large indoor area of about 9,640 square feet. There's also an outdoor area of about 2.3 acres around it.
At Black Gold, you can pretend to travel under the sea in a diving bell. You'll learn how oil is formed deep underground. The exhibit also shows how oil is found and brought to the surface. You'll discover how oil is turned into many products we use every day. You can even hear stories from an old-timer about the dangers of asphalt mining!
Neon Plaza: Bright Lights of the Past
Neon Plaza is an outdoor area where old neon signs are displayed. These signs once lit up historic restaurants, shops, and service places in Kern County. They have been carefully restored to look new again. Neon Plaza is also used for special events like parties and fundraisers.
Other Cool Exhibits
The main museum building has changing exhibits. It is located in the old Chamber of Commerce building, built in 1929. This is the only historic building that is still in its original spot. All the other buildings in Pioneer Village were moved there later. The Beale Memorial Clock Tower was also rebuilt in front of the museum.
The museum has over one million objects in its collection! Most of these items are shown in different exhibits throughout the year. The themes of the exhibits change regularly.
The Lori Brock Children's Discovery Center is a children's museum right on the grounds of the Kern County Museum. It opened in 1976. This center is designed to give kids hands-on experiences. Its exhibits also change often. The center has three exhibit rooms, each with a different fun exhibit for kids to explore.
