List of museums in the Inland Empire facts for kids
The Inland Empire is a big area in Southern California, located right next to Los Angeles. It covers a huge space, more than 27,000 square kilometers (about 10,400 square miles)! This region includes Riverside County and San Bernardino County, and over 4 million people call it home.
The Inland Empire has many awesome museums. These are places that collect and take care of interesting objects. They can be about art, science, history, or culture. Museums let you see these collections and learn new things. This list includes art galleries from non-profit groups and universities too. We won't be talking about museums that only exist online.
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Explore Museums in the Inland Empire!
The Inland Empire is packed with cool places to visit and learn. Here's a look at some of the museums you can explore!
Fun for All Ages: Children's and Science Museums
These museums are perfect for hands-on learning and discovering the world around you.
- Big Bear Discovery Center (Fawnskin, San Bernardino County): Learn about the natural history of the San Bernardino National Forest. It's a great place to start your outdoor adventures!
- Children's Discovery Museum of the Desert (Rancho Mirage, Riverside County): A fun place for kids to explore and learn through play.
- Chino Youth Museum (Chino, San Bernardino County): Another fantastic museum designed just for young people to discover and have fun.
- Desert Discovery Center (Barstow, San Bernardino County): Explore the natural history of the desert environment.
- Fingerprints Youth Museum (Hemet, Riverside County): This museum, once called KidZone, offers exciting exhibits for young visitors.
- Goldstone Deep Space Communications Complex (Barstow, San Bernardino County): Take a tour and visit the museum to learn about huge radio telescopes and the wonders of space!
- Jurupa Mountains Discovery Center (Jurupa Valley, Riverside County): This non-profit center is all about earth science for families. It has the Ruth and Sam Kirkby Earth Science Museum.
- Pennypickle's Workshop (Temecula, Riverside County): Also known as the Temecula Children's Museum, this is a super interactive place for kids to learn and play.
- Western Science Center (Hemet, Riverside County): Discover amazing Native American artifacts, Ice Age fossils, and learn about archaeology and paleontology.
Step Back in Time: History Museums
Journey into the past at these museums, learning about local life, old towns, and important events.
- Agua Caliente Cultural Museum (Palm Springs, Riverside County): Explore the rich history and culture of the Agua Caliente and other native peoples.
- Agua Mansa Pioneer Cemetery (Agua Mansa, San Bernardino County): This historic cemetery is a branch of the San Bernardino County Museum. It tells the story of a pioneer ghost town.
- Big Bear History Museum (Big Bear City, San Bernardino County): Learn about the history of the Big Bear Valley area.
- Cabot's Pueblo Museum (Desert Hot Springs, Riverside County): This unique historic house is built in the Hopi pueblo style, with 35 rooms, 150 windows, and 65 doors!
- Calico Early Man Site (Barstow, San Bernardino County): See where scientists have found very old stone tools from the Pleistocene era.
- Calico Ghost Town (Calico, San Bernardino County): This is a fun ghost town that used to be a silver mining town. You can see old buildings, a school, and a museum about mining history.
- California Citrus State Historic Park (Riverside, Riverside County): The visitor center here has a museum showing how citrus fruits came to America and how the navel orange became important in Riverside.
- California Route 66 Museum (Victorville, San Bernardino County): Learn all about the famous Route 66 and how cars changed American life.
- Chaffey-Garcia House/Museum (Rancho Cucamonga, San Bernardino County): A historic house operated by the Etiwanda Historical Society.
- Coachella Valley History Museum (Indio, Riverside County): This museum shows local culture and history. It includes an old adobe house, a 1909 schoolhouse, and a Date Museum!
- Colton Area Museum (Colton, San Bernardino County): Learn about the history of the Colton area.
- Cooper Museum (Upland, San Bernardino County): Discover the local history of Upland.
- Corona Heritage Park & Museum (Corona, Riverside County): This park and museum cover local history, art, and culture.
- Daggett Museum (Daggett, San Bernardino County): See old American collectibles, railroad items, and learn about Navajo code-talkers from WWII.
- Estudillo Mansion (San Jacinto, Riverside County): Visit this late 19th-century home of San Jacinto's first postmaster and second mayor.
- Fontana Historical Society Museum (Fontana, San Bernardino County): Explore the history of Fontana.
- Gilman Historic Ranch and Wagon Museum (Banning, Riverside County): See a late 19th-century ranch house and a collection of old wagons and saddles.
- Goffs Schoolhouse (Goffs, San Bernardino County): This restored one-room schoolhouse has displays about local history.
- Hemet Museum (Hemet, Riverside County): Learn about the history of Hemet.
- Heritage House (Riverside, Riverside County): This beautiful 1891 Victorian house is now a museum, run by the Museum of Riverside.
- Hi-Desert Nature Museum (Yucca Valley, San Bernardino County): Discover the art, nature, and culture of the desert areas.
- Historical Society of Palm Desert Museum and Archives (Palm Desert, Riverside County): Learn about the history of Palm Desert.
- Idyllwild Area Historical Society Museum (Idyllwild, Riverside County): Explore the history of the San Jacinto Mountain communities.
- Jensen Alvarado Ranch (Jurupa Valley, Riverside County): Visit this ranch to see what local life was like in the 1880s.
- John Rains House (Cucamonga, San Bernardino County): Also known as Cucamonga Rancho, this mid-19th-century house is a branch of the San Bernardino County Museum.
- Kelso Depot (Kelso, San Bernardino County): This old railroad depot is now a visitor center for the Mojave National Preserve, with exhibits on railroads and local history.
- Keys Desert Queen Ranch (Joshua Tree National Park, San Bernardino County): Explore historic ranch buildings inside Joshua Tree National Park.
- Kimberly Crest (Redlands, San Bernardino County): A beautiful French château-style Victorian mansion.
- La Quinta Museum (La Quinta, Riverside County): Features local and traveling exhibits about art, history, and culture.
- Lincoln Memorial Shrine (Redlands, San Bernardino County): A special shrine and museum dedicated to President Abraham Lincoln.
- McCallum Adobe-Cornelia White House Museum (Palm Springs, Riverside County): Two old houses from the late 19th century, run by the Palm Springs Historical Society.
- Mission Inn Museum (Riverside, Riverside County): Learn about the cultural history of the famous Mission Inn.
- Mojave River Valley Museum (Barstow, San Bernardino County): Discover the history, culture, and nature of the Mojave River Valley.
- Mountain History Museum (Lake Arrowhead, San Bernardino County): Operated by the Rim of the World Historical Society, this museum shares local history.
- Mousley Museum of Yucaipa History (Yucaipa, San Bernardino County): Learn about the history of the Yucaipa Valley.
- Needles Regional Museum (Needles, San Bernardino County): Explore the local history of Needles.
- Oak Glen School House Museum (Yucaipa, San Bernardino County): Visit this historic schoolhouse museum.
- Old Fire Station Museum (Yucaipa, San Bernardino County): See old firefighting artifacts from the U.S. Forest Service.
- Old Guest House Museum (Trona, San Bernardino County): This open-air museum has exhibits on local mining and Native Americans.
- Old Schoolhouse Museum (Twentynine Palms, San Bernardino County): Displays about local Indians, miners, cowboys, and homesteaders, plus historic school items.
- Original McDonald's Restaurant Museum (San Bernardino, San Bernardino County): Visit the site of the very first McDonald's restaurant, opened in 1940! See memorabilia from McDonald's and Route 66.
- Palo Verde Valley Historical Museum (Blythe, Riverside County): Learn about the history of Blythe and the surrounding Palo Verde Valley.
- Perris Valley Historical Museum (Perris, Riverside County): Located in the historic Perris Depot, this museum covers local history.
- Redlands Historical Museum (Redlands, San Bernardino County): A planned museum about the history of Redlands.
- Rialto Historical Society Museum (Rialto, San Bernardino County): Displays include a turn-of-the-century home, a citrus exhibit, a military display, and an old doctor's office.
- Ruddy's General Store Museum (Palm Springs, Riverside County): Step back in time to a 1930s general store, complete with original items.
- Salton Sea History Museum (Mecca, Riverside County): Learn about the history of the Salton Sea.
- San Bernardino County Museum (Redlands, San Bernardino County): This big museum covers cultural and natural history. It also runs many smaller branch museums.
- San Bernardino de Sena Estancia (Redlands, San Bernardino County): A restored ranch outpost of Mission San Gabriel Arcángel, with a chapel. It's a branch of the San Bernardino County Museum.
- San Jacinto Museum (San Jacinto, Riverside County): Discover the natural and human history of San Jacinto and nearby areas.
- San Timoteo Canyon Schoolhouse (Unincorporated, Riverside County): A historic schoolhouse in San Timoteo Canyon.
- Searles Valley History House (Trona, San Bernardino County): This historic house is furnished to look like it did in the 1920s.
- Southern California Railway Museum (Perris, Riverside County): Ride a heritage railroad and learn about Southern California's railroad history.
- Sunnylands (Rancho Mirage, Riverside County): This historic mansion was once the winter home of Walter and Leonore Annenberg.
- Temecula Valley Museum (Temecula, Riverside County): Explore the local history of the Temecula Valley.
- Victor Valley Museum (Apple Valley, San Bernardino County): A branch of the San Bernardino County Museum, focusing on local history.
- Western America Railroad Museum (Barstow, San Bernardino County): Learn about railroads in Western America.
- Yorba-Slaughter Adobe (Chino, San Bernardino County): A branch of the San Bernardino County Museum, this historic house includes a post office/general store exhibit about agriculture.
- Yucaipa Adobe (Yucaipa, San Bernardino County): This historic adobe building is a branch of the San Bernardino County Museum.
Soaring High: Aviation and Military Museums
Explore the history of flight and military service at these exciting locations.
- 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment Museum (Fort Irwin, San Bernardino County): Learn about the history of the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment at the Fort Irwin National Training Center.
- General Patton Memorial Museum (Chiriaco Summit, Riverside County): This museum honors veterans and features military equipment, uniforms, weapons, tanks, and items from General Patton's life.
- Inland Empire Military Museum (San Bernardino, San Bernardino County): See military items from WWII, Korea, and Vietnam. It's located next to the first McDonald's!
- March Field Air Museum (Riverside, Riverside County): Right next to March Joint Air Reserve Base, this museum has historic military and civilian aircraft.
- P-38 Museum (Riverside, Riverside County): Learn about the history of the Lockheed P-38 Lightning airplane from World War II. It's located on the grounds of the March Air Museum.
- Palm Springs Air Museum (Palm Springs, Riverside County): This museum specializes in World War II aircraft and aviation history.
- Planes of Fame Air Museum (Chino, San Bernardino County): See an amazing collection of historic aircraft.
- Yanks Air Museum (Chino, San Bernardino County): This museum has a large collection of American aircraft, including World War II fighters and bombers.
Art and Culture Adventures
Discover beautiful artworks and learn about different cultures.
- Chaffey Community Museum of Art (Ontario, San Bernardino County): Operated by the Chaffey Community Art Association, this museum features various art exhibits.
- The Cheech Marin Center for Chicano Art, Culture & Industry (Riverside, Riverside County): This center showcases Chicano artwork collected by famous actor Cheech Marin.
- Edward-Dean Museum & Gardens (Cherry Valley, Riverside County): Explore European and Asian fine arts from the 16th to 19th centuries, set in a recreated manor house with beautiful gardens.
- Historical Glass Museum (Redlands, San Bernardino County): See examples of American glass art.
- Museum of History & Art, Ontario (Ontario, San Bernardino County): This museum covers the history, art, and cultural traditions of the greater Ontario area.
- Palm Springs Art Museum (Palm Springs, Riverside County): Features modern and contemporary American art, plus natural history exhibits.
- Riverside Art Museum (Riverside, Riverside County): This museum hosts over 20 exhibitions each year, showing both traditional and modern art.
- Robert and Frances Fullerton Museum of Art (RAFFMA) (San Bernardino, San Bernardino County): Part of California State University, San Bernardino, this museum has collections of Ancient Egyptian artifacts, world ceramics, and contemporary art.
- Sam and Alfreda Maloof Foundation for Arts and Crafts (Alta Loma, San Bernardino County): Includes a crafts gallery and the historic home and gardens of artist Sam Maloof.
- Sherman Indian Museum (Riverside, Riverside County): Learn about the history of the boarding high school for Native American students and Native American culture.
- Stahl Center & Museum of Culture (Riverside, Riverside County): Part of La Sierra University, this museum has an anthropology collection.
- UCR ARTSblock (Riverside, Riverside County): Part of the University of California, Riverside, this interactive art facility includes the California Museum of Photography, Sweeney Art Gallery, and Barbara and Art Culver Center of the Arts.
- Walter N. Marks Center for the Arts (Palm Desert, Riverside County): Part of College of the Desert, this center has three art galleries.
- Wignall Museum of Contemporary Art (Rancho Cucamonga, San Bernardino County): Part of Chaffey College, this museum focuses on modern art.
- World Museum of Natural History (Riverside, Riverside County): Part of La Sierra University, this museum has animal mounts, gems, minerals, meteorites, and American Indian artifacts.
- Ya'i Heki' Regional Indian Museum (Perris, Riverside County): Located in Lake Perris State Recreation Area, this museum focuses on Native American history.
Unique and Quirky Collections
Some museums offer truly one-of-a-kind experiences!
- Beauty Bubble Salon and Museum (Twentynine Palms, San Bernardino County): See historic hair and beauty care items.
- Cabazon Dinosaurs (Cabazon, Riverside County): Visit giant dinosaur sculptures and a museum.
- International Banana Museum (Mecca, Riverside County): This museum has over 20,000 items related to bananas!
- Museum of Pinball (Banning, Riverside County): Get ready to play and learn about the history of pinball machines!
- Victorian Bridal Museum (San Jacinto, Riverside County): See wedding dresses and accessories from the Victorian era.
- World Famous Crochet Museum (Joshua Tree, San Bernardino County): This unique museum has a collection of crocheted items, located inside a recycled photo booth!
Other Notable Museums
- Harada House (Riverside, Riverside County): This house is a National Historic Landmark because it was part of a very important civil rights case in California. It's operated by the Museum of Riverside. As of early 2015, it was not yet open to the public.
- Joshua Tree National Park (San Bernardino County): The park's three visitor centers and the Black Rock Nature Center have exhibits about the natural and cultural history of the area.
- Jude E. Poynter Golf Museum (Palm Desert, Riverside County): Learn about the history of golf.
- Riverside International Automotive Museum CLOSED (Riverside, Riverside County): This museum closed in June 2016. It used to have exhibits on California auto racing and a large collection of Maserati cars.
- Riverside Sport Hall of Fame (Riverside, Riverside County): An outdoor display in Newman Park that celebrates the sporting achievements of people from Riverside.
- Route 66 "Mother Road" Museum (Barstow, San Bernardino County): See old cars and items related to the famous Route 66.
- Shryock Museum of Embryology (Loma Linda, San Bernardino County): Part of Loma Linda University School of Medicine, this museum has models and specimens for teaching about anatomy.
Defunct museums
These museums are no longer open:
- A Special Place Children's Museum, San Bernardino
- Heartland, California Museum of the Heart, Rancho Mirage
- Southern California Medical Museum, Riverside, which moved to Western University of Health Sciences in Pomona in 2015.
See also
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List of museums in the Inland Empire Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.