The Kern River Valley Historical Society is celebrating over 50 years of operation! Our mission is to preserve and communicate the rich and colorful history of this region. The Kern Valley Museum in downtown Kernville, next to the Post Office, welcomes visitors to explore our rich history.

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Location

49 Big Blue Road
PO Box 651
Kernville, CA 93238

(760) 376-6683

 

** NOTICE **

AS OF MAY 20, 2021, THE MUSEUM WILL REOPEN!

SEE CALENDAR SECTION FOR MORE DETAILS.

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NEW HOURS, STARTING MAY 20:
11 am to 3 pm
Thursday through Sunday

We are regularly closed:
New Year's Day, Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.


Admission is Free

Please Donate

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What's Happening

KERN RIVER VALLEY HISTORICAL SOCIETY IS THRILLED TO ANNOUNCE

THE MUSEUM IS OPEN AGAIN

THE NEW HOURS ARE
11 AM TO 3 PM
THURSDAY  THROUGH  SUNDAY 
 
FURTHER DETAILS WILL BE POSTED HERE
AND  AT "KERN VALLEY MUSEUM" ON FACEBOOK
LOOKING FORWARD TO SEEING YOU SOON!

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 POSTER FOR THE LAST DRIVE-IN MOVIE   

 

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The following letter, from the California State Library in Sacramento, was received in 2019.

Museum Supporters deserve to be very proud !

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California State Library

California History Room

June 17, 2019

 

Dear Ron Anderson,

Greetings from the California State Library. We are writing to express our heartfelt thanks for all of your hard work for California in general and for Kern County in particular. Without the efforts of organizations such as the Kern Valley Museum, local residents would lack a sense of community and shared past.

In the spirit of celebrating a job well done, we have selected Kern County as the California History Section’s County of the Month, featuring your organization in the accompanying documentation. This distinction highlights organizations involved in local cultural preservation and outreach, as well as the varied local history resources available to researchers at the State Library.

If you wish to see the documentation for these acknowledgements and others, it is available on this website: http://www.library.ca.gov/california-history/county-month/. Thank you again for all of your hard work.

 

Sincerely,

Elena Smith, Librarian

California History Room

California State Library

 

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STOP AT THE GIFT SHOP! 

(But please don't shop til you drop :-)

 

A tiny part of the Gift Shop's selections, which include books on the area, maps, western wear and accessories, hats of all kinds, exquisite handmade baskets, jewelry, many more too numerous to list  

2018 Whiskey Flat Parade

The Kern Valley Museum houses artifacts from prehistoric times to the present.  We have a large geological and fossil exhibit, mining and ranching artifacts, an interactive history of the Edison hydroelectric plants, exhibits of the movie-making history of the area and construction of the Isabella Dam.


There are thousands of photographs of the early settlers, miners, cowboys and Indians.

Our wonderful back porch and yard are home for a 1925 Graham Truck, covered wagon and the Stagecoach John Wayne rode while filming scenes of “Stagecoach” in our Valley.

We also have a giant stamp mill used to render gold-bearing ore to powder, a working assay office, blacksmith shop and a restored and furnished 100 year old cabin.


In the 1850’s, Gold Fever gripped the nation. The Kern River Valley was part of the gold rush that spurred the westward migration of fortune seekers who became ranchers, farmers and merchants when the gold played out.

The Museum stands rich in history.  Come and discover the treasures it holds!