The Kern River Valley Historical Society has been in operation for over 40 years. Our mission is to preserve and communicate the rich and colorful history of this region. To achieve these goals we have established the Kern Valley Museum in downtown Kernville next to the Post Office.
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Our March 25th General Membership Meeting Program—Historic Sites & Buildings Around the Kern River Valley
 
Al Price & Jayne Hotchkiss-Price will present a Power Point slide show titled “A Few Historic Sites & Buildings In or Near the Kern River Valley.”

Their Power Point presentation will visit many sites including the Rock Art at Painted Rock, Andy Brown’s Flour Mill & Store, Black Walnut Tree & Stage Stop, Mammoth Mine, The Old Stage Coach Route down Hooper’s Hill to Bodfish, South Fork & Scodie Schools (then and now), photos of the first teacher’s house in the Walker Basin, the Keyesville/Tilley Creek Massacre & much more valley history.

Along with the sites, they will discuss the mercury retort system of getting gold out of the rocks and discuss how to process gold ore.

So mark your calendar for March 25th at 7 pm at the Senior Center in Lake Isabella. Don’t miss it!  Bring a friend or two.
 

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!