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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17th ANNUAL HISTORY DAY CELEBRATION      

SATURDAY, MAY 18TH

Come one, come all to the History Day Celebration at the Kern Valley Museum where the whole family will have a lot of fun while learning about what life was like in the old west.  The Kern River Valley Historical Society goes all out for this one day celebration.  There will be many demonstrations of old west skills, and a lot of live entertainment, all free to the public--free admission, too.  How can you beat that?   So dig out your old western costumes, put them on, and join the festivities, or come as you are.  There will be many demonstrations of how to do old time skills--blacksmithing, gold panning, Dutch-oven cooking (with free samples), and quilting.  There will be butter churning demonstrations (with home-made bread with free samples). Branding, on wood with hands-on participation, will provide more free samples.  How many of you have ever seen butter being churned or wondered how horseshoes are handmade or are curious as to how to bake with a Dutch-oven?  Now is your chance to find out. 

The Early Day Gas Engine and Tractor Association guys will be at the museum with their “hit and miss” engines, a big saw powered by a hit and miss engine, and old tractors.  Many times, you go to a museum and see these old engines just sitting there and not running.  These engines are alive and running just like they did when they were new some 100 years ago.  It’s fun to watch the guys run these old engines. They know just when to add some water, squirt some oil, and change the speed of the engines to keep them putting along.  If you are really lucky, you’ll see them put a large flat drive belt on a spinning drive wheel to power the large saw blade.  I would not try that on a bet, but they make it look easy.  Don’t miss out on this spectacular show. 

There will also be free entertainment.  A guitar player, a harmonica player, the Jazz Tones, western music, a Nunni Cunni talk, and more.  There are free refreshments, too.  Pink lemonade, cookies, and samples from Dutch oven cooking which include fresh rolls, main dishes, and desserts, along with that fresh churned butter and bread will be available.

This is the Historical Society’s way of saying thank to the people of the Kern River Valley for your support of the museum.  We hope you drop by and join the fun.  There is a lot to do and see.  All demonstrations, entertainment, and treats are free and, as always, admission is free. The museum will be open from 9AM to 5PM for History Day, Saturday, May 18th.  Mark your calendar and we’ll see you at the Kern Valley Museum next to the post office at 49 Big Blue Road, Kernville, California.  Any questions concerning History Day?  Call us at (760)376-6683 anytime from 10AM to 4PM Thursday through Friday.

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!





 

 

Location

49 Big Blue Road
PO Box 651
Kernville, CA 93238
(760) 376-6683
Hours:
10 am - 4 pm
Thursday - Sunday

Admission is Free

Contact us