Kern Valley Museum, Kern County

About Kern Valley Museum

Kern Valley Museum in downtown Kernville preserves the rich social, cultural, and economic history of the Kern River Valley through spectacular displays. Visitors explore artifacts and exhibits interpreting pre-history, the Gold Rush, Native American heritage, movies filmed in the valley, the Forest Service, hydroelectric power, and local recreation history. Displays also feature the stories of cowboys and ranchers from the region. The museum operates as part of the Kern River Valley Historical Society, a volunteer-run organization celebrating over fifty years of operation in Kern County. A separate Research Annex across the street houses a substantial collection of books, documents, art, and photographs for researchers and genealogists. The museum is open Thursday through Sunday, while the Research Annex is open Tuesday and Thursday. General admission to both facilities is free.