Antelope Valley Indian Museum State Historic Park

Antelope Valley Indian Museum State Historic Park
Location	Los Angeles County, California, USA
Nearest city	Lancaster, California
Coordinates	34°39′1″N 117°50′56″W
Area	397 acres (161 ha)
Established	1979
Governing body	California Department of Parks and Recreation
Antelope Valley Indian Museum
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
Location	15701 East Avenue M Lake Los Angeles, California
Built	1928
Architect	H. Arden Edwards Grace Oliver
NRHP reference No.	87000509
Added to NRHP	February 26, 1987

The Antelope Valley Indian Museum State Historic Park is a state historic park of California, USA, interpreting Native American cultures of the Great Basin and surrounding regions. The park and its grounds are situated on the Antelope Valley's rural east side in northern Los Angeles County, California.

The museum contains the combined collections of H. Arden Edwards and subsequent owner and anthropology student Grace Oliver. The exhibits represent and interpret Native Americans groups, both aboriginal and contemporary, of the Southwest, Great Basin, and Californian cultural regions. A number of the artifacts on display are rare or one-of-a-kind items.

The museum was originally constructed by homesteader/artist H. Arden Edwards in 1928. The chalet-style structure was built over the rock formation of Piute Butte in the Mojave Desert. The unusual folk art structure, originally used as a home, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Demonstrations and special events

Joshua Cottage features a "touch table" room where visitors can experience food grinding and processing techniques, or learn how earlier Native Americans started fires using sticks or bow drills.

Outside the museum is a self-guided nature trail, a picnic area, and an outdoor ceremonial arena. Occasionally guest Native American groups perform traditional dances and other programs. An annual opening event each fall features a traditional ground blessing ceremony. There are also Native American artists demonstrating and selling their work, Native American food, and special activities for children. The museum also sponsors periodic educational seminars.

External links

• Official Antelope Valley Indian Museum State Historic Park website
• California State Parks: Antelope Valley Indian Museum website