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Dedicated to the preservation and promotion of the scientific, historical and cultural heritage of the Mojave Desert.
About the
Mojave River Valley Museum
The Mojave River Valley Museum is dedicated to the preservation and promotion of the scientific,
historical and cultural heritage of the Mojave River Valley.
Through the efforts of a group of interested residents, the Museum was founded in 1964 and established as
a nonprofit corporation in 1973. Donations of money, time and labor have resulted in the present Museum
facility located at the corner of Barstow Road and Virginia Way.
The Museum continues to operate through the efforts of its members and by donations from the public.
Mark Your Calendars!
47th Annual BBQ & Open House
May 11, 2013Take a Gander at the Mojave Desert West
Click here for the BBQ flyer
This year is our 47th Annual Museum BBQ and Open House. It was in 1966 that the Barstow Kiwanis Club led the Museum, Optimists and Lions clubs in having a BBQ to raise money to help build a Museum Building!
They did it and we have the building, and a few years later we doubled the size of it to over 4,000 square feet. We have been working to save the heritage of the Mojave Desert for future generations--mostly thanks to club support and our nearly 400 members and families. We are open every day from 11 am to 4 pm and we are free.
This year our theme is the West in the Mojave Desert: Several thousand years of American Indians, the New Mexican Old Spanish Trail , American Trappers, 49ers and other gold and silver seekers, pioneers, Desert Stations (ranches that helped travelers with food, bed and hay—see pages 3 and 6 for BBQ specials.
A highlight of the western theme will be a new edition of Lefty Baltazar’s Lucy Lane’s Reminisces of Calico, retitled Calico Memories and published by our Museum. It is beautiful book about a girl’s view of the rugged mining town, her married life with a miner, then as an elderly woman.
Come to the BBQ, bring the family and friends, revisit the West in the Mojave Desert, have a cool sarsaparilla, sit in the shade and relax a spell.
Call 760-256-5452 for information.
Native American Display
Nice and New-
Katie Boyd has revamped the Native American display cases on the east side of the Museum. How clean they look
with new signs and lettering. She put in up-to-date material and information. The displays are more professional.
Katie’s artistic abilities come through. Thanks, Katie, for all that extra work. Come in and look.
We meet on the first Wednesday of each month at 5 pm and everyone is welcome to attend. The next meeting is on December 5.
Exhibits & Archives:
The Museum houses a series of displays and exhibits that portray the history of the Mojave River Valley from the arrival of Father Garces in 1776 on through pathfinders, pioneers, miners, railroads and the present space program.
Our archive of local area newspapers dates back to 1911 and our photo collection contains over 20,000 photos.
Location & Directions:
We are located in Barstow at 270 E. Virginia Way at the intersection of Barstow Road and Virginia Way. Exit I-15 at Barstow Road, go north two blocks then turn left.
Click here for a map
Open everyday except Christmas from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is always free.
Preservation:
Join us in helping to preserve the heritage of the desert. Your membership and participation is always welcome.
Membership:
We have four levels of membership (see Membership Application). Membership benefits include receiving Desert Tailings, our monthly newsletter, participation in all field trips, and a 10% discount in our bookstore and gift shop.
Membership Application
General Monthly Meetings
Our General Meetings are at 7:00 pm at the Museum (270 E. Virginia Way) on the last Wednesday of each month except:
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July and August: Meetings are cancelled due to our hot summers.
November: Meeting is one week earlier than usual due to Thanksgiving.
December: Meeting is cancelled due to the Christmas Holiday.
Board Meetings:
Our Board Meetings are at the Museum on the first Wednesday of every month at 5:30 pm. All members are invited to attend.
Barstow, CA 92311
760-256-5452
e-mail:
mrvm@verizon.net
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