Reviews of Antelope Valley Indian Museum State Historic Park (Museum)

Todd Hicks

The Antelope Valley Indian Museum is one of the most special historical places I have ever visited. A beautiful story, amazing artifacts, and great scenery. Next time I will take a picnic lunch or afternoon tea; to enjoy after touring the museum. There is an outdoor eating area with table and chairs. In addition to checking out the actual museum, we enjoyed taking a walk on the track that surrounds the property. The museum staff gave us a little leaflet about the surrounding area, which we could refer to as we walked around the track. The expansive views of desert landscape dotted with many beautiful buttes is breathtaking. I highly recommend a visit to this enchanting piece of history tucked away in the Mojave desert.

Working Man

Really worth seeing, amazing buildings that the archeologist Howard Arden Edwards built, starting with the home that he built using the natural outcropping of stones of the Butte. Most of the museum and displays are not allowed to be photographed, so this small amount of photos does not begin to do it justice. There are actual artifacts used by the ancient people, families, tribes, individuals. Everything is handmade. There are stories about events, and individual retellings, explanations, geology, archeology, sociology, etc. All of Edward's collection from the peoples "Indians" that he researched for more than 50 years, living and walking in the remote, desolate, open spaces, searching, digging, watching, learning. He explain that no humans inhabited what we now know as North America until a few ten thousand years ago. Everyone migrated from somewhere else, that lived in Antelope Valley. Interesting that there are actually no native humans to North America, and the "Native American" is actually a myth - a falsehood. Grace Oliver bought the property from Edwards in 1939, turned it into a museum, and then donated it to the Republic of California in 1979 (most commonly referred to as a State).

Kip Johnson

Hidden gem in Antelope Valley. Great for kids and adults alike.

Andre Vukich

Very educational

Jose Ortiz

Very nice historic site. Beautiful nature trail and views all around. Lots of artifacts to look at. Accompanied a school trip with a bunch of 2-5 year olds. Rangers and volunteers were a little impatient and short tempered with the kids.

Diana Howard

love the Museum have been there twice and would love to see what changes has been made or at least go up there and see it again. Lived in lake Los Angeles for 20 years and I love it ! Love the out doors of the desert!

Tina marie ae

Best time every,went to watch indian dances,food,amaxing artifacts.everytime it's different,fun.I give it a rating 9+

Tammy B

We had a great time. I learned a lot about the Native Americans from this area. The museum was incredible. Everyone should visit it.

Vincent D'Antonio

Great history of the Indians of the area. Very large collection of artifacts. People there are very knowledgeable and nice hiking trails.

Tereza Bravo

It was great very interesting. And beautiful out there.

nathan mcroberts

They charge you to go there without any sign saying so. It's more of a collection than a museum. They say there is a hike you can do. But there is really nothing on the hike to look at.

DonJesus Mr.Martinez

Awesome hidden gem of the Antelope Valley, we learned so much about our local history and have continued to learn something new every single time we revisit. I encourage all who want to be surprised with amazing facts and artifacts to join this adventure for all ages. Free for kids 12 and under and only $3 for adults. Ask about all the extra events throughout the year.

Linda Pettigrew

When you need a spiritual renewal... Go to A pow wow or this one... A spiritual renewal is the best reality check you will ever love..... AHOO!!!

Brett Weber

A cool house built into the hills boulders. A great place to learn about the native populations that lived near there.

Dee Penn Privett

Hidden in the Piute Butte's, in the Antelope Valley, Amazing. Be Ready to explore' Indoor /Outdoor Beauty. A Little hiking throughout, but worth it!!

Michelle Oliver

Very nice rangers full of knowledge

sandi Howard

Great little museum! What a hidden gem!

Debra Wilson

Out of the way but not too far, AVIM is a great little spot to visit. They hold a few funds raising events during the year, and I've participated as a vendor in their winter holiday one several years running. Great people, great place!

Patty Moore

It was hot today, and we still enjoyed ourselves.

Rebecca3138 Mosseri

Very interesting and charming. Worth the travel time for sure. Will definitely go back.

Michael Yudico

Great place to pass the time whith the family, the park rangers are friendly and give out history of the land. Just remember to take comfortable shoes if you want to go on a hiking trail they have.

Michael Young

Nice place to learn about Native Americans in California.

Ronald Leedham

Extraordinary collect of native American history

kjell olson

A little charm in the middle of no where. Kids enjoyed it, very educational.

Showne McBride

Good place

TheZsentient zsentient

Definitely worth visiting

Dave Sanders

I had 3 hours to kill in Lancaster. Googled local attractions, was between this and Art Museum in town. Easy to find, but a ways from city. 4 other cars while I was there (90+ mins). Perfect Dec. day. Got personal docent intro to this museum. Finished with the nature walk, grabbed some nice pics. Nice small historical park.

Juan Eduardo Ibañez

This is am amazing place to learn and feel the history of California and the native Americans who lived here. I strongly recommend to take the deviation to the museum. We visited with our children (3 and 6 year old) in our way back from Palm Spring to the Bay Area. Kids loved the experience. The visit was super well informed by the excellent guide. Really, a gem. Thanks !

Jacqueline Harris

Absolutely amazing ! So much history. Very well presented. Nice lady at the counter. Worth visiting.

Raul Guerrero

Amazing spot with lots of cool exhibits to see, $3 for adults, kids free

Angela Delatorre

Very cool displays, liked it better when it wasn't owned by government but still cool

Rohmah Wijayantini

Amazing place to wasting time with children

Patricia galasso

Great museum. Waaaay out there in the desert. cool though. Small

mirna Zaldivar Perez

(Translated by Google) It is a nice place (Original) Es un lindo lugar

Nase Rapos

I was one of the dancers at this beautiful event. The Park Rangers, Museum Workers, Vendors, and Facilitators were full of kindness. Blessings.

Evan Caulfield

Awesome experience and at $3 for admission well worth it!

george mccollum

Open Saturday/Sunday and tours and lectures are available by appointment. Again, this is a high desert area which means wind. CALL for appointments.

Carlos Miranda

Had a great time great staff

Richard Foulkes

Respectfully and beautiful.

Christine Christopher

Really neat museum with a lot of local history on display. Beautiful walking paths around the museum.

Morgan Terrinoni

Originally built as both a research center and house in the early 1930s, this place is well worth a visit. The structure alone is incredible - a tudor style house built literally on the rocks (part of the rocks make up the great room and stairway inside). Inside you'll find an incredible array of native american objects and artifacts, with commentary, mostly from one man's collection originally. The ceilings of the 'Kachina Hall' are covered in kachina style art and then climb up the natural stone stairway to the upstairs. More objects are upstairs as well. Simply spectacular place. Who knew?? After visiting inside, take a hike around the trails on the outside. Great views and dramatic geology.

Joseph Donahue

Very interesting history, including of the museum itself. The sort of eccentric place one might expect in Cali underpinned by scholarly archaeological research.

AmethystDabbingBudz Pimienta

This was an AMAZING place to visit

Katherine Williams

Outstanding

Jesus Torres

I recently went back to the museum and it was incredible the history this place with hold during the early industrial age of our young nation.

Steve Powell

First time visitor, and I have lived in SoCal for sixty five years. I enjoyed my time there.

Karla T.

Cool place!!

jayson beghtel

Very nice place, definitely very informative. And to think people used to live out in the antelope valley before Air conditioning. And traded with other native Americans as far as the coast.

T Mursee

Went for the first time on a field trip for my sons school. The great room is amazing with every inch covered in something for the Indians of the valley. The rock stairs and whole house are amazing. I would go again to slowly walk around and get a better look at everything.

Jacqueline Nichole Nicholson

Not what I expected. Small

Gerry Saenz

Tour guide was well-informed about the area.

Tye Lovett

Customer service is great. Lots to see. Beautiful trails. They have a gift shop. We enjoyed it. Kinda hidden but some of the best places to explore are.

Shina Parker

I learned a lot. Good place to take kids

vaishnavi gm

Beautiful museum

eevee

It was interesting and very informal

Teddy Die

Took me over 30 years to finnally visit but it was worth it. Took my children up there & we loved it. Will be visiting again.

Melody Cortex

It was amazing. Lots of things to see. There is a hiking trail. Bring comfortable shoes and clothes. Not that big but you do get tired

JESSICA FRIAS

Visited for the Antelope Valley 2018 Pow Wow. There were lots of vendors and the dancers were amazing! We will come again!

Yolanda Munday

Great enjoy that place

Patty Skinner

Nothing like it , LOVE it !!!!

Ann S.

It's a cool museum that was made with the mountains but it could have been alot better things inside and outside to see and alot better things that they have made could have been displayed

emilse loaiza

Love the place and the information thanks.

Paige Williams

AMAZING experience!! Must check out!

Ernestina Villa

I love the history

Phil Denny

This place is fab.... make the trip to the Indian Museum..... you won't regret it!

old cars 1971

The 2 people that I meet their were very nice people helped me a lot with my Boy Scout merit badge

Maria Rivera

Worth the time to come, pictures make no justice to this little place. It's only 3 dollars to get in and kids 12 and under are free. It's a two stories building, it's not big but it just has a lot to read and once you are inside it's another world. Simply beautiful.

Nona Yates

What a wonderful little hidden gem in the desert. Lots of history and surprisingly so much to see, their collections are pretty extensive. They have artifacts from Antelope Valley tribes, but also tribes from other areas. They also noted that they've removed any sacred and/or burial artifacts from exhibitions which is a good thing to do. The small staff is wonderful -- friendly, knowledgeable and very helpful, too. They have picnic tables outside, so bring a lunch and enjoy an expansive view of the desert and the snow-capped mountains in the distance.

Jess Hanebutt Snell

One of the more unique museums I’ve ever been to. The museum itself is part of the exhibit, very interesting. Amazing setting and architecture, I tend to bring all of my out-of-town visitors here. Eccentric and artsy.

Alfredo Villalobos

Really really nice

leticia centeno

AN AMAZING PLACE

Lori Erickson

It's ok. Most of the stores are expensive

Black Moon Phoenix

Outstanding

Vickie Williams

Love it

Hoshimi Ames

I learned a lot of history of American Indian culture. There's many details of history's description. Many art works are amazing. We stayed there for about 2 hours.

Marco Salazar

Great historical place!!!!

JC Christopher

Interesting and educational.

Kris Murrell

This is such a little gem in the middle of nowhere. Or at least it feels like the middle of nowhere. The staff is incredibly knowledgeable and friendly. The collection has a wonderful history. It is small but well laid out and information packed. Learn all about the native people of the Antelope Valley. We spent about an hour and a half just wandering through. It was s happy little surprise for a Sunday afternoon drive out in the desert.

Tina Sullivan-Myers

Fantastic collection of artifacts

lbhrulestheuniverse

So bizarre it is awesome. Great way to burn a few hours, see some very interesting architecture, and learn about early area history. Some amazing Ancestral Puebloan artifacts.

Derek Ames

Well preserved revived Museum. Artifacts showing that the Valley was crossroads of trade among tribes as well as documenting misunderstandings of early study of native American artifacts.

Rebecca Ponce

I was moved by this museum and enjoyed it very much but during my visit I'd get emotional, dont know why, maybe because Im a comanche descendant? Also I learned from Native Americans st my first and only PowWow they do not like being called Indians. They are First Nations becacuse they are first in this land.

Tania Bennett

Beautiful place with lots of items to look at and the building itself is very interesting

Teresa Leiker

Great to go back to my home town and go see the artifacts of the lndian museum

DubR C

It was beautiful☀ scenery. The 5 star rating is purely for the natural beauty and peaceful solitude you can experience as long as it is not during the hottest months

Mathieu Zhang

Very cool exhibits with artifacts from different regions.

Leah Ellias

Friendly, Fascinating and fun.

Maria Machuca

It was very educational

robamond

what an interesting place worth the visit if you are out that way

Collin Creates

Very nice museum.

Candi Hixenbaugh

Very educational!!

Francisco Contreras

Mountains, wind power and more Road I like to see and live in my city..East. Palmdale California 93591Arriba yeah beautiful because is highly in here thank everyone and have a goodnight...

Hector Mendez

Beautiful, historic place.

Maximiliano Oropeza

Nice inexpensive museum with a knowledgeable staff. More people should go

Katy McGuire

So surprised by the chalet style in the desert. Friendly staff, amazing natural setting. Even the bathrooms are historic. Take the nature trail for sure.

Karen Soto

Worth the drive, unique architecture