| Antelope Valley Indian Museum State Historic Park | |
|---|---|
 Museum from southeast | |
   | |
| Location | Los Angeles County, California, United States |
| Nearest city | Lancaster, California |
| Coordinates | 34°39′1″N117°50′56″W / 34.65028°N 117.84889°W /34.65028; -117.84889 |
| Area | 397 acres (161 ha) |
| Established | 1979 |
| Governing body | California Department of Parks and Recreation |
Antelope Valley Indian Museum | |
| Location | 15701 East Avenue M Lancaster, California |
| Built | 1928 |
| Architect | H. Arden Edwards Grace Oliver |
| NRHP reference No. | 87000509 |
| Added to NRHP | February 26, 1987 |
TheAntelope Valley Indian Museum State Historic Park is astate historic park ofCalifornia, United States, interpretingNative American cultures of theGreat Basin and surrounding regions. The park and its grounds are situated on theAntelope Valley's rural east side in northernLos Angeles County, California.
The museum contains the combined collections ofH. Arden Edwards and subsequent owner and anthropology student Grace Oliver. The exhibits represent and interpret Native Americans groups, both aboriginal and contemporary, of theSouthwest, Great Basin, andCalifornian cultural regions. A number of the artifacts on display are rare or one-of-a-kind items.[1]
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 theMojave Desert. The unusualfolk art structure, originally used as a home, is listed on theNational Register of Historic Places.[2]
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-guidednature trail, apicnic 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.
