eastern california museum

Tseh3

I visited this museum about 15 years ago and enjoyed it then. It has gotten even better. Excellent exhibits on native peoples and local history. Clean and well appointed. Friendly, interesting, and helpful staff. The curator, Roberta Harlan, is great: both helpful and outgoing. Don't miss it.

892barbaras

Wonderful historical photographs of Native Americans, plus the most beautifully displayed collection of Native American baskets I've seen. They also have nice gifts, and a good amount of information of other sightseeing destinations in the area.

trishc614

Some of the most beautiful native baskets I've ever seen! Even if you're not an official history buff, this is a great stop on your way through.

Chuck8700

This may be a small museum, but they have excellent exhibits both inside and outside. Many old building have been moved to the grounds. Lots of old farm, water and mining equipment. Railroad exhibits too.

HTin

This is a potentially fascinating museum. Unfortunately our visit was spoiled by a very loud, youngish female volunteer on the reception who chatted loudly to other staff/ visitors for a great deal of our time there.

juliethegardener

The Eastern California Museum is chock full of old pictures, machinery, historical plaques and tomes. We love swinging in here. The docents are incredibly informative and more than happy to go out of their way to answer your questions. Thank goodness the museum knew where the County pet cemetery was!

paulb111

This place is a block off 395 and is a fantastic stop. I am sorry I have driven by a hundred times without stopping. Lady running it is wonderful. Book selection is the best.

avidhiker2

A statement in the museum is certainly accurate when I visited the Eastern California Museum, Independence, CA...the heart of the museum's collection is the basketry which is one of the largest exhibits of Owens Valley Paiute-Shoshone and Death Valley Panamint-Shoshone basketry in the Nation. From cradleboards, to bows and arrows, then highlighted by the awesome Paiute beadwork, this accessible museum in the Eastern Sierras was a delightful surprise. The exhibit includes more than 400 baskets and nearly 100 other, related artifacts of the Native Americans who occupied this region in by-gone days. Since the basketry is displayed in enclosed glass cases, you can view each handcrafted utilitarian piece from multiple angles.

;uvstogo

Hubby and I figured a quick stop to see this museum-as soon as we walked in our mouths dropped open! What an amazing place! The most fantastic Native American basket collection I've ever seen! And in perfect condition! But that is only one part, there are so many wonderful artifacts-it's like going to a mini-smithsonian! Don't miss it!

EclecticChooser

My wife and I stopped by this museum on a roadtrip. They have a large collection of native American baskets, whose workmanship and artistry are evident even if you are not interested in baskets. Lots of photographs and artifacts. Some of the minerals I had not even seem in the Smithsonian's collection. The dedicated staff are a national treasure in themselves, with fascinating information about the collection and local history. The tiny fee of a couple of bucks or so is a bargain.

r0bertfb

This is one of California's finest museums. This is a strong recommend! Allow several hours to explore not just the museum, but the "attic" out back!

DirtPig

If you want to stop while traveling along the 395 and learn more about the Sierra Nevada and Owens Valley, then make sure to stop by this free museum. It has exhibits indoors and outdoors, it's interesting, and worth your time. I recommend it!

BonnieA400

Wonderful collection of native american basketry and other artifacts, as well as a research library.

etrinity

This place is chock-full of information on this region, from the native Paiute tribe, to the Owens Vally water wars, to an excellent appendix to the Manzanar Nat'l Historic Site, to mountaineer Norman Clyde. They even had a native plant garden outside (though not very interesting to look at during the winter...CA native plants are best during the Spring).The entire museum is self-guided but the staff is glad to answer any and all questions, and they answered mine. They pointed out to the collection outside of "mining equipment, equipment used to build the L.A. Aqueduct, and some trains" though all that was clearly a work in progress since none of them had any signage or information.

Statia

I have driven through this town hundreds of times, and never stopped. I don't know why, perhaps just in a hurry to get to my northern destination. Folks, this is the place to stop and smell the roses! I will never look at this town the same way again after stopping at this museum this month. It is full of informative history of the region, with several exhibits indoors and out. There is a library, art gallery, and extensive basket collection of the local native Americans, just to list a few. I was pleasantly surprised by the comprehensive and visual displays of the museum. There is something here for the whole family, and I highly recommend it. I will be stopping again the next time I'm headed north, since I didn't have time to see everything the museum had to offer this go-round. Allow yourself an hour for a superficial visit...more time to get a better look. You won't be sorry, and there's nothing to lose! Admission is free!