Hours
Wednesday-Sunday: 10-4pm
Monday-Tuesday: Closed
Contact Us
11 Frontage Road
P.O. Box 430
Ocotillo, CA 92259
760-358-7016
July 6, 2018
Due to the West Fire in Alpine, please be aware that internet is down across the Imperial Valley, including at the museum. We are still open during regular hours (Wednesday-Sunday, 10am-4pm). However, there will be delays responding to emails and social media posts during this time. The best way to reach us for now is through our landline: (760) 358-7016.
Thank you for your patience and understanding
Our thoughts and best wishes to everyone effected by this fire and the brave firefighters working to contain it.
Hours of Operation
Wednesday-Sunday 10-4pm
Monday-Tuesday Closed
Admission: $5
We are currently waiving the admission fee during the development of our Phase 3: Geology Exhibit. However, we are accepting donations to allow us to continue providing exceptional events, programs, and exhibits that focus on preserving, interpreting, and celebrating the deserts of Southern California.
Welcome!
The Imperial Valley Desert Museum is a new facility in the heart of the Yuha Desert housing Native American and historic artifacts found within the Imperial Valley. Opening a new museum in the twenty-first century, we do not want to be seen as an exhibit within four walls, but to engage and interact outside of the limitations of the "box", our new building, both metaphorically and physically.
Preserve, Interpret, Celebrate
- The mission of the Imperial Valley Desert Museum is to preserve, interpret, and celebrate the deserts of Southern California through outstanding collections, research, and educational programs.
- Our goal is to be the foremost research and educational institution devoted to the preservation, interpretation, and celebration of the deserts of Southern California.
The Imperial Valley Desert
Museum Needs Your Help!
The Imperial Valley Desert Museum is in the fourth year of our National Endowment of the Humanities Grant. And this is the year we need your help. This matching grant is a five year grant to build an endowment to fund two positions at the museum: a Head Curator and a Cultural Collections and Programs Manager. The museum was able to fully match this grant in 2015 and 2016 from clean energy projects, creating an endowment of over $578,000.
Of particular importance is continuing the funding of our Head Curator position. This staff position is held by someone with archaeology or museum related experience that can guide the long-term research and preservation efforts of the museum, and the expertise to preserve, conserve, and interpret the Imperial Valley collections for our community. The Head Curator position is vital to retain the necessary expertise for collections management and preservation on staff. Every successful museum program stems from the preservation and accessibility of our local collections.
We can use pledges to match funds this year. A pledge will get us our federal funds, and it can be paid anytime before July 31, 2020.
We are hoping you will read the Society Notes linked below and please support our grant.
Society Note: June July.pdf
Member of the American Alliance of Museums since 2013