• New Exhibit: "Chinese Pioneers"

    Imperial Valley Desert Museum is pleased to present Chinese Pioneers: Power and Politics in Exclusion Era Photographs. This is an exhibit made available by the California Historical Society, touring through Exhibit Envoy, and augmented by IVDM Curatorial Research Fellow Claire Deng and Dr. William Quan with local history from the Imperial Valley and Mexicali, Mexico.

    April 28th -June 30th

    Wednesday-Sunday 10:00am-4:00pm

  • IVDM Volunteer Days

    Have you ever wanted to work at a museum and handle artifacts for yourself? If you said "Yes!", come out to the Imperial Valley Desert Museum on May 28, 10:00AM-4:00PM for our monthly "Volunteer Day". We're asking for 25 individuals to assist the museum with sorting and cataloging photos and documents from our Founders Collection

    You will get to organize photos, talk with museum staff, and learn about local history! You are not required to stay and help for the entire day, but if you want to, please bring your own lunch.

    If you are interested in volunteering with IVDM please reach out to reserve your spot for Volunteer Day since we can only allow 25 volunteers at a time.

    Please either call us at (760) 358-7016 or email us at curation@ivdesertmuseum.org and we will get you signed up.

    We look forward to working with you!

  • IVDM Member Exchange with SDAC

    Saturday, June 3, 2023 10:00am-2:00pm

    In collaboration with the San Diego Archaeology Center (SDAC), IVDM presents its first Member Exchange! IVDM Members will be able to visit the SDAC at NO CHARGE!

    Additionally, members will get to explore the SDAC and go behind the scenes for a tour of the Center's curation lab, library, and vaults, which house over one million artifacts. Then enjoy wine and hors d'oeurves with SDAC Executive Director Stephanie Sandoval and IVDM Executive Director Kristin O'Lear at the Center's picnic area featuring views of San Pasqual Valley.

    Register today at info@ivdesertmuseum.org!

  • IVDM Book Club Rocky Readers

    Saturday, June 17, 2023 from 6:00-8:00pm

    Join IVDM Rocky Readers for a special presentation with moderator Fernando Márquez Duarte. Mr. Durate is a PhD Candidate in Political Science at the University of California Riverside (UCR). He has conducted volunteer projects advising and supporting Indigenous groups in Baja California, México, as well as with the Resistance in defense of water in Baja California. His areas of research are Indigenous Political Thought, Indigenous Rights, Decoloniality and Decolonial Marxism. 

    This is a FREE community event! Drinks and refreshments included.

    Call us at (760) 358-7016 or email us at info@ivdesermuseum.org so we can book you in! 

  • Traditional Craft Days - Coiled Clay

    July 1, 2023 10:00am-4:00pm

    Traditional Craft Day – Coiled Clay

    Get your hands dirty on Saturday July 1, 2023 as we celebrate and practice the heritage of the Kumeyaay with Coiled Clay Pottery Making.

    This event is FREE to all visitors of IVDM, with no reservations required.

     

  • Traditional Craft Days - Pottery Painting

    July 22,2023 10:00am-4:00pm

    Traditional Craft Day – Pottery Painting

    On Saturday July 22, 2023 explore the world of paint and pigments as we invite guests to decorate their past pots. Whether you've just made yours the previous event, last summer, or last year: bring your homemade pots from our past Traditional Craft Day and give it a new look in a celebration of color.

    This event is FREE to all visitors of IVDM, with no reservations required.

  • Traditional Craft Days - Pendant Weaving

    August 5, 2023 10:00am-4:00pm

    Traditional Craft Day – Pendant Weaving

    On Saturday August 5, 2023 get your weave on as we celebrate and practice the heritage of the  region's many indigenous peoples with our introduction to traditional basket making: pendant weaving.

     This event is FREE to all visitors of IVDM, with no reservations required.

  • Traditional Craft Days - Games!

    August 19,2023 10:00am-4:00pm

    Traditional Craft Day – Games!

    On Saturday August 19, 2023 put your skills to the test as IVDM hosts a variety of games reflecting the heritage of the region's many indigenous peoples. With content and games for all ages, bring your friends and family out to IVDM for a day of skill, luck, collaboration, and friendly competition.

     This event is FREE to all visitors of IVDM, with no reservations required.

  • The Imperial Valley Desert Museum is a new facility in the heart of the Yuha Desert housing Indigenous and historic artifacts found within the Imperial Valley and surrounding region. 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" – both metaphorically and physically.

    OUR MISSION is to preserve, interpret, and celebrate the deserts of Southern California through outstanding collections, research, and educational programs.

    OUR VISION is to be the foremost research and educational institution devoted to the preservation, interpretation, and celebration of the deserts of Southern California.

    LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT We, the Imperial Valley Desert Museum, recognize our place on the traditional lands of the Kumeyaay who have been here, as they say, 'since the beginning', with a vibrant and rich history dating back over 10,000 years. The lands of Imperial and San Diego County include the traditional lands of many Indigenous groups composed of Quechan, Cahuilla, CoCoPah, Pai Pai, and Kumeyaay. Each of these groups are still present and active today.

    Visit Us

    11 Frontage Rd
    Ocotillo, CA 92259

    Hours of Operation

    Mon-Tue
    ........................................................................................................................................................................................................
    Closed
    Wed-Sun
    ........................................................................................................................................................................................................
    10am-4pm

    Admission

    General
    ........................................................................................................................................................................................................
    $5