New Exhibit:“Maay Uuyow: Sky Knowledge”
Come and see our newest exhibit, “Maay Uuyow: Sky Knowledge”, an in house exhibit developed by Curatorial Research Fellow Claire Deng, Education Coordinator Luis Landeros, and IVDM Director Kristin O’Lear, in collaboration with Michael Connolly, the author of Maay Uuyow: Kumeyaay Cosmology.
“Maay Uuyow: Sky Knowledge” will be on exhibit until April 2023 so there’s plenty of time to check it out!
IVDM Book Club Rocky Readers
Thursday March 23, 2023
6:00pm-8:00pm
This book illustrates how one Ipai family’s remarkable story forms part of the little-known, yet profoundly significant long-term history of human habitation in the land that only recently has come to be known as southern California. Join IVDM Staff and featured Moderator & Author, David L. Toler Jr., for our reading of "Blood of the Band - An Ipai Family Story"
Need a copy? "Blood of the Band - An Ipai Family Story" is available in our gift shop!
This book club will have a $10 fee for non-members and will be FREE for museum members.
Call us at (760) 358-7016 or email us at info@ivdesermuseum.org so we can book you in!
Jacumba Hikers: Round Mountain
Round Mountain, located in Jacumba, is easily seeing from the 1-8. This 5-mile hike will take us across high-desert terrain to the base of Round Mountain, and then we'll proceed to the uppermost peak for stunning views of Jacumba Valley and beyond. This is a STRENUOUS hike which requires bouldering and off-trail hiking up and down rocky, slippery steep slopes.
Saturday, March 25, 2023
8:00am-1:00pm
Meet at the Jacumba Community Park at 8am (44605 Old Hwy 80)
Traditional Craft Day: Games!
FREE COMMUNITY EVENT
Put your skills to the test as IVDM hosts a variety of games reflecting the heritage of the region's many indigenous peoples. Bring your friends and family out for a day of skill, luck, collaboration, and friendly competition!
Saturday, April 1, 2023
10:00am-4:00pm
This event is FREE to all visitors of IVDM, no reservations required.
New Exhibit: "Chinese Pioneers"
April 25th -June 30th
Wednesday-Sunday 10:00am-4:00pm
Imperial Valley Desert Museum is pleased to present Chinese Pioneers: Power and Politics in Exclusion Era Photographs
IVDM Stargazing: ETA Aquarids Meteor Shower Hosted by Michael Rood
The Eta Aquariids is a moderately active meteor shower associated with Halley's Come. Like with most meteor showers, the name comes from the constellation in the night sky that it appears to radiate from. In this case, it’s the Aquarius constellation, the name comes from one of the stars from this constellation: Eta Aquarii.
Saturday, May 6, 2023- 7:30PM - 10:00PM
Bring your binoculars, chairs, blankets, and get cozy as we enjoy the night sky!
Annual Wine Tasting and Silent Auction
On Thursday, May 18, 2023 the Imperial Valley Desert Museum Society, Inc. will host its 8th Annual Wine, Art, and Music Festival in El Centro, CA. This event is the premiere spring fundraiser for the Society and runs from 6:30 pm until 9:00 pm.
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.
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Ocotillo, CA 92259