The Coachella Valley History Museum is planning for an exciting future. The long awaited Date Museum is becoming a reality. A capital campaign is underway and the museum is experiencing an opportunity to become a cultural and educational resource for the entire Coachella Valley.

 

The goal of all museums is to teach, and that has and continues to be the goal for CVHM. By expanding the campus, we can provide learning opportunities to people of all ages and backgrounds. History is not something just found in textbooks, it surrounds us every day. The museum is here to help people understand and interpret history, and to help everyone become a historian.

 

Through exciting new exhibits, programs, and tours, the presence of the museum will grow in the community. The campus is planning for the Coachella Valley Museum, which will focus on various aspects of valley history with interactive and changing exhibits. From Palm Springs to the Salton Sea, the valley has a very rich and diverse story to be shared, much of which even locals have no idea about.

 

Another goal for the future of the campus is to return the Smiley-Tyler House back to its original 1920s condition. The recent finding of original blueprints and an inventory of the Smiley furniture provides a priceless guide for restoring and furnishing this home of a valley pioneer.

 

The campus will provide a cohesive telling of the valley’s history as well as fun learning experiences. It will host festivals, education programs, community events, and be a draw for residents and visitors alike.

 

Board Members

Doug York, President
Bill Claire, Vice President
Patricia Laflin, Treasurer
Gloria Franz, Secretary
Anne Bollam
Pat Boydstun
Bruce Clark
Carl Cox
Russell Friestad
Hugh Mason
Richard Ramirez
Priscilla Porter
Doug Holmes
Sue Karr
Benjamin Guitron

 

Museum Cats

While visiting you might see one of our resident cats lying in the sun. There are several cats on the property that all have come to us on their own. When new ones arrive, they are trapped, spayed or neutered, and adopted -- all of which is done by kind-hearted volunteers. The cats that are too feral to find homes come back to the museum and live a peaceful life here keeping the museum safe from snakes and rats.