Permanent Exhibits

The Cahuilla of the Coachella Valley

Thriving in the Valley for thousands of years, the Cahuilla nation remains an integral resident to this area. They greatly respect the nature in this Valley, and community is of utmost importance to their people. Our exhibit reveals their ways of life, everyday needs, and their identity as a unique culture.

 

The Agriculture Room

Agriculture is one of the most essential industries in the Coachella Valley. With a year round growing season and mild winters, a wide variety of produce can be grown here. Our current exhibit discusses the breadth of the Agriculture history from Cotton to Grapes.

 

The Heritage Room

Shortly after the onset of the railroad and the Homesteader’s Act, this valley experienced a major migration. By the turn of the century, the Coachella Valley was quickly domesticated. It was now a home to women and children as well as the men who built the railroads or worked on the Water Canals. These women created a home for their families, and the cities in the valley were now bustling with social life. Many women also came to work here, in the schools, at the telephone service station, or for the local businesses. Our exhibit looks at the everyday culture of these pioneer families.

The Railroad Room

Chosen as the halfway point between Los Angeles, CA, and Yuma, AZ, Indio became the train stop and distribution point for the Southern Pacific Railroad. In 1876, the train rails were completed, and Indio’s township grew exponentially. The 1903 Indio Depot was a two-story building constructed entirely of wood. It burned to the ground in 1966, but some of its effects were salvaged and remain here at the museum. Our artifacts re-capture a sense of the Railroad days in their prime.

 

Pioneer Kitchen

The restored kitchen is an accurate example of a kitchen in 1926. Complete with an icebox, stove, butter churn, and tools of the 1920s, one can see how very different it was to keep up a household.

 

Opening Fall of 2010 in the Date Museum

The date has been and continues to be a vital fruit that has contributed to the economic growth of the Coachella Valley. The exhibitory will explore the history of this industry, from its Middle Eastern origins, the horticulturists who brought the date successfully to California, and the essential workers who harvested the fruit. The success of the date was due a great deal to the early inventive marketers and growers. The Date Shop recreates scenes found in many of the early shops that brought the date to the forefront of agriculture in California.