Kern County Museum
The famous Kern County Museum of Bakersfield is dedicated to preserving the history of this magnificent region of California. Kern County Museum is a historical museum. Its primary focus is Kern County's history. Pioneer Village comprises approximately 50 historic structures from throughout the county depicting late-nineteenth-century life.
The Lori Brock Children's Discovery Center, the Black Gold exhibit, and Neon Plaza are among the other major attractions. The Kern County Museum has been successfully accredited by the American Alliance of Museums. The museum is a participant in the North American Reciprocal Museums program.
The Beale Memorial Clock Tower, located on the museum's grounds, is one of the most iconic landmarks. The clock tower was built in 1904 at the center of the junction of 17th Street and Chester Avenue. It was damaged in the 1952 earthquake and rebuilt in 1964 on this site.
Some of the exciting exhibits at the museum include the Pioneer Village. The diverse structures here are from all throughout the county. There is practically one of each type of building from the era, including a one-room schoolhouse, a hotel, a courthouse, a church, a photographic studio, a railroad station, and an assay office.
Black Gold is another exhibit on Kern County's oil sector. It was built in 2002. Some of the highlights, according to the museum's website, are "simulated travel under the sea in a diving bell to learn an exploration into oil discovery, recovery, how oil is formed, and its transformation into many products we use today. Also, the many dangers of asphaltum mining are straight from an old-timer.
The county's neon signs for restaurants, retail outlets, and service companies have been restored in the Neon Plaza. Company meetings, charitable fundraisers, private parties, and other galas are held in the outdoor exhibition area.
A few of the other exhibits include the main building with changing displays. It is situated in the historic Chamber of Commerce building, which was constructed in 1929. It is the sole historic structure that is original to its position; all others were relocated later, leaving behind the fact that the Beale Memorial Clock Tower was rebuilt just in front of the museum in the year 1964.
The museum now houses nearly a million artifacts. The majority are cycled through the building according to the topic.
The Lori Brock Children's Discovery Center, located on the grounds of the Kern County Museum, is a children's museum. It was established in 1976 with the intention of providing youngsters with hands-on experiences. Its displays, like those in the main building, rotate. The facility features three display rooms, each with a separate exhibit.