List of museums in the Inland Empire

See also: List of museums in California

The Inland Empire metropolitan area and region of Southern California, which sits directly east of the Los Angeles metropolitan area, covers more than 27,000 square miles (70,000 km2). The metropolitan area consists of Riverside County and San Bernardino County and is home to over 4 million people. The Inland Empire contains many museums, which are defined for this context as institutions (including nonprofit organizations, government entities, and private businesses) that collect and care for objects of cultural, artistic, scientific, or historical interest and make their collections or related exhibits available for public viewing. It includes non-profit and university art galleries. Museums that exist only in cyberspace (i.e., virtual museums) are not included in this list.

Name Image Town/city County Type Summary
11th Armored Cavalry Regiment Museum Fort Irwin San Bernardino Military website, history of the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, located at the Fort Irwin National Training Center
Agua Caliente Cultural Museum Palm Springs Riverside Native American History and culture of the Agua Caliente and other indigenous peoples
Agua Mansa Pioneer Cemetery Agua Mansa San Bernardino History Branch museum of the San Bernardino County Museum, historic cemetery of the pioneer ghost town and museum
Beauty Bubble Salon and Museum Twentynine Palms San Bernardino Commodity Historic hair and beauty care artifacts[1][2]
Big Bear Discovery Center Fawnskin San Bernardino Natural history Co-managed by the Southern California Mountains Foundation and the U.S. Forest Service, natural history of the San Bernardino National Forest
Big Bear History Museum Big Bear City San Bernardino Local history website, operated by the Big Bear Valley Historical Society
Cabazon Dinosaurs Cabazon Riverside Religious Dinosaur sculptures and Creationist museum
Cabot's Pueblo Museum Desert Hot Springs Riverside Historic house Hopi-style pueblo house with 35 rooms, 150 windows and 65 doors
Calico Early Man Site Barstow San Bernardino Archaeology Excavations of a Pleistocene stone tool workshop and quarry sites
Calico Ghost Town Calico San Bernardino Open air Ghost silver mining town park with Lane House & Museum of local & mining history, one-room school, blacksmith shop, several original structures
California Citrus State Historic Park Riverside Riverside Industry Visitor center includes a museum that presents the origins of citrus, how it arrived in the Americas, and the commercial development of the Bahia Naval orange in Riverside.[3]
California Route 66 Museum Victorville San Bernardino History Route 66 and automotive history, cultural and economic impacts
Center for Social Justice and Civil Liberties Riverside Riverside Society website, operated by the Riverside Community College District, works of Miné Okubo, themes of civil rights and social justice in the context of 20th-century Riverside
Chaffey Community Museum of Art Ontario San Bernardino Art website, operated by the Chaffey Community Art Association
Chaffey-Garcia House/Museum Rancho Cucamonga San Bernardino Historic house website, operate by the Etiwanda Historical Society
The Cheech Marin Center for Chicano Art, Culture & Industry Riverside Riverside Art website Chicano artwork from across the United States collected by Cheech Marin. Currently under development with a planned opening in 2021.
Children's Discovery Museum of the Desert Rancho Mirage Riverside Children's website
Chino Youth Museum Chino San Bernardino Children's website
Coachella Valley History Museum Indio Riverside Open air website, local culture and history, operated by the Coachella Valley Historical Society, includes the 1926 adobe Smiley-Tyler House with local history exhibits, the 1909 Indio Schoolhouse and the Date Museum. a blacksmith's shop, pioneer farming implements, specialty gardens
Colton Area Museum Colton San Bernardino Local history
Cooper Museum Upland San Bernardino Local history website
Corona Heritage Park & Museum Corona Riverside Multiple website, local history, art and culture
Daggett Museum Daggett San Bernardino Local history website, includes early American collectibles, railroad china, Navajo Indian code-talkers from WWII, barbed wire, lapidary work[4]
Desert Discovery Center Barstow San Bernardino Natural history
Edward-Dean Museum & Gardens Cherry Valley Riverside Fine arts website, features late 16th to early 19th century European & Asian fine arts set within a recreated manor house, surrounded by beautiful gardens.
Entomology Research Museum Riverside Riverside Natural history Insect collection of the Department of Entomology of the University of California, Riverside, open to the public by appointment.
Estudillo Mansion San Jacinto Riverside Historic house website, late 19th-century home of city's first postmaster and second mayor, operated by the City
See also: Estudillo House (disambiguation)
Fingerprints Youth Museum Hemet Riverside Children's website, formerly KidZone Youth Museum
Fontana Historical Society Museum Fontana San Bernardino Local history website
General Patton Memorial Museum Chiriaco Summit Riverside Military Honors veterans, includes military equipment, uniforms, weapons, medals, artifacts, tanks, memorabilia from Patton's life and career
Gilman Historic Ranch and Wagon Museum Banning Riverside Local history Operated by Riverside County Parks, late 19th-century homestead ranch house, museum with a collection of authentic wagons and saddles
Goffs Schoolhouse Goffs San Bernardino Local history Restored one-room schoolhouse with displays of local history, operated by the Mojave Desert Heritage and Cultural Association
Goldstone Deep Space Communications Complex Barstow San Bernardino Science Tours and museum about the radio telescope and astronomy
Hemet Museum Hemet Riverside Local history website
Heritage House Riverside Riverside Historic house website, 1891 Victorian house museum, operated by the Museum of Riverside
Harada House Riverside Riverside Historic house A National Historic Landmark recognizing one of the most significant civil rights cases in California, operated by the Museum of Riverside. As of February 2015, not yet open to the public.
Hi-Desert Nature Museum Yucca Valley San Bernardino Multiple website, artistic, natural and cultural history of the area's deserts
Historical Glass Museum Redlands San Bernardino Glass website, operated by the Historical Glass Museum Foundation, examples of American glass
Historical Society of Palm Desert Museum and Archives Palm Desert Riverside Local History [1]
Idyllwild Area Historical Society Museum Idyllwild Riverside Local history website, history of the San Jacinto Mountain communities of Idyllwild, Garner Valley, Mountain Center, Pine Cove, and Pinewood
Inland Empire Military Museum San Bernardino San Bernardino Military WWII, Korea and Vietnam military memorabilia, owned by Juan Pollo Restaurant chain, located next door to the first McDonald's Restaurant[5][6]
International Banana Museum Mecca Riverside Commodity website, over 20,000 banana related items, formerly located in Altadena, then Hesperia[7]
Jensen Alvarado Ranch Jurupa Valley Riverside Local history 1880s period local history ranch
John Rains House Cucamonga San Bernardino Historic house Also known as Cucamonga Rancho,mid 19th-century house, branch museum of the San Bernardino County Museum
Joshua Tree National Park Natural history Three visitor centers and the Black Rock Nature Center contain exhibits about the natural and cultural history of the area
Jude E. Poynter Golf Museum Palm Desert Riverside Sports [8]
Jurupa Mountains Discovery Center Jurupa Valley Riverside Natural history website, a family-oriented non-profit earth science educational facility, located outside of Riverside city limits, features Ruth and Sam Kirkby Earth Science Museum
Kelso Depot Kelso San Bernardino Local history Railroads, local history, visitor center for the Mojave National Preserve
Keys Desert Queen Ranch San Bernardino Historic house Historic ranch buildings located in Joshua Tree National Park
Kimberly Crest Redlands San Bernardino Historic house French château-style Victorian mansion
La Quinta Museum La Quinta Riverside Local history website, features local and traveling exhibits of art, history and culture
Lincoln Memorial Shrine Redlands San Bernardino Biographical website shrine and museum about President Abraham Lincoln, special collections division of A. K. Smiley Public Library
McCallum Adobe-Cornelia White House Museum Palm Springs Riverside Historic house Operated by the Palm Springs Historical Society, two adjoining late 19th century houses
Malki Museum Banning Riverside Native American website, traditions and history of the Cahuilla Indians and other southern California Indian tribes
March Field Air Museum Riverside Riverside Aviation Adjacent to March Joint Air Reserve Base, historic military and civilian aircraft
Mission Inn Museum Riverside Riverside Historic site Cultural heritage of the Mission Inn
Mojave River Valley Museum Barstow San Bernardino Local history website, history, culture and natural history of the Mojave River Valley
Mountain History Museum Lake Arrowhead San Bernardino Local history website, operated by the Rim of the World Historical Society
Mousley Museum of Yucaipa History Yucaipa San Bernardino Local history website, operated by the Yucaipa Valley Historical Society
Museum of History & Art, Ontario Ontario San Bernardino Multiple website, history, art, and cultural traditions of the greater Ontario area
Museum of Pinball Banning Riverside Sports Museum of Pinball official website.
Museum of Riverside Riverside Riverside Multiple Natural history and Native American culture
Needles Regional Museum Needles San Bernardino Local history [9]
Oak Glen School House Museum Yucaipa San Bernardino Local history website, historic schoolhouse
Old Fire Station Museum Yucaipa San Bernardino Firefighting website, operated by the Yucaipa Valley Historical Society, US Forest Service artifacts from 1936 to 1980
Old Guest House Museum Trona San Bernardino Open air website, operated by the Searles Valley Historical Society, includes exhibits on local mining activities, Native Americans
Old Schoolhouse Museum Twentynine Palms San Bernardino Local history website, operated by the Twentynine Palms Historical Society, displays on Indians, miners, cowboys and homesteaders, historic school displays
Original McDonald's Restaurant Museum San Bernardino San Bernardino Food Site of the first McDonald's that was open in 1940, memorabilia and history of McDonald's and Juan Pollo restaurants, Route 66 memorabilia[10][11][12]
P-38 Museum Riverside Riverside Aviation website, history and memorabilia of the Lockheed P-38 Lightning in World War II, housed on the grounds of the March Air Museum
Palm Springs Air Museum Palm Springs Riverside Aviation Specializes in World War II aircraft and aviation history
Palm Springs Art Museum Palm Springs Riverside Art Modern and Contemporary American art, natural history
Palo Verde Valley Historical Museum Blythe Riverside Local History History of Blythe, the Palo Verde Valley, and surrounding areas[13]
Pennypickle's Workshop Temecula Riverside Children's website, also known as Temecula Children's Museum
Perris Valley Historical Museum Perris Riverside Local history Located in the historic Perris Depot
Planes of Fame Air Museum Chino San Bernardino Aviation
Redlands Historical Museum Redlands San Bernardino Local history website, planned museum operated by the Redlands Historical Museum Association
Rialto Historical Society Museum Rialto San Bernardino Local history website, displays include a turn of the century home, a citrus exhibit and packing house office, military display, an early 20th century doctor's office, located in the former church school building next door to the former First Christian Church of Rialto
Riverside Art Museum Riverside Riverside Art Over 20 exhibitions a year of traditional and contemporary art
Riverside International Automotive Museum CLOSED Riverside Riverside Automotive Closed in June 2016 after the death the Doug Magnon in 2015. The displays included California auto racing history, Dan Gurney, and the largest collection of Mazerati road cars in the United States.[14]
Riverside Sport Hall of Fame Riverside Riverside Sports website, an outdoor display in Newman Park recognizing sporting achievements of Riverside citizens
Robert and Frances Fullerton Museum of Art (RAFFMA) San Bernardino San Bernardino Art Part of California State University, San Bernardino, collections include Ancient Egyptian artifacts, world ceramics and contemporary art
Route 66 "Mother Road" Museum Barstow San Bernardino Transportation website, automobile and Route 66 memorabilia
Ruddy's General Store Museum Palm Springs Riverside History website, 1930s period general store with original fixtures and contents
Salton Sea History Museum Mecca Riverside Local history
Sam and Alfreda Maloof Foundation for Arts and Crafts Alta Loma San Bernardino Multiple website, includes crafts gallery and historic home and gardens of Sam Maloof
San Bernardino County Museum Redlands San Bernardino Multiple website, cultural and natural history, operates many branch museums
San Bernardino de Sena Estancia Redlands San Bernardino Historic house Restored ranch outpost of Mission San Gabriel Arcángel, including a chapel, branch museum of the San Bernardino County Museum; also known as San Bernardino de Sena Estancia
San Jacinto Museum San Jacinto Riverside Local history website, natural and human history of San Jacinto and surrounding areas
San Timoteo Canyon Schoolhouse Unincorporated Riverside Local history website
Searles Valley History House Trona San Bernardino Historic house website, operated by the Searles Valley Historical Society, furnished to appear as in the 1920s when it was occupied by one of the early managers of the Trona Plant
Sherman Indian Museum Riverside Riverside Native American History of the boarding high school for Native American students, culture
Shryock Museum of Embryology Loma Linda San Bernardino Medical website, part of Loma Linda University School of Medicine, teaching collection of anatomy models and fetuses
Southern California Railway Museum Perris Riverside Railroad Heritage railroad and museum about Southern California's railroad history
Stahl Center & Museum of Culture Riverside Riverside Anthropology website, part of La Sierra University, located on the second level of La Sierra Hall,
Sunnylands Rancho Mirage Riverside Historic house Winter retreat mansion of Walter and Leonore Annenberg
Temecula Valley Museum Temecula Riverside Local history website
UCR ARTSblock Riverside Riverside Art website, part of the University of California, Riverside, an interactive art facility housed in the renovated Rouse Building, an 1895 department store, includes the California Museum of Photography, Sweeney Art Gallery, and Barbara and Art Culver Center of the Arts
Victorian Bridal Museum San Jacinto Riverside Textile website, Victorian-era wedding dresses and accessories
Victor Valley Museum Apple Valley San Bernardino Local history website, branch museum of the San Bernardino County Museum
Walter N. Marks Center for the Arts Palm Desert Riverside Art website, part of College of the Desert, includes 3 galleries
Western America Railroad Museum Barstow San Bernardino Railroad
Western Science Center Hemet Riverside Natural history Native American artifacts, Ice Age fossils, archaeology, paleontology
Wignall Museum of Contemporary Art Rancho Cucamonga San Bernardino Art website, part of Chaffey College
World Famous Crochet Museum Joshua Tree San Bernardino Crochet Collection of crocheted items located inside a recycled photo booth.
World Museum of Natural History Riverside Riverside Natural history website, part of La Sierra University, animal mounts, gems and minerals, meteorites and tektites, petrified wood, shells, American Indian artifacts, and contemplative stones (Suiseki)
Ya'i Heki' Regional Indian Museum Perris Riverside Native American Located in Lake Perris State Recreation Area
Yanks Air Museum Chino San Bernardino Aviation Collection of American aircraft including World War II fighters, dive and torpedo bombers
Yorba-Slaughter Adobe Chino San Bernardino Historic house Branch museum of the San Bernardino County Museum, includes post office/general store with an exhibit of agriculture and animal husbandry
Yucaipa Adobe Yucaipa San Bernardino Historic house website, branch museum of the San Bernardino County Museum

Defunct museums

See also

References

  1. ^ "Facebook site". Beauty Bubble Salon and Museum. Retrieved February 6, 2015.
  2. ^ "Twentynine Palms, California: Beauty Bubble Hair and Beauty Museum and Salon". Roadside America. Retrieved February 6, 2015.
  3. ^ California State Parks, Accessible Features, California Citrus State Historic Park
  4. ^ "Daggett Museum". Visit Greater Palm Springs. Retrieved February 7, 2015.
  5. ^ "Military Museum – Route 66 – San Bernardino, California, USA". Waymarking. Retrieved February 6, 2015.
  6. ^ "Inland Empire Military Museum". Riverside Arts Council. Retrieved February 6, 2015.
  7. ^ "International Banana Club Museum". International Banana Club. Retrieved February 9, 2016.
  8. ^ "Palm Springs Points of Interest". Palm Springs.com. Retrieved February 5, 2015.
  9. ^ "Points of Interest". Needles Chamber of Commerce. Retrieved February 7, 2015.
  10. ^ "San Bernardino, California: Original McDonald's Site, Museum". Roadside America. Retrieved February 6, 2015.
  11. ^ "The Original McDonald's: A Museum in San Bernardino". California Through My Lens. Retrieved February 6, 2015.
  12. ^ "Original McDonald's Site". Yelp. Retrieved February 6, 2015.
  13. ^ "Palo Verde Valley Historical Museum". Museums USA. Retrieved February 5, 2015.
  14. ^ Begley, Doug. Maserati Makes His Day. The Press Enterprise, September 4, 2009, Section D.
  15. ^ "A Special Place Children's Hands-On Museum – Closed". Yelp. Retrieved January 7, 2014.
  16. ^ "Heartland, The California Museum of the Heart – CLOSED". Museums USA. Retrieved January 7, 2014.
  17. ^ "Welcome". Southern California Medical Museum. Retrieved February 5, 2015.