Antelope Valley Indian Museum: Holidays on the Homestead

Park: Antelope Valley Indian Museum SHP

Visit the Antelope Valley Indian Museum on Saturday, December 15^th from 5 p.m.-8 p.m. for an old-time country holiday celebration! The museum, which was built as a homestead in the 1930’s, will feature a chili cook-off, country craft boutique, homestead-era holiday décor, and cowboy songs and poetry from out on the range performed around a blazing bonfire! Explore the unique hand-built museum and soft, warm lighting of the whimsical historic grounds, with the wintery night sky sparkling over the desert.

 

Traditional cowboy songs and poetry are tales of life on the range that were composed by cattlemen during their journeys across the old west, passed on at the end of their long workdays around the campfire. Cowboy performers Michael Tcherkassky and Gary Robertson will be bringing the romantic imagery of this folk pastime to life under the stars! Michael, also known as “The Saddle Serenader”, has performed cowboy songs at the Santa Clarita Cowboy Festival and other events around the country for many years. Gary draws from his own ranch life for his poems, leaning toward family stories with humor. These stories are about a lifestyle, and there are some funny things that go on at the ranch.

 

Artist and professional set designer Howard Arden Edwards built the Indian Museum to house his collection of American Indian artifacts, and decorated the storybook-style building with colorful representations of Indian culture and creative hand-made furniture. His wife Rose was known for her tasty chili and cornbread feasts at their 1930’s holiday celebrations.  Their talents are being recognized with a chili cook-off, and a craft boutique of country style items- a great opportunity for holiday shopping. Participants are being sought for the chili cook-off and craft booths; contact Jean Rhyne at (661) 946-6900 or jrhyne@parks.ca.gov for an application. 

 

Admission is $10 for adults, $5 for ages 6-12, and ages 5 and under are free. Only cash or checks will be accepted for event admission and boutique purchases. Please come out for this special holiday event, rain or shine, and support the museum!

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