La Quinta Museum

First Friday and Open House--Black History Month

2012-01-26T10:01:00.001-08:00

As we celebrate Black History Month 2012, we invite you to join us as we direct our attention to four musical pioneers that made a difference; Eubie Blake, Louis Armstrong, Lena Horne and Paul Robeson. This presentation will include the talents of Yve Evans, Perry L. Brown, and members of the E&J Movement. Yve, a consummate recording artist and actress, has performed around the world including Japan, Canada, Spain, Italy and on many of the great stages of the United States. Perry L. Brown is a world class opera singer performing on stage and television. His signature roles for musical theater includes his critically acclaimed Broadway performance of "Ol' Man River" in Oscar Hammerstein II and Jerome Kern's Showboat.

Date: February 3, 2012

Time: 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.

Cost: FREE

Ages: All

Civil War Re-enactment This Weekend!

2011-11-18T11:38:00.000-08:00

Saturday and Sunday, November 19th and 20th the Civil War comes to La Quinta! Join us for a free re-enactment at Lake Cahuilla Park! The event will feature four cannons, battles, a hospital, a blacksmith, sutlers and more! Stroll through Union and Confederate encampments and visit with the soldiers!

The event is open from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm on Saturday, November 19th. Battles are at 11:30 and 3:00 pm.

Sunday, November 20th the event is open from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm and the battles are at 11:00 am and 2:00 pm.

This is an event that you won't want to miss!

The Civil War is Coming to La Quinta!

2011-11-07T23:26:00.000-08:00

The museum is gearing up for this month's Civil War re-enactment with a special lecture about California's involvement in the Civil War. You can catch Museum Manager Johanna Wickman's presentation "California and the Civil War" at the Thousand Palms Library at 1:00 pm on Tuesday, November 8, or at the La Quinta Museum on Saturday, November 12 at 10:30 am. This program will discuss California prior to the war, during the war and Coachella Valley connections to the conflict. Both programs are free to attend and open to all ages.

Mark your calendars for the FREE Civil War re-enactment at Lake Cahuilla Park November 19 and 20!

Civil War Re-enactment in November

2011-10-18T13:34:00.000-07:00

Step back in time and experience the Civil War as never before! Stroll through Union and Confederate encampments! Visit with living history re-enactors portraying soldiers and civilians! The event will feature four staged battles with real cannons and muskets! This unique opportunity to commemorate the 150th anniversary of America's bloodiest war is presented in partnership with the Riverside County Regional Parks and Open-Space District, American Civil War Society and the City of La Quinta. Vendors will be set up with food and souvenirs, and guests are invited to interact and ask questions of the re-enactors. Join with us in honoring those who fought and died so many years ago on this historic anniversary.

Saturday, November 19, 2011 from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Battles: 11:30 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.

Sunday, November 20, 2011 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Battles: 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.

FREE admission!

Visit the La Quinta Museum's "California Pioneers" exhibit to see actual Civil War artifacts on display including a sword, musket and document hand signed by Abraham Lincoln.

La Quinta Historical Society features Lowell Bean

2011-09-23T11:35:00.000-07:00

The La Quinta Historical Society's "Mornings at the Museum" program returns this Saturday, September 24th with a special presentation from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. featuring renowned anthropologist Lowell Bean.

When Lowell Bean came to the Coachella Valley in the late 1950's, he'd been told by leading anthropologists that there was nothing in the lowly "digger" culture of California Indians to study. "Historians, the public, and even anthropologists had viewed the California Indians as simplistic, primitive people," he says. "And they weren't. It turned out these were very complex cultures with beautiful music, epic poetry, sophisticated social organization, and philosophical systems." Bean went on to teach anthropology at California State University, Hayward, retiring in 1992. He co-founded the Malki Press and the Malki Museum with Jane Penn and Cahuilla elder Katherine Siva Saubel and formed the Ballena Press with Sylvia Vane. He has written--and continues to write--dozens of influential books and papers, including a classic on Cahuilla life: Mukat's People.

California Pioneers Exhibit Opening

2011-09-08T14:21:00.000-07:00

This Friday, September 9th, "California Pioneers" opens with a special reception held from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. The first 200 guests will receive a FREE small bottle of real gold flakes! Also, several living history re-enactors will be bringing our exhibits to life representing pioneers, gold miners, Civil War soldiers and a railroad station master!

The reception will be fun for the whole family and the exhibit features a fool's gold (pyrite) dig station for kids and an interactive telegraph system! Guests can walk through a small scale train station and telegraph office and take a look at a life size covered wagon! The "Gold Fever!" exhibit focuses on California's diverse history and the California Gold Rush.

"Gold Fever! The Untold Stories of the California Gold Rush" was organized by the California Exhibition Resources Alliance in concert with the California Council for the Humanities.

New Exhibit "California Pioneers" Coming in September!

2011-08-01T12:24:00.000-07:00

The museum would like to thank everyone who visited the incredibly successful "Jurassic Encounter" exhibition. Museum staff is now busy installing "California Pioneers" which will open September 9, 2011. The Museum's downstairs galleries will remain open during the installation.

California Pioneers

Experience pioneer life in early California with artifacts, dioramas and hands on activities! Learn the language of Morse code and send messages back and forth with your friends using our working telegraph system housed in a mock telegraph office and railroad depot! Imagine the journey westward to California with our twenty-five foot covered wagon scene! Experience the Gold Rush through the “Gold Fever!” display, spotlighting the remarkable stories of individual Californios, women, Native Americans, adventurers and gold seekers who emigrated from all parts of the world during the tumultuous and colorful Gold Rush era. The exhibit also features various Civil War artifacts courtesy of the Lincoln Memorial Shrine including: a sword, musket, and document hand signed by Abraham Lincoln. Vignettes of La Quinta’s early pioneers will also be highlighted in the exhibit.

“Gold Fever! The Untold Stories of the California Gold Rush” was organized by the California Exhibition Resources Alliance in concert with the California Council for the Humanities.

California Pioneers Opening Reception
Sept. 9, 5:00pm-7:00pm

Celebrate the grand opening of “California Pioneers” with living history re-enactors scattered throughout the exhibit portraying the lives of early American pioneers and Civil War soldiers. The first 200 guests to the reception will receive a free small bottle of real gold flakes!

Last Week to See "Jurassic Encounter"

2011-07-27T09:52:00.000-07:00

This is the last week to see the most popular exhibit in the history of the La Quinta Museum! The exhibit features a 22-foot Pteranodon, robotic dinosaurs, a dig station and many fossils! July 30th is the absolute last day to see this amazing exhibition!

Beginning August 1st, museum staff will be installing the "California Pioneers" exhibit to open in September.

Junior Paleontologists Starting in June

2011-06-01T13:12:00.000-07:00

With the summer heat fast approaching, the La Quinta Museum is pleased to offer a free "Junior Paleontologists" program for children ages 7-12 featuring fun dinosaur related crafts tying in with the museum's current exhibit, "Jurassic Encounter." Crafts include suncatchers, mobiles, ornaments and more!

Children with an accompanying adult can stop by at any point during the dates and times listed below each week to complete a different craft. No reservations are required.

Ages 7-9
June 15, 22, 29
From 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Ages 10-12
July 6, 13, 20
From 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Dinosaurs in Our Backyard

2011-04-20T14:37:00.000-07:00

Join the San Bernardino County Museum's Curator of Paleontology, Eric Scott, for a special program, "Dinosaurs in Our Backyard."

Scott will explain what dinosaurs are, review the history of dinosaur discoveries in North America, explore why dinosaurs never really died out, and share behind-the scenes stories about recent excavations of actual dinosaur fossils here in Southern California.

The free program is scheduled for Saturday, April 30th from 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

This event is being offered in conjunction with the museum's current exhibition "Jurassic Encounter," on display through July 31, 2011.

April First Friday to Feature Ted Herman

2011-03-22T11:44:00.000-07:00

Come to the La Quinta Museum and enjoy your favorite big band, swing and classic tunes as Ted Herman and a 10-piece orchestra play music from the 1930's, 40's and 50's. Ted Herman has worked with some of the biggest names in show business including Sammy Davis Jr., Elvis Presley, Louis Armstrong, Count Basie and the Chairman of the Board himself--Frank Sinatra. This is a free event you won't want to miss!

First Friday and Open House will be from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Friday, April 1st.
Performance begins at 5:30 p.m.

March First Friday to Feature Patricia Welch

2011-02-25T10:47:00.000-08:00

Renowned singer and La Quinta resident, Patricia Welch, will be the featured performer at the La Quinta Museum's March First Friday program. The free event will run from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Friday, March 4th. Patricia's performance will begin at 5:30 p.m.

Patricia Welch began her career when she starred with Yul Brynner in the Broadway musical The King and I. She has since performed with Wayne Newton and Robert Goulet, as well as performing in concerts as a featured soloist with the Los Angeles Pops Orchestra, the Orange County Symphony and the Jonathon Pops Orchestra. She has been featured in many musical roles such as Maria in The Sound of Music, Marsinah in Kismet, Hodel in Fiddler on the Roof and Maria in West Side Story.

Africa to America: A Musical Journey Through Time

2011-02-16T09:36:00.000-08:00

Come celebrate Black History Month at the La Quinta Museum on Friday, February 18th from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. with a free concert featuring Dave Hannans and local favorites--the E&J Movement.
Dave Hannans, recording artist, songwriter, producer and musician will explore the origins of urban music through both song and conversation. He will delve into the various musical genres that created the term Rhythm and Blues that became the cultural mainstay to describe the music of African Americans in the late 1960’s and 1970’s. Dave will be accompanied by six members of the E&J Movement.

Don Wildman to Speak at the La Quinta Museum

2011-02-07T20:31:00.000-08:00

This Friday, February 11th from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., renowned television personality, Don Wildman will be giving a free program at the La Quinta Museum. Don Wildman has visited over 35 countries and 150 undergrounds while filming The History Channel's hit television program "Cities of the Underworld." He will be sharing photographs and videos of his travels at the museum and available to answer questions. This is an event you won't want to miss! Seating is limited for this program and we are asking interested attendees to please call the La Quinta Museum at 760-777-7170 to reserve a seat.

"Jurassic Encounter" Opening Reception

2011-01-28T13:55:00.000-08:00

Friday, February 4th, marks the opening reception for the La Quinta Museum's newest exhibit, "Jurassic Encounter." The exhibit features a robotic Stegosaurus and Allosaurus, as well as a Pteranodon with a twenty foot wingspan! Visitors will be able to come face to face with a Tyrannosaurus Rex skull, and stand in the footprints of Iguanodon, Allosaurus and Tyrannosaurus Rex. Various fossils will also be on display including a Stegosaurus egg and a lizard trapped in amber.
This kid friendly exhibit also features an interactive dig station and table for crayon rubbings of fossils.
During the opening reception from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. February 4th, the first 200 guests will each receive a free small dinosaur bone fragment to take home!

First Friday and Open House for January

2011-01-06T14:48:00.000-08:00

The La Quinta Museum will kick off it's First Friday series for 2011 with a special performance by accomplished pianist, composer and songwriter, Brenda Warren. She co-wrote and produced the original musical comedy "Breakfast in Marin," which was nominated for a Cable Car Award for Best Original Musical.
Brenda's music has been characterized as "evocative, soothing, haunting and joyful." For her performance at the La Quinta Museum, she will be joined by Janie Horton, who has toured over 40,000 miles as a professional pianist. We invite you to spend a quiet, relaxing evening at the museum listening to the soothing music of Brenda Warren and Janie Horton.

The performance and open house is January 7th from 5:00 p.m to 7:00 p.m. It is free and open to all ages.

Mural Mugs in the Gift Shop

2010-12-06T12:44:00.000-08:00

The La Quinta Museum now carries coffee mugs featuring the museum's mural painted by renowned artist Andre Blanche. These stunning mugs make great conversation pieces and terrific gifts for the holidays!

Last Month for Two Exhibits

2010-12-06T11:14:00.001-08:00

As 2010 draws to a close so do two of the La Quinta Museum's exhibits. "PT Barnum and the Circus" and "Old Hollywood and the Desert Club" will both be closing on December 31st.

"PT Barnum and the Circus" features a variety of circus memorabilia illustrating the life of the "Greatest Showman." The exhibit also includes a display focusing a few of Hollywood's big stars who got their starts in the circus. Celebrities include, Cary Grant, W.C. Fields, Tom Mix and Burt Lancaster.

"Old Hollywood and the Desert Club" tells the story of one of La Quinta's most famous landmarks. Although the club is gone today, it's easy to revisit with the museum's fascinating exhibit. See photographs of Kirk Douglas and Rita Hayworth at the club as well as a menu autographed by such stars as Robert Mitchum, Gary Cooper, Virginia Mayo, Piper Laurie and more. Lana Turner's demitasse set also sits on display, along with an original blueprint from the 1930's for a home in the La Quinta Cove.

The gift shop has also added new merchandise including coffee mugs featuring the museum's mural, sterling silver jewelry, geodes, petrified wood and gemstone magnets. Perfect for gift giving and stocking stuffers!

Carnival at the Museum

2010-11-06T11:00:00.000-07:00

Saturday, November 6th from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 the La Quinta Museum and La Quinta Historical Society will be hosting a carnival to tie in with the museum's current "P.T. Barnum and the Circus" exhibit. The carnival will feature a performance by world famous juggler David Cousin, animals from The Living Desert, carnival games, TC the Clown, face painters and free popcorn!

October First Friday

2010-10-20T15:28:00.000-07:00

The La Quinta Museum kicked off its First Friday concert and Open House series with a special performance by the Boys & Girls Club Heatwave Jazz band on October 1st. The crowd of over 100 people danced and sang along to their favorite Pop, Soul and Rock favorites.

The Evaro's will be performing at November's First Friday from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on November 5th.

The Stars Come Out at the Museum

2010-07-28T10:22:00.000-07:00

The La Quinta Museum was awash with movie stars for the opening reception of "Old Hollywood and the Desert Club" on July 16th. Clark Gable, Mae West and Lucille Ball attended the event and posed for pictures with adoring fans.
The exhibit showcases the history of the Desert Club paying special focus to the many movie stars that visited it during the 1940's and 1950's. This exhibit will be on display through December 31st.
Special thanks to Kay Wolff for the video of the stars.

New exhibit coming soon...

2010-07-01T10:11:00.001-07:00

Old Hollywood & the Desert Club exhibit

La Quinta Museum proudly announces the opening of a new exhibit, Old Hollywood and the Desert Club, running from July 16th thru December 31st. The opening night reception will be held on July 16th from 5 pm - 7 pm. The reception is open to the public, and the ongoing exhibit is FREE to attend.

Old Hollywood and the Desert Club will portray one of La Quinta's most famous landmarks, the Desert Club, from its opening in the 1930's to its eventual demise in the 1980's. The exhibit will feature memorabilia from the Desert Club, home movies of the stars from famed entertainer Ken Murray's private collection, and architectural renderings of the club, made by S. Charles Lee, renowned Hollywood architect and designer of the Desert Club. The exhibit will also showcase a variety of Hollywood memorabilia including original movie posters of some of the many stars who frequented the Desert Club and Lana Turner's personal demitasse set.

At the opening night reception on July 16th, guests will have a chance to meet and mingle with Hollywood "legends" such as Lucille Ball, Mae West and Clark Gable! Visitors are encouraged to bring cameras to take souvenir photos with the stars.

"PT Barnum and the Circus" Video

2010-06-27T21:02:00.000-07:00

This video shows a brief overview of the La Quinta Museum's newest exhibit "PT Barnum and the Circus" on display through December 31, 2010. Be sure to bring the family to this fun exhibit!

"PT Barnum and the Circus" Opening June 11th

2010-05-26T13:48:00.000-07:00

The new "PT Barnum and the Circus" exhibit illustrates the vivid history both of the world of the circus and PT Barnum through a variety of antique posters and artifacts. Visitors can enter a giant circus tent specially built for the exhibition and see an exciting film on circus life. Some of the many items on display include an acrobat's costume from the 1960's, PT Barnum's autobiography from 1871, life size carousel horses and a collection of vintage and antique circus toys. A portion of the exhibit will also touch on the evolution of the circus and its influence on Hollywood stars such as Cary Grant, Burt Lancaster, Tom Mix and W.C. Fields. The exhibit opens June 11, 2010 and will run through December 31, 2010.

Author and WASP Visit

2010-05-15T10:44:00.000-07:00

The La Quinta Museum hosted a special program with author Amy Goodpaster Strebe and her book Flying for her Country, which chronicles the story of WWII women pilots in the United States and Russia. Nearly 50 people attended the event, which also featured a visit from WWII Women Airforce Service Pilot, Pearl Judd.
After the event Amy Goodpaster Strebe and Pearl Judd autographed copies of Flying for her Country which can be purchased in the museum's gift shop.

Last Two Weeks for Women in Flight

2010-05-15T10:38:00.000-07:00

Just a reminder to come visit the "Women in Flight" exhibit at the La Quinta Museum before May 29th. The exhibit includes three full Women Airforce Service Pilot uniforms and other WASP ephemera, as well as displays on Amelia Earhart and the first U.S. female astronaut, Sally Ride.
The exhibit is coming down June 1st to make room for the new "PT Barnum and the Circus" exhibit opening June 11th.

A Stitch in Time

2010-04-20T13:47:00.001-07:00

April 16 - June 30, 2010

"A Stitch in Time" celebrates the art of quilting throughout history. Visitors will see examples of various designs, both handmade and machine made and gain an insight into just how committed these quilters were to their art. Quilts on display include: a 1920's tobacco felt quilt, 1940's applique design, log cabin design, Sun Bonnet Sue, and much more. Also on display are a variety of antique sewing tools.

EVENTS

May 5, 10am
STORY TIME for children ages 3 – 5

May 8, 10:30am to Noon
"FLYING FOR HER COUNTRY"
Join us at the La Quinta Museum for a special presentation by renowned author Amy Goodpaster Strebe and her book “Flying for Her Country: The American and Soviet Women Pilots of WWII.” The presentation will feature a number of archival photographs of WASP and Soviet pilots, as well as information on Jacqueline Cochran. The book will be available for purchase during the event.

June 2, 10am
STORY TIME for children ages 3 – 5

WATER WONDERS summer program will begin at the museum. June 23 for children ages 7 – 9 and July 14 for children 10 – 12. The program will run once a week for an hour for a total of 3 week for each group. Call the La Quinta Museum at (760) 777-7170 to sign-up and for more information on this FREE program.

Women in Flight

2010-04-20T11:35:00.000-07:00

February 26 - May 29, 2010

"Women in Flight" chronicles the adventures and struggles of women in aviation. Special focus is paid to the W.A.S.P.s of WWII - a program directed by local celebrity and aviatrix, Jacqueline Cochran. Artifacts featured in the exhibit include: three full W.A.S.P. uniforms and other ephemera, as well as displays on Amelia Earhart and the first US female astronaut Sally Ride.