Natural History Wing

The Natural History Wing provides visitors with an engaging introduction to the remarkable biodiversity and geologic history of the Mojave Desert. Through immersive displays and authentic specimens, visitors can explore the plants, animals, and landscapes that make this desert ecosystem one of the most unique environments in North America.

Desert Fauna Dioramas
Realistic habitat dioramas showcase a variety of native wildlife, allowing visitors to observe desert animals within carefully recreated natural settings. These exhibits highlight the adaptations that enable species to survive in an environment characterized by extreme temperatures and limited water resources.

Insects of the Mojave
This exhibit introduces visitors to the incredible diversity of insects found throughout the region. Featuring preserved specimens and interpretive information, the display explores insect anatomy, behavior, ecological importance, and the essential roles these organisms play in desert ecosystems.

Desert Traces
Discover the clues that desert animals leave behind. Through specimens of skulls, scat, tracks, and other signs, visitors can learn how naturalists and wildlife biologists identify and study animals that are often rarely seen in the wild.

Paleontology Specimens
Journey into the distant past through fossils and specimens that reveal the ancient environments and organisms that once inhabited the region. This exhibit illustrates how landscapes and life forms have changed over millions of years and provides insight into the prehistoric history of the Mojave Desert.

Gems and Minerals
The Museum's mineral collection features a diverse array of rocks, gemstones, and minerals from California and around the world. Visitors can learn about mineral formation, geologic processes, and the ways in which Earth's dynamic systems create the beautiful and varied materials found beneath our feet.

Cultural History Wing

The Cultural History Wing explores the rich human history of the Morongo Basin and highlights the diverse communities that have shaped the region over time.

Native American Culture
This exhibit offers insight into the lifeways, traditions, and artistic heritage of the region's Indigenous peoples through a collection of cultural objects and interpretive materials. The current display was developed in collaboration with the Malki Museum and highlights the enduring cultural legacy of the original inhabitants of the Morongo Basin.

Early Settlers and Homesteaders
Artifacts from ranching families, pioneers, and early residents illustrate daily life in the High Desert during periods of settlement and development. Items ranging from household goods and personal belongings to agricultural and ranching materials help tell the story of perseverance and adaptation in a challenging desert environment.

Mining in the High Desert
The mining exhibit explores the industries and individuals who sought valuable minerals and resources within the region. Historic tools, equipment, and specimens provide insight into the opportunities and hardships associated with desert mining communities.

Our Giant Rock: A Community Touchstone in the Mojave

The Museum's interactive exhibit, Our Giant Rock: A Community Touchstone in the Mojave, explores the complex history and cultural significance of Giant Rock, the massive granite boulder located within the Morongo Basin.

Through an interactive touchscreen experience, visitors can discover the many stories associated with this iconic landmark. While Giant Rock is perhaps best known for the colorful individuals who lived near and beneath it, the site has also played an important role in regional history, serving as a gathering place and a focal point for numerous cultural, historical, and social events.

The exhibit features interpretive narratives alongside rarely seen photographs, documents, publications, and video materials that provide a deeper understanding of Giant Rock's many layers of meaning and its enduring place in the identity of the Morongo Basin community.

The development of Our Giant Rock: A Community Touchstone in the Mojave was made possible through the support of California Humanities, a nonprofit partner of the National Endowment for the Humanities.