WELCOME TO
PIONEERS PARK

373 East Aten Road (Exit I-8 at Hwy 111 North to Aten Road)
Imperial, CA 92251
Phone: (760) 352-1165
FAX: (760) 352-5411

E-MAIL: pioneers@icoe.k12.ca.us

MUSEUM HOURS:

MONDAYS (closed); TUESDAY through SUNDAY: 10 am - 4 pm
OR by Appointment (School Tours October through May)

CLOSED DURING SUMMER MONTHS!
(June 7, 2002, tentative date)

ADMISSION

The Imperial County Historical Society was organized as the Imperial Valley Pioneers Society in 1928 to preserve the life histories of early settlers. While its name has since changed, its ongoing mission is still to preserve the unique development of the irrigated desert and the people who developed the area's modern history.

Before building the present museum at Pioneers Park, adjacent to the Imperial Valley College campus, the Society maintained its collections in a 3,000 square foot museum at the county fairgrounds. The facility was, from the beginning, inadequate to house its collections, making it necessary to store a majority of its records and artifacts in two railroad cars and private homes. Today, the Society's entire collection of archives, documents, newspapers, personal letters, period furniture, photographs, clothing and sundry equipment used by early settlers, are all housed at the Pioneers Museum at Pioneers Park.

This new facility entirely paid for by Valley citizens who have dug deep into their pockets to keep history alive for future generations is one of its kind in the country. The museum houses galleries honoring the different ethnic communities and their history of settlement in the Imperial Valley. It also has a place of honor for all the local young men and women who have served in this country's armed forces from the Civil War to Desert Storm. The Veterans Gallery includes artifacts and uniforms from the different wars and a memorial outside to honor those who paid with their lives.

Among the ethnic galleries at the Museum you will find the Korean Gallery with its "Turtle Ship" made by Admiral Lee Soon Shim in 1592 and the Swiss Gallery with its musical instruments played by Swiss immigrants at their local gatherings and parties. Other galleries in the Museum depict the everyday life of early immigrants from around the world and their unique contributions to this harsh and beautiful land.

The Museum also houses a well preserved history of the Valley's advances in agriculture and technology showing the progress in seed genetics, entomology, animal husbandry and farming equipment. The most important factor in the permanent settlement here came with the building of one of the most impressive irrigation systems anywhere in the world. Without water this land would again become a desert.

Pioneers Park is a place where you can come and learn what it took to make this Valley what we know today. It is remarkable that so many varied backgrounds have converged, blended, and cohabituated with each other for one common goal - betterment.

Imperial County Historical Society Membership Info
2002 Calendar of Museum Events
Price List of Gifts, Books & Postcards
Museum Collections, Artifacts & Historical Photographs

NOTE: Access to research Museum Archives can be scheduled by calling 352-3211.
(Staff research fee is $20 per hour; one hour minimum. Personal research is free!)

Personal Narratives of Imperial Valley History (will return soon)

RELATED OUTSIDE LINKS

IMPERIAL VALLEY LINKS!
(Online resources about the Imperial Valley... things to do and see)

Genealogy Links
Railroads & Railroadiana
Antique Tractors & Farm Equipment
Other Historical Museums

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