The
Eastern California Museum was organized in 1928. For many years it was
housed in the basement of the Inyo County Court House. Needless to say, as
the years went by the exhibits became more and more crowded. More room for
displays was badly needed.
In
the 1960’s Mr. and Mrs. Walter Dow, of Lone Pine, who were in the sunset
of life, took note of the crowded conditions and decided to do something
about it. Wishing to do something for the communities that had supported
their business thru the years. they donated the money for a new museum
building. Neither Mr. or Mrs. Dow lived to see the building completed and
dedicated to them. The people of lnyo County will be ever grateful to
them.
Moving
the exhibits into the new building, and other publicity. brought added
donations by interested people. The number of visitors kept increasing as
pleased visitors told their friends about the museum. Groups of school
children, church groups, Scouts, youth groups, high school and college
groups visit and are given special attention by the museum personnel. Many
groups come by the bus load. Some people come to obtain the history of
some relative who lived in the valley years ago. There is no end to the
knowledge gained, and the pleasure received, by the people who visit the
museum. They come from all states and many foreign lands.
The
main building houses the Indian artifacts, fossils, minerals, the many
interesting, and some quite rare, items relating to the early white
settlers. There are old and rare photographs, family histories, a library
of rare books pertaining to the vicinity. old musical instruments and
many, many other things.
We
joined this organization when we first came to Inyo County, and it helped
bring us into a closer relationship and a greater appreciation of the
valley, its history, and natural resources.
Occasionally
there has been an evening lecture at the museum by some knowledgeable
person. The lecture is usually illustrated by charts, slides, or
artifacts. The public is invited and there is no charge.
For
several years. museum personnel, the Independence Garden Club. and other
interested people have put on an evening Variety Show, in front of the
museum. We learned much as we participated in these pageants depicting the
early days of the little village of “Putnam” (sometimes referred to as
“Little Pine”). the establishment of Inyo County. These pageants,
under the direction of Mrs. Dorothy Cragen, were historical, factual, and
a lot of fun. They featured old-time attire, music, and even refreshments
reminiscent of by-gone days. Local people modeled the clothes of long ago,
that have been packed away for so many years.
{*Copied without permission from Saga of Inyo County
©1977 by Chapter 183, Southern Inyo American Association of Retired
Persons.}
