Trip ideas while visiting Bakersfield in California
The Kern County Museum stands as the premier cultural institution in Bakersfield, offering visitors an immersive journey through the rich and varied history of Kern County. Located on a sprawling 14-acre campus just east of downtown, the museum complex brings together indoor exhibit halls and outdoor historic structures to tell the story of the region’s past, from its earliest indigenous inhabitants through the oil boom and agricultural abundance that define the area today. The museum serves as both a repository of local artifacts and a living celebration of the diverse peoples and industries that built Bakersfield into the city it is today.
The origins of the Kern County Museum trace back to the late 19th century, when local citizens recognized the need to preserve the rapidly disappearing artifacts and stories of life in the southern San Joaquin Valley. The museum as it exists today opened its doors in 1941, though collections had been assembled and displayed in various forms for decades prior. Over the intervening decades, the museum has grown substantially, adding outdoor exhibit areas, restoring historic buildings, and developing new educational programs that serve school groups, families, and visitors of all ages. The museum is operated by Kern County and remains one of the most significant cultural resources in California’s Central Valley.
The history of Kern County is deeply rooted in the intersection of indigenous cultures, Spanish colonial influence, American westward expansion, and the transformative power of natural resources. For thousands of years before European contact, the Temo and other indigenous groups inhabited the region, relying on the Kern River and the valley’s abundant natural resources for food, shelter, and cultural practices. Spanish missionaries arrived in the late 1700s, followed by American settlers in the mid-1800s who were drawn by the promise of fertile agricultural land and the discovery of one of the richest oil fields in North America.
The Kern River Oil Field, discovered in 1899 just east of downtown Bakersfield, fundamentally reshaped the region’s trajectory and its identity. The oil boom transformed Bakersfield from a small agricultural settlement into a thriving urban center, attracting workers, entrepreneurs, and families from across the country and around the world. The museum’s exhibits trace this remarkable transformation, documenting the daily lives of early oil field workers, the engineering innovations that made deep-drilling possible, and the social changes that accompanied rapid industrial growth. Photographs, tools, personal accounts, and rare artifacts bring this formative period to life with striking immediacy.
The Bakersfield Sound Wall stands as one of the museum’s most iconic features, a striking monument honoring the musicians who created one of country music’s most distinctive and influential styles. This long mural-covered wall near the museum’s entrance celebrates Buck Owens, Merle Haggard, and the countless other artists who performed in Bakersfield’s clubs and honky-tonks, helping shape the sound of American music. The Bakersfield Sound emerged in the 1950s and 1960s as a gritty, twangy alternative to the polished Nashville sound, and its influence can be heard in virtually every genre of American music today. The wall serves as both a photo opportunity and a gateway to the musical heritage explored in greater detail throughout the museum.
The Bennett House, a restored Victorian home on the museum campus, offers a window into domestic life in Bakersfield during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Built in 1878, the house has been meticulously preserved and furnished to reflect the period when Bakersfield’s earliest families established households in the growing town. Visitors can walk through the home’s rooms, examining original furnishings, architectural details, and decorative elements that speak to the tastes and lifestyles of the city’s founding generation. The house is surrounded by mature landscaping that would have been typical of affluent homes of the era.
The Petroleum Exhibit inside the museum’s main hall is a must-see for anyone curious about the industry that built Bakersfield. Interactive displays and carefully preserved equipment explain how oil is formed, how it is extracted from deep underground, and how the refining process transforms crude oil into the petroleum products that power modern civilization. The exhibit includes full-scale replicas of drilling equipment, interactive models that demonstrate extraction techniques, and personal accounts from oil field workers describing the physical demands and rewards of life in the industry. Visitors can climb aboard a retired drilling rig platform and experience firsthand what it felt like to work high above the valley floor.
The Black History Gallery within the museum honors the contributions of African Americans to Kern County’s development, documenting the struggles and achievements of a community that has played a vital role in the region’s cultural and economic life. Exhibits highlight the establishment of early African American neighborhoods, the role of local leaders in the civil rights movement, and the ongoing contributions of Black residents to Bakersfield’s arts, business, and civic life. The gallery provides an important counterpoint to the more commonly told stories of the oil and agricultural industries, ensuring that all facets of Kern County’s diverse population are represented.
The Native American Hall showcases artifacts and cultural materials from the indigenous peoples who have called the Kern County region home for millennia. The exhibit features pottery, baskets, weapons, tools, and ceremonial objects created by the Temo and neighboring groups, each item offering insight into the daily practices, spiritual beliefs, and artistic traditions of these remarkable cultures. Informational displays explain how archaeologists and anthropologists have pieced together knowledge of indigenous history through careful study of artifacts, oral histories passed down through generations, and collaboration with tribal communities. The hall also addresses the impact of European settlement on indigenous populations.
The Military History Hall documents Kern County’s contributions to American military efforts from the Civil War through the present day. Uniforms, medals, weapons, photographs, and personal letters tell the stories of local men and women who served in every major American conflict, highlighting individual acts of heroism, the daily realities of military life, and the lasting effects of war on communities back home. The exhibit is particularly strong on World War II, when Bakersfield served as a training ground and home to thousands of service members stationed at nearby bases. Visitors will find personal artifacts including letters home, snapshots from the front, and discharge papers that illustrate the human dimension of military service.
The museum campus includes a collection of restored historic buildings that span different eras and functions, offering a tangible sense of how Bakersfield’s built environment evolved over time. In addition to the Bennett House, the campus features a one-room schoolhouse, a church, a jail, and several commercial buildings that represent the architectural styles and social organization of early Kern County settlements. These structures are open for visitors to explore, providing an outdoor museum experience that complements the indoor exhibits. Informational signs near each building offer historical context and highlight notable features worth examining closely.
The Kern County Museum is open Tuesday through Sunday throughout the year, with extended hours during the summer months when visitors can take advantage of the museum’s outdoor attractions during the cooler morning and evening hours. The museum is closed on major holidays, and hours can vary seasonally, so visitors are encouraged to check the official website before planning their trip. Admission fees are reasonable, with discounts available for seniors, students, and children, and group rates offered for organized tours and school field trips.
Spring brings comfortable temperatures in the 70s and 80s, ideal for wandering the outdoor exhibit areas and exploring the historic buildings without the extreme heat of summer. Wildflowers bloom throughout the museum’s landscaping during spring months, adding color to the already picturesque campus. Fall offers similarly pleasant weather and is often less crowded than the spring season, making it a good choice for visitors who prefer a more relaxed pace. Summer visits require early morning arrivals to make the most of outdoor attractions before temperatures climb, with the indoor exhibit halls providing air-conditioned relief during the hottest part of the day.