Coachella Valley History Museum

07/31/2026

It's hard to miss the energy coming from The City of Indio - Government these days! We're excited Coachella Valley History Museum is where they're celebrating all of this Momentum With Purpose during the State of the City on Thursday, October 1, 2026, from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. We're also grateful that in support of local history and culture, $10 from every ticket sold to the event will be donated to Coachella Valley History Museum. For tickets, sponsorship information and event details, visit www.indioca.gov/stateofthecity.

The City of Indio invites community members, business leaders and regional partners to attend the 2026 State of the City on Thursday, October 1, from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at the Coachella Valley History Museum.

This year’s theme, “Momentum with Purpose,” will highlight Indio’s continued progress, major investments and the vision guiding the city’s next chapter. The evening will bring the community together to celebrate recent accomplishments and hear more about the priorities and opportunities shaping Indio’s future.

Tickets and sponsorship opportunities are now available. In support of local history and culture, $10 from every ticket sold will be donated to the Coachella Valley History Museum.

For tickets, sponsorship information and event details, visit www.indioca.gov/stateofthecity.

Event Details
📅Thursday, October 1, 2026
🕐5:30–8 p.m.
📍Coachella Valley History Museum

07/24/2026

MUSEUM IS CLOSED
due to this weekend's high desert temperatures
Saturday, July 25, and Sunday, July 26, 2026.

07/14/2026

Each summer, Coachella Valley History Museum’s summer art camp for kids, EXPLORE: Young At Art, culminates in the Art Reception. The Medjool Auditorium turns into a gallery displaying all of the beautiful artwork students created over three weeks, and families come to celebrate their kid’s creativity and talent.

This year, a special guest attended - Chris Pickering of the Riverside County Fair & National Date Festival. Chris made a special surprise announcement: all of the students’ artwork from this summer’s program is eligible to be entered into the Date Festival’s Art Competition for a chance to win blue ribbons and cash prizes. Thanks to the foresight of our instructors, they made sure that all of the projects the kids worked on this summer meet the eligibility criteria.

EXPLORE: Young At Art and EXPLORE: Junior Historians, our after-school program starting in September, continue to be possible because of the generosity of the Anderson Children's Foundation.

Check out this video featuring highlights of this year’s art reception and interviews with students, their parents, and instructors. Please like, comment, and share here and on YouTube so more people hear about the great programs we offer.

During three weeks of summer classes, kids attending the 2026 EXPLO...

07/04/2026

Happy Fourth of July! 🇺🇸

Check it out - there are 3 Free Admission days this month. 🤩

06/09/2026

Coachella Valley History Museum exists because of volunteers!

From its infancy, the Coachella Valley Historical Society (dba Coachella Valley History Museum) has always been powered by the energy and passion of its volunteers. In 1965, a group of valley residents began collecting historical items and archival information and officially incorporated. They worked with The City of Indio - Government to purchase the Smiley-Tyler House (which is celebrating its Centennial Anniversary this year!) and in 1983 signed a lease with the City to operate the Smiley house as a museum. During a six-month period, local area residents and Society members volunteered the labor to renovate the outdoor gardens, garages, and buildings as well as the Smiley-Tyler adobe in preparation for the opening, which happened on October 19, 1984. The Young At Art summer program for children was established at the same time. Who did all of this? VOLUNTEERS. 🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼

⏩ Fast forward to today, and it’s still the dedication of volunteers that fuels museum operations, programs, and events. We love our volunteers! 🫶🏼

And there’s plenty of room to welcome more volunteers, whether they’re 18 or 80, with a role for everyone that takes into account what they enjoy doing and how much time they want to commit, from giving museum tours to checking in guests in the gift shop for those who enjoy interacting with the public, from gardening to cleaning exhibits for those who prefer staying behind-the-scenes, and helping with annual fundraisers for those who enjoy parties and event planning.

To find out more and to apply to volunteer, visit https://www.cvhm.org/volunteer.

In the photos: Volunteers enjoying games, lunch, and spending time together at our recent Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon

06/08/2026

POV: Enjoying Community Yoga at Coachella Valley History Museum

06/06/2026

💫 COMMUNITY EVENTS 💫 during “Community Days” (when admission during the first full weekend of the month is FREE) are one of the best ways to enjoy Coachella Valley History Museum.

Desert Plein Air Association watercolor artist, Terry Simons, was the featured guest of our monthly Creator Speaker Series this morning. He often visits the museum to capture the campus in his artwork, and today he spoke about his creative process.

Bring your bag of art supplies to the museum this weekend, and be inspired by the museum’s beautiful atmosphere. Admission is FREE this Saturday and Sunday, June 6 and 7, from 10:00AM to 2:00PM.

Join us for tomorrow’s free Community Event, too:
Community Yoga 🧘🏻‍♀️🧘🏽‍♂️
led by Soulzenter
Sunday, June 7, at 1:00PM
in the Medjool Auditorium

06/05/2026

Screenshot the info in this reel! 📸📸📸
And share so others know where to find FREE fun this weekend.

SATURDAY, JUNE 6, at 10:00AM
🎨 Creator Speaker Series
featuring Terry Simons,
Watercolor Artist with Desert Plein Air

SUNDAY, JUNE 7, at 1:00PM
🧘🏻‍♀️ Community Yoga
led by Soulzenter

SATURDAY, JUNE 6, 2026
SUNDAY, JUNE 7, 2026
☀️ Free Admission to the museum during NEW SUMMER HOURS:
10:00AM - 2:00PM