Santa Ynez Chumash Museum and Cultural Center

10/09/2026

Guests of the Santa Ynez Chumash Museum and Cultural Center are often greeted by volunteers who are stationed throughout the property, available to assist with providing additional insight and background on the Santa Ynez Chumash culture and history. These volunteers are all members of the Santa Ynez Chumash community, known as ‘alaspaxan (teacher) volunteers.

Rose is one of these special volunteers, who started with the first museum volunteer group in the spring of 2025 and is now a familiar face for museum members and guests alike.

For Rose, the time she's given at the museum has been life changing. "Volunteering has become one of the greatest honors of my life. It has strengthened my connection to my family, my community and my ancestors, and it has helped me discover a deeper sense of purpose. I truly feel this is what I was meant to do."

Be sure to say hello to Rose if you see her during your next visit!

10/08/2026

Tonight is "Second Thursday at the Museum!"

Each month, this special event features a lecture by one of the incredible artists, authors, and artisans whose work can be found in the Museum Gift Shop. Following the lecture, guests are welcome to explore the museum's Permanent and Temporary Exhibits free of charge, take a sunset stroll through the Cultural Park, and explore the Museum Gift Shop.

It all begins tonight at 5 p.m.!

📷: Our September "Second Thursday at the Museum" featured guest, author Gary Robinson, speaking to attendees.

10/07/2026

Please join us this Thursday from 5-8 p.m. for our ”Second Thursday at the Museum” event series featuring Integrative Medicine Specialist, Clinical Herbalist, and Serrano Natural Health founder Dr. Katya Adachi Serrano!

The schedule of events will be as follows:
5 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. Guest Arrival
5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. Lecture and Q&A
6:30 p.m. – 8 p.m. Reception

Additional information can be found on our website at: https://www.sychumashmuseum.org/event/second-thursday-at-the-museum-4/.

10/04/2026

Walking the path to the Welcome Gallery never ceases to fill us with awe for the incredible journey that brought us to these open doors today. 🧡

10/03/2026

Thank you to everyone who joined us for "Second Thursday at the Museum" last month!

We had a wonderful time learning about the inspiration behind author Gary Robinson's latest series, The Thunder Child Prophecy, and getting to meet and mingle with members, friends, and first time guests alike.

Save the Date: "Second Thursday at the Museum" returns October 8 with special guest Dr. Katya Adachi Serrano, founder of Serrano Natural Health.

10/02/2026

The Santa Ynez Chumash Museum and Cultural Center is guided by an esteemed group of Santa Ynez Chumash community members, known as the Museum Board, who are deeply committed to guarding and preserving the tribe's rich heritage.

Today we would like to tell you more about Honorary Board Member and beloved Chumash Elder Grace Romero Pacheco, pictured here.

Grace and her siblings were forced to attend St. Boniface Indian School, during a dark time in California's history that can be learned about in our Permanent Exhibit. Despite experiencing first hand the challenges facing Native American communities to assimilate from a very early age, Grace has lived a life devoted to the preservation of her tribe's history and culture.

Grace reminds us that cultural knowledge lives not only in stories and ceremonies, but also in the everyday actions of those who carry it forward. Her life is a testament to the resilience and enduring spirit of the Santa Ynez Chumash people, and we are grateful to her for the incredible legacy she is helping to preserve for generations to come.

10/02/2026

We are honored to share that we were recently featured in Condé Nast Traveler's 𝐼𝑛𝑠𝑝𝑖𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 series!

The article shares an in-depth look at author Carrie Honaker's first visit with us, and we invite you to enjoy it through the link below.

Inside the new Chumash Museum and Cultural Center in Santa Ynez, California.

09/30/2026

If you are planning a visit to see us this weekend, we also recommend exploring the Chumash Intertribal Powwow!

This special two-day celebration takes place at the corner of Meadowvale Road and Highway 246 from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturday, and from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday.

We welcome you to learn more about this year's powwow at: https://chumash.gov/powwow.

09/24/2026

Throughout the museum grounds you will find unexpected elements that weave Santa Ynez Chumash culture into the visitor experience in interesting and unexpected ways!

A popular discovery for many guests are the intricately designed door handles modeled from traditional Clapper Sticks. These handles were inspired by an original design by Santa Ynez Chumash community member Pita Romero, and can be found on the doors to the Welcome Gallery, Maria Solares Discovery Center, Exhibit Halls, and Heritage House.

Don't miss these special details during your next visit!

09/21/2026

𝐹𝐴𝑄 𝑆𝑝𝑜𝑡𝑙𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡: How long should I allow for my visit?

A good rule of thumb for visiting the Permanent and Temporary Exhibits is to allow approximately 60-90 minutes. Visiting the entire museum property typically takes first time guests two hours or more.

If you find that you want more time than your visit allows, stop by Registration and upgrade your one day admission to an annual membership so you can return as often as you would like!

𝑯𝒐𝒍𝒊𝒅𝒂𝒚 𝑯𝒐𝒖𝒓𝒔: Please note that we will be closed this Friday, September 25, in observance of Native American Day. The museum and gift shop will be open during normal business hours Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday.