Death Valley is Alive!

"Death Valley is Alive" is a new exhibit created by the County Museum and sponsored by a grant from the California Council for the Humanities. During the exhibition, visitors can explore the natural history and culture of the Death Valley region, from its geologic beginnings 1.3 billion years ago, through time to visits by pioneers and prospectors, and its eventual preservation as a natural park. The exhibit is divided into thematic sections:

• What are deserts?

• 1.8 billion years of geological history in Death Valley

• Humans in Death Valley, from Native Americans to Death Valley Scotty

• Paleontology

• Biotic communities

• Preserving Death Valley and its natural and cultural resources

Huge photomurals with text panels are enriched by artifacts and touchable specimens. There is an interactive display that challenges visitors to guess how plants can survive in a desert, and a large, mechanical map that offers different perspectives of the valley, including satellite imagery.

The exhibit will travel to other museums and educational institutions starting in the autumn of 2003. For information on the exhibit schedule and transportation fees, contact

The San Bernardino County Museum
2024 Orange Tree Lane
Redlands, CA 92374
(909) 307-2669 ext. 227 / TDD/TTY: (909) 792-1462.