Maturango Museum, Natural history museum in Ridgecrest, California
Maturango Museum is a natural history museum in Ridgecrest that presents collections of minerals, indigenous artifacts, and regional animal specimens to show the nature of the Northern Mojave Desert. The exhibits explain the features and ecosystem of this desert landscape.
The museum was founded in 1962 and took its name from the highest peak of the neighboring Argus Range. This naming connects the building to the geographical features that define the desert region.
The museum displays information about petroglyphs from the Coso Rock Art Area created by indigenous peoples of the region. Visitors can learn about the artistic works and tools that reflect the lives of the people who lived here long ago.
The museum is easy to visit and located in central Ridgecrest on a street with good access. Visitors should plan to go on cooler days since the desert region can become very hot.
The museum operates a specialized botanical garden and an outdoor observatory where visitors can explore desert plants and the night sky. These additional areas make a visit a more complete experience beyond the indoor exhibits.
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