Many of us who have lived in the area have visited Old Town Temecula quite a few times. There are great restaurants, shops, art workshops, events, markets, performances and more to be found all in one place many of which Macaroni KID Temecula-Murrieta-French Valley have been apart of.
But did you know about the Temecula Valley Museum? It's located right next to the Sam Hicks Monument Playground. This small museum is a treasure and it is not just for the adults.
📍28314 Mercedes St., Temecula, CA 92590
🚨It’s a free museum but the suggested donation is $5/person or $10/family.
Temecula History
The Temecula Valley Museum contains exhibits that represent life in the Temecula Valley through time and different cultures that influenced the development of the area. The main history exhibit, The Temecula Valley Story, displays handcrafted artifacts, cultural items, ranching and farming equipment, documents, photographs, and more. Exhibits depict key stories, including the Luiseño Indians, Mission San Luis Rey period, establishment of the ranchos, and transportation influences including the stagecoach and railroads.
Erle Stanley Gardner: Perry Mason Author
Erle Stanley Gardner lived in Temecula on his beloved Rancho del Paisano from 1937 until 1970. Gardner, famous for his Perry Mason mysteries, wrote 151 books that sold 325 million copies. His best selling works, the 82 Perry Mason mysteries, were adapted first for radio then became a popular TV series resulting in 271 episodes running from 1957 until 1966. The Temecula Valley Museum owns over 6,000 of his photographs and a vast collection of memorabilia. The permanent display features a reproduction of the Temecula office, a video, and select memorabilia.
Children’s Touch History Exhibit
At the Temecula Valley Museum they have made their “Touch History” children’s educational area so much more touchable! They've unlocked the doors and are now letting children experience history with their hands, hearts and minds. Bring the kids and let them pretend to be the proprietor of Burnham Mercantile Store, cook on the 1880’s play stove, create a puppet show starring Louis and Ramona Wolf, sell fabrics in the Dress Shop, make a fire (almost) at a Mormon Battalion campsite, try a Native American grinding stone (metate) and more!
The children especially loved this part of the museum. It is on the 2nd floor of the museum and is where we spent the majority of our time when we recently visited. Pretend play is a favorite for the younger children and there are so many things for the children to pretend with. There is a general store, a shoe shop, a tent with campfire, a house and a life size horse to climb on. Even the older children will find games to play there that aren't on a screen .
Events
At the Temecula Valley Museum, they celebrate a different region or culture on the 2nd Saturday of each month. Join them and learn about the history and culture of you, or your neighbors!
This month ( November) they will be featuring Alaska
Make sure to check out the Macaroni KID calendar or the Temecula Valley Museum website for upcoming events and exhibits.
Temecula Valley Gift Shop
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The Next time you're in Old Town Temecula, make sure to give the Temecula Valley Museum a visit and enrich your lives with some history, art and culture.
When visiting events and local businesses, be sure to tell them Macaroni KID sent you... and don't forget to tell all your friends!
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