Santa Ynez Chumash Museum and Cultural Center

Santa Ynez Chumash Museum and Cultural Center Explore the rich heritage of the Santa Ynez Chumash people. Open Thursday-Sunday from 10am-5pm.

Interested in taking home artwork featured in our newest exhibit, 𝐡𝑒𝑑𝑀𝑒𝑒𝑛 π‘‘β„Žπ‘’ π‘‡β„Žπ‘Ÿπ‘’π‘’ π‘Šπ‘œπ‘Ÿπ‘™π‘‘π‘ : πΆπ‘’π‘Ÿπ‘’π‘šπ‘œπ‘›π‘¦ π‘Žπ‘›π‘‘ πΆπ‘œπ‘šπ‘šπ‘’π‘›π‘–π‘‘π‘¦ 𝑖𝑛 π‘‘β„Ž...
05/31/2026

Interested in taking home artwork featured in our newest exhibit, 𝐡𝑒𝑑𝑀𝑒𝑒𝑛 π‘‘β„Žπ‘’ π‘‡β„Žπ‘Ÿπ‘’π‘’ π‘Šπ‘œπ‘Ÿπ‘™π‘‘π‘ : πΆπ‘’π‘Ÿπ‘’π‘šπ‘œπ‘›π‘¦ π‘Žπ‘›π‘‘ πΆπ‘œπ‘šπ‘šπ‘’π‘›π‘–π‘‘π‘¦ 𝑖𝑛 π‘‘β„Žπ‘’ π‘ƒπ‘Žπ‘–π‘›π‘‘π‘–π‘›π‘”π‘  π‘œπ‘“ πΆβ„Žπ‘Ÿπ‘–π‘ π‘‘π‘œπ‘β„Žπ‘’π‘Ÿ πΈπ‘£π‘Žπ‘›π‘ ? Be sure to stop by the Museum Gift Shop and explore our new First Anniversary Collection!

One of the highlights of the collection is a beautiful souvenir book filled with the exhibit's art and artist notes; plus a variety of postcards, notecards, prints, puzzles, and other gifts featuring the exquisite paintings of Christopher Evans.

The Museum Gift Shop is located along the pathway leading to the museum's largest 'Ap, the Welcome Gallery, and is open to the public during museum hours Thursday through Sunday.

Planning a visit? We are open to the public Thursday through Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.!In addition to annual member...
05/30/2026

Planning a visit? We are open to the public Thursday through Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.!

In addition to annual membership opportunities for Tribal Nations Citizens, educators, individuals, and families; our general admission is as follows:

$15 for Adults (18-64)
$12 for Seniors (65+)
$12 for Teens (13-17)
$10 for Children (3-12)
$12 for Military Members (with ID)
Free for Toddlers (2 and under)

Purchase tickets and plan your visit now at: https://www.sychumashmuseum.org/plan-your-visit/!

Guests of the Santa Ynez Chumash Museum and Cultural Center are often greeted by volunteers who are stationed throughout...
05/29/2026

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 β€˜alaspaxan (teacher) volunteers.

Darryl is one of these special volunteers, who started his journey last year on April 15, the birthday of the tribe's matriarch, Maria Solares.

When asked about his experience volunteering and sharing his tribe's culture with museum guests, Darryl shared, "It gives me a sense of pride and belonging. It feels great to volunteer and give back to the tribal community and it's very rewarding in so many ways. Remembering and honoring tribal loved ones who have passed, it's a personal journey through the past and present."

Be sure to say hello to Darryl if you see him during your next visit!

Thank you to all who have visited our brand new Temporary Exhibit, 𝐡𝑒𝑑𝑀𝑒𝑒𝑛 π‘‘β„Žπ‘’ π‘‡β„Žπ‘Ÿπ‘’π‘’ π‘Šπ‘œπ‘Ÿπ‘™π‘‘π‘ : πΆπ‘’π‘Ÿπ‘’π‘šπ‘œπ‘›π‘¦ π‘Žπ‘›π‘‘ πΆπ‘œπ‘šπ‘šπ‘’π‘›π‘–π‘‘π‘¦ 𝑖𝑛 𝑑...
05/29/2026

Thank you to all who have visited our brand new Temporary Exhibit, 𝐡𝑒𝑑𝑀𝑒𝑒𝑛 π‘‘β„Žπ‘’ π‘‡β„Žπ‘Ÿπ‘’π‘’ π‘Šπ‘œπ‘Ÿπ‘™π‘‘π‘ : πΆπ‘’π‘Ÿπ‘’π‘šπ‘œπ‘›π‘¦ π‘Žπ‘›π‘‘ πΆπ‘œπ‘šπ‘šπ‘’π‘›π‘–π‘‘π‘¦ 𝑖𝑛 π‘‘β„Žπ‘’ π‘ƒπ‘Žπ‘–π‘›π‘‘π‘–π‘›π‘”π‘  π‘œπ‘“ πΆβ„Žπ‘Ÿπ‘–π‘ π‘‘π‘œπ‘β„Žπ‘’π‘Ÿ πΈπ‘£π‘Žπ‘›π‘ .

This new exhibition represents more than a collection of paintings. It reflects an ongoing effort to bring together knowledge, memory, and place in a way that is both meaningful and accessible.

Each of the pieces - depictions of dancers, landscapes and a painting titled, β€œThe Three Worlds,” - were created through research, collaboration, and careful observation, drawing from oral traditions, historical sources, and the lived experience of the Chumash people.

We welcome guests Thursday through Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and invite you to plan your visit to explore the incredible collection at: https://www.sychumashmuseum.org/plan-your-visit/.

Have you experienced our new Audio Tour yet? Once you have collected your personal listening device at registration, you...
05/17/2026

Have you experienced our new Audio Tour yet?

Once you have collected your personal listening device at registration, you will find special acorns, like this one, throughout the museum grounds. Once you enter the indicated code into your device, the narrators will take you deeper into the rich history and culture of the Santa Ynez Chumash through personal stories and audio recordings that enhance each exhibit.

This experience is an additional fee, and subject to availability. It's offered in English, Spanish, Mandarin, and Tagalog. Ask any of our Team Members for assistance during your next visit!

We look forward to debuting our brand new Temporary Exhibit, 𝐡𝑒𝑑𝑀𝑒𝑒𝑛 π‘‘β„Žπ‘’ π‘‡β„Žπ‘Ÿπ‘’π‘’ π‘Šπ‘œπ‘Ÿπ‘™π‘‘π‘ : πΆπ‘’π‘Ÿπ‘’π‘šπ‘œπ‘›π‘¦ π‘Žπ‘›π‘‘ πΆπ‘œπ‘šπ‘šπ‘’π‘›π‘–π‘‘π‘¦ 𝑖𝑛 π‘‘β„Žπ‘’ π‘ƒπ‘Žπ‘–...
05/15/2026

We look forward to debuting our brand new Temporary Exhibit, 𝐡𝑒𝑑𝑀𝑒𝑒𝑛 π‘‘β„Žπ‘’ π‘‡β„Žπ‘Ÿπ‘’π‘’ π‘Šπ‘œπ‘Ÿπ‘™π‘‘π‘ : πΆπ‘’π‘Ÿπ‘’π‘šπ‘œπ‘›π‘¦ π‘Žπ‘›π‘‘ πΆπ‘œπ‘šπ‘šπ‘’π‘›π‘–π‘‘π‘¦ 𝑖𝑛 π‘‘β„Žπ‘’ π‘ƒπ‘Žπ‘–π‘›π‘‘π‘–π‘›π‘”π‘  π‘œπ‘“ πΆβ„Žπ‘Ÿπ‘–π‘ π‘‘π‘œπ‘β„Žπ‘’π‘Ÿ πΈπ‘£π‘Žπ‘›π‘ , this evening at our First Anniversary Celebration!

Access to the exhibit and our new audio tour - available in English, Spanish, Mandarin, and Tagalog - will be available to all guests beginning tomorrow, May 16.

Plan your next visit online at: https://www.sychumashmuseum.org/plan-your-visit/.

Planning a visit? We are open from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., Thursday through Sunday!In addition to annual membership opportunit...
05/14/2026

Planning a visit? We are open from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., Thursday through Sunday!

In addition to annual membership opportunities for Tribal Nations Citizens, educators, individuals, and families, our general admission is as follows:

$15 for Adults (18-64)
$12 for Seniors (65+)
$12 for Teens (13-17)
$10 for Children (3-12)
$12 for Military Members (with ID)
Free for Toddlers (2 and under)

Purchase tickets and plan your visit now at: https://www.sychumashmuseum.org/plan-your-visit/.

05/13/2026

Tomorrow is the fifth anniversary of the topping off ceremony for our museum. This is a long-standing tradition of construction workers, particularly steel workers, to commemorate the completion of a building's structure – specifically the placement of the final steel beam or girder truss.

In keeping with this tradition, the girder placed atop the Santa Ynez Chumash Museum and Cultural Center was adorned with a small tree and flags for both the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians and the United States of America. Names of the current Chumash Business Committee and Museum Advisory Committee were also added to the girder.

As we approach the first anniversary of our opening, may their unseen presence serve to remind us that with determination and hard work, every dream is possible. 🧑

At the Museum Gift Shop, we are proud to offer a wide variety of gifts that celebrate the beauty of our ancestral region...
05/12/2026

At the Museum Gift Shop, we are proud to offer a wide variety of gifts that celebrate the beauty of our ancestral region and the unbreakable spirit of the Indigenous artist.

During your next visit we welcome you to explore our wide assortment of prints, original art, and stationery, along with handcrafted jewelry, baskets, pottery, and more.

Located along the pathway leading to the Welcome Gallery, the Museum Gift Shop is open during museum hours, Thursday through Sunday, from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.

In honor of Mother's Day, we are proud to shine a spotlight on three women in the Santa Ynez Chumash community who have ...
05/11/2026

In honor of Mother's Day, we are proud to shine a spotlight on three women in the Santa Ynez Chumash community who have played an important role in preserving an integral part of our culture: traditional basketweaving.

Working with master basket weaver Abe Sanchez, under the stewardship of the tribe’s Culture Department, Mercy Weller, Suzanna Hammel-Sawyer, and Lisa Valencia have studied the traditional practice of weaving including gathering and preparing material, each completing several detailed baskets. Thanks to their focus and dedication, these incredible women have played an important role in ensuring that this vital artistry is alive and well for future generations of the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians.

Each of these talented weavers have pieces on display in our Permanent Exhibit, which can be explored during museum hours Thursday through Sunday, from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Address

3500 Numancia Street
Santa Ynez, CA
93460

Opening Hours

Thursday 10am - 5pm
Friday 10am - 5pm
Saturday 10am - 5pm
Sunday 10am - 5pm

Telephone

+18056867500

Website

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