Morongo Basin Historical Museum

02/16/2026

We’re excited to share this piece from SFGATE spotlighting Yucca Valley’s Rat Pack era and Frank Sinatra’s connection to the desert.

The Morongo Basin Historical Museum was glad to contribute local context, archival insight, and historical perspective to help tell this story accurately and with care. These moments matter. They’re part of how our desert became what it is today.

If you’ve ever wondered how Hollywood history found its way into the High Desert, this one’s worth the read.

The Rat Pack helped make Palm Springs. They tried to hide their other desert spot.

02/05/2026

Those vintage shades don’t lie.
👀 We’re OPEN.
Saturdays, 11am–3pm, starting this weekend.
Free admission. Desert history included.

01/22/2026

After two recent earthquakes shook the Morongo Basin this week, it’s worth remembering a powerful moment in our local history.

In June 1992, our region experienced the Landers Earthquake, one of the most scientifically important earthquakes in U.S. history. Leaving scars still visible today.

Here’s a little-known fact: the earthquake didn’t actually start in Landers.
The epicenter was near Johnson Valley.

So why the name? Earthquakes are usually named after the nearest recognizable community. In 1992, Johnson Valley was sparsely populated, while Landers appeared clearly on maps and in early reports. The name stuck.

What made this quake extraordinary:
• It ruptured five faults over nearly 50 miles
• The ground shifted sideways by up to 18 feet in places
• It triggered earthquakes as far away as Yellowstone
• It helped reshape modern earthquake science and building codes
• It was followed just hours later by the Big Bear Earthquake

History lives beneath our feet. Understanding it helps us prepare for what comes next.

12/24/2025

From our archives to your feed.
This holiday season, we’re sharing newly colorized winter photographs from the Joan Wilson Collection, highlighting a rare snowy Christmas in the Morongo Basin and the moments that made it memorable.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS ❄️

12/07/2025

Night @ the Museum! Sunday 3p-7p

Neon nights. Desert days. Vintage vibes. Atomic dreams.
Join us Dec 7 for a pop-up celebrating the 50s, 60s & 70s in full Hi-Dez technicolor.🌵✨🍸

11/24/2025

Neon nights. Desert days. Vintage vibes. Atomic dreams.
Join us Dec 7 for a pop-up celebrating the 50s, 60s & 70s in full Hi-Dez technicolor.🌵✨🍸

08/08/2025

We're taking a short summer break! ☀️ The Museum will be closed for the month of August as we escape the desert heat and take time to reflect — including on the life of our dear friend and member, Mary Ellen Walsh Friesen. 💐

Read our latest newsletter for a special tribute and more updates: https://bit.ly/46NQVUa

06/08/2025

Save the date for a special screening and fundraiser for the Museum at The Tiny Pony on June 29th!

Listen to a longer version of Sunday's radio story here: Unknown voice: "June 28th, 4:55 in the morning in 1992. Turned the radio on to hear a noise, it shook the trailer off the jacks. Everything in the house is upset down. The ground is still trembling as I'm speaking. Early in the morning.

05/09/2025

RSVP:
https://mbhistoricalsociety.org/saturdays-in-the-sand

05/08/2025

RSVP: mbhistoricalsociety.org/saturdays-in-the-sand

Join landscape designer and ISA Certified Arborist Marinna Wagner for Saturdays in the Sand this Saturday (5/10) at the Morongo Basin Historical Museum, where she will be exploring the evolving work of ecological restoration in the Morongo Basin. Drawing from her nursery experience with the Moja

02/25/2025

Join us March 15 for Saturdays in the Sand with Sant Khalsa, plus explore rare artifacts like a vintage Boy Scouts flag from Troop 79!

📖 Read more & plan your visit: https://mbhistoricalsociety.org/march-2025-newsletter