Twentynine Palms Historical Society
29 Palms, California

Welcome!

"What draws us into the desert is the search for something intimate in the remote." ~Edward Abbey

HOLIDAY SALE
In Our Gift Shop
November 27~December 20

10% Off All Howard Pierce

10% Off All Purple Glass

December 23 & 24
All Sales 10% Off

Open Hours
Wednesday - Sunday
1pm to 4pm

The 2020-2021 Second Friday Lecture Series continues...
Friday, December 11th at 7:00pm with another DIGITAL EVENT.

Joshua Tree Fantastic
by De Karlen

"Joshua Tree National Park is wild, it's fierce, it's fragile, architectural, minimalist, and beautiful...it truly is fantastic!," says De Karlen on this iconic treasure – and, she helps take the mystery out of visiting the 16th largest park in the National Park System that graces our own backyard.

De Karlen is a Certified Interpretive Guide and she leads hikes with the Desert Institute at Joshua Tree National Park.

Sponsored by the Desert Institute at Joshua Tree National Park and the Twentynine Palms Historical Society, this virtual lecture is held on Friday, December 11 at 7 pm. The fee for the online presentation is $5.00 plus a $1.24 online processing fee.

To register for this virtual evening program, please call 760-367-5539 or browse to crowdcast.io/e/joshua-tree-fantastic/.

Click here for more information.

A book signing and reading of Chris Tiffany's new book One With The Creosote cover will be held on Saturday, December 12th at 1:00 P.M.

One With The Creosote – Memories of a Desert Child

With a blending of poetic imagery and journalistic prose, writer Chris Tiffany reflects on her childhood growing up on the Mojave Desert during the '50s and '60s, to reveal the origins of an interwoven connection to the natural world around her and its influence on her life's paths and perspectives.

This event will take place in the courtyard at the Old Schoolhouse Museum, 6760 National Park Dr., 29 Palms.

Face masks are required.
Social distancing will be enforced.

The 2020 Twentynine Palms
SM
was held on Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 7 & 8.

This years theme was Desert Skies.

The 2020 Weed Show rules and catecories can be seen by clicking the image below.

"DESERT SKIES."

A list of all 2020 winners can be found here.

Photos of all 2020 entries can be found on our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/29PalmsHistoricalSoc

Our Gift Shop Is Now Open
Wednesday - Sunday 1:00-4:00 PM

The Museum Remains Closed

Exhibit Renovations In Progress

However, we are not idle. We're making major renovations to our exhibits.
The first step was to clear some space so we can work. That meant moving most of the things out and into the classroom.

Noble Richardson Display

2020 Old Timer of the Year honoree
Jerri Hagman

The Twentynine Palms Historical Society is pleased to announce its 2020 Old Timer of the Year honoree, Jerri Hagman.

Jerri Hagman arrived with her younger twin sisters and parents Leslie and Corma Harness in 1959 from Oregon due to Leslie's health. Leslie found work with maintenance on the Base and Corma became the cook at Dean's Coffeehouse near Four Corners. During her teenage years Jerri worked for Charley and Helen Matherly at Dean's. Jerri was a loyal and hardworking young girl, with a contagious warmth and good nature. Charley and Helen were so fond of Jerri, they considered her family.

Jerri was graduated from Twentynine Palms High School in 1963. In 1965 she married Paul Hagman, a local Marine shortly before he was sent to Vietnam. Paul remained in the USMC and he and Jerri were stationed around the world with stints here in 29 Palms. Paul retired as an E-9 and they made their home in Apple Valley and 29 Palms.

Charley Matherly passed away in 1978 and left his homestead and business properties to Jerri. Many of those business properties were located in the Historic Plaza, including the Original 29 Palms Garage. She and Paul restored and expanded the Matherly homestead to become the Homestead Inn Bed and Breakfast. Jerri hired her older sister Judy Harness to be the manager and opened in1991. Their grand opening was a special Christmas Tour for the 29 Palms Historical Society. The Homestead Inn was host to numerous community and private dinners, celebrations and fundraising events. In 2005 Jerri converted it to an extended stay format that is still in operation. She has devoted decades to promoting the City of 29 Palms and tourism through many local and state associations.

Jerri was a primary force in creating the incredibly successful Sky's the Limit Observatory and Nature Center. She supported creating the City of 29 Palms Night Sky Ordinance. She served on the Sky's the Limit board for many years. She was an early member of the 29 Palms Historical Society and served on its board of directors. Jerri has been a Soroptimist and served on the board for Basin Wide Foundation. She was also a driving force in bringing the first Certified Farmers Market to 29 Palms.

Recently, Jerri donated a large Gilmore Oil Red Lion Gasoline tank to the Historical Society. The tank was used to provide fuel to the kiln at the block making plant in the Historic Plaza.

The "Old Timer of the Year" program was created to honor early or long-time residents who contributed significantly to the development or betterment of the Twentynine Palms' community. The program is intended to honor "everyday heroes" whose contributions and efforts over the years have largely gone unsung.

Once the museum reopens be sure to see our newest impermanent exhibit
featuring the art of recently deceased local artist Noble Richardson.

Noble Richardson Display