Buena Vista Museum of Natural History & Science

We are celebrating our 21st year of operation! The museum began at CALM with 800 sq. ft. and a small display of local fossils. Today we are in a 20,000 sq. ft. building with 16,000 sq. ft. of exhibits. Within the exhibits areas are many treasures from Kern County and the World. Local Fossils from Miocene Epoch (14 million years ago), including many rare, one of a kind and impressive fossilized specimens found on Shark Tooth Hill just Northeast of Bakersfield. Additionally, there are African, Asian and North American animals mounts, gems, minerals, significant collection of Petrified Woods, a Native American interpretive life size family dwelling area representing the local valley tribe the Yokuts and over 2,000 sq. ft. of mind stimulating hands-on science activities within the Oh! Zone. The Oh! Zone is an interactive Science exhibit area designed with children in mind, but has something for all ages to enjoy. BVMNH is the only museum in Central Californian that has Anatomy, Astronomy Anthropology, Archaeology, Biology, Geology, Paleontology and a discovery center all under one roof. Other areas within the museum are full working Paleo lab, Classroom, Research Library, Repository, workshop and storage area.