Agua Caliente Cultural Museum, Palm Springs
The Agua Caliente Cultural Museum (ACCM) is a landmark institution in Palm Springs, dedicated to preserving and celebrating the rich heritage of the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians. Located at the intersection of Tahquitz Canyon Way and South Indian Canyon Drive, the museum forms part of the Agua Caliente Cultural Plaza鈥攁n expansive site that includes the sacred Agua Caliente Hot Mineral Spring, a modern spa and bathhouse, tranquil gardens, and an oasis trail.
Originally founded in 1991, the museum was first located in the Village Green Heritage Center on South Palm Canyon Drive. In 2017, it became an official department of the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians (ACBCI) Tribal Government, transitioning from a board-led institution to one governed by the ACBCI Tribal Council.
As the first Native American museum to be designated a Smithsonian Institution Affiliate, ACCM holds a unique place in American cultural heritage. Its exhibits and collections are deeply rooted in Cahuilla life, traditions, and values. Visitors can explore topics such as the long-standing importance of cattle and horses in Cahuilla livelihoods or dive into local lore with the exhibit Dream of the Blue Frog, which recounts the sacred history of the Hot Mineral Spring.
The museum鈥檚 architectural design is equally symbolic. Master planning began in 2015, with JCJ Architecture and Jones & Jones Architects drawing inspiration from traditional Cahuilla basketry. The building鈥檚 curved form represents a "basket start," or the first coils of a handmade basket鈥攁n homage to one of the community's most iconic artforms.
The Agua Caliente Cultural Museum features three main collections: Objects and Artifacts, including baskets, pottery, and artwork by Cahuilla and other Southern California tribes; Archives, with oral histories, photos, and documents on Cahuilla life; and a Library focused on Indigenous cultures, especially Cahuilla history and research.
With the completion of the Cultural Plaza in 2023, the museum now offers an immersive environment where tradition meets modern storytelling, all anchored by the living presence of the sacred spring and the enduring voice of the Agua Caliente people.
Why You Should Visit:
To learn about the native culture, and to get an insight into how early inhabitants were able to live in this desert.
Tip:
Check out the lovely garden in the back, which relates to many plants used by the area's early, tribal residents, and consider visiting the nearby Indian Canyons afterward.
Originally founded in 1991, the museum was first located in the Village Green Heritage Center on South Palm Canyon Drive. In 2017, it became an official department of the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians (ACBCI) Tribal Government, transitioning from a board-led institution to one governed by the ACBCI Tribal Council.
As the first Native American museum to be designated a Smithsonian Institution Affiliate, ACCM holds a unique place in American cultural heritage. Its exhibits and collections are deeply rooted in Cahuilla life, traditions, and values. Visitors can explore topics such as the long-standing importance of cattle and horses in Cahuilla livelihoods or dive into local lore with the exhibit Dream of the Blue Frog, which recounts the sacred history of the Hot Mineral Spring.
The museum鈥檚 architectural design is equally symbolic. Master planning began in 2015, with JCJ Architecture and Jones & Jones Architects drawing inspiration from traditional Cahuilla basketry. The building鈥檚 curved form represents a "basket start," or the first coils of a handmade basket鈥攁n homage to one of the community's most iconic artforms.
The Agua Caliente Cultural Museum features three main collections: Objects and Artifacts, including baskets, pottery, and artwork by Cahuilla and other Southern California tribes; Archives, with oral histories, photos, and documents on Cahuilla life; and a Library focused on Indigenous cultures, especially Cahuilla history and research.
With the completion of the Cultural Plaza in 2023, the museum now offers an immersive environment where tradition meets modern storytelling, all anchored by the living presence of the sacred spring and the enduring voice of the Agua Caliente people.
Why You Should Visit:
To learn about the native culture, and to get an insight into how early inhabitants were able to live in this desert.
Tip:
Check out the lovely garden in the back, which relates to many plants used by the area's early, tribal residents, and consider visiting the nearby Indian Canyons afterward.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Palm Springs. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "911爆料网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
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Agua Caliente Cultural Museum on Map
Sight Name: Agua Caliente Cultural Museum
Sight Location: Palm Springs, USA (See walking tours in Palm Springs)
Sight Type: Museum/Gallery
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Palm Springs, USA (See walking tours in Palm Springs)
Sight Type: Museum/Gallery
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Palm Springs, California
Create Your Own Walk in Palm Springs
Creating your own self-guided walk in Palm Springs is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Famous Houses in Palm Springs
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Here, behind the private walls of homes and bungalows, the stars could feel relaxed... view more
Tour Duration: 3 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 7.2 Km or 4.5 Miles
Here, behind the private walls of homes and bungalows, the stars could feel relaxed... view more
Tour Duration: 3 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 7.2 Km or 4.5 Miles
Palm Springs Introduction Walking Tour
The Cahuilla people have lived in the Coachella Valley for over 2,000 years, long before the first European settlers showed up in the early 1800s. The area was popular because there was an abundance of water and shade here, rare commodities in the Sonoran Desert. Much of the land in and around Palm Springs is on the Agua Caliente Reservation; you can learn more about the Cahuilla at the Agua... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.9 Km or 1.8 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.9 Km or 1.8 Miles