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Here's a "raw report" press release from the local museums:

Smithsonian offers free day at two county museums
 
Doors to both the Kern County Museum and Bakersfield Museum of Art will open free of charge on Sept. 27, for “Museum Day,” presented by Smithsonian magazine. Admission is free for Smithsonian magazine readers and Smithsonian.com visitors.

Attendees must present Smithsonian magazine’s Museum Day Admission Card to gain free entry. The card is available in the September issue of Smithsonian magazine and a downloadable version is available on the Museum Day Web site at www.smithsonian.com/museumdaycard. The general public is welcome to participate by going to the Smithsonian.com Web site and downloading the Museum Day Admission Card.

Museum Day is a day when museums and cultural institutions nationwide celebrate culture, learning and knowledge. It reflects the spirit of the magazine and emulates the free-admission policy of the Smithsonian Institution’s Washington, DC-based facilities.

“We will include free tours of the Howell House on this wonderful day to showcase both of these outstanding museums, and we are hopeful many Kern County residents will take advantage of this free admission day,” said Carola Enriquez, Kern County Museum director.

Kern County Museum was founded in 1941 and features 56 historic exhibits, an award winning hands-on oil exhibition Black Gold: The Oil Experience and the Lori Brock Children's Discovery Center for youth ages eight and under.

The Bakersfield Museum of Art provides exhibition and preservation of fine art, educational programs, community outreach and special events. New exhibits rotate through the galleries each year, featuring a wide variety of artistic styles from varying historical periods.

The Kern County Museum is located at 3801 Chester Avenue, (661) 852-5000, www.kcmuseum.org. Hours of operation are Monday-Saturday 10 a.m.—5 p.m. and Sundays  12—5 p.m. Closed major holidays.

Bakersfield Museum of Art is located at 1930 R Street, (661) 323-7219, www.bmoa.org. Hours of operation are Tuesday-Friday 10 a.m.-4p.m., Thursdays until 7:30 p.m., Saturday-Sunday 12-4 p.m. Closed Monday and holidays.