Bakersfield.com

larger view

           Several major renovation and rehabilitation projects are taking place at the Kern County Museum, located at 3801 Chester Ave., in Bakersfield. The Kern County Museum Foundation announced Oct. 21 that a thorough, 18-month study has been completed and visitors will start seeing major changes taking place beginning Oct. 27 as the renovation efforts begin.

 “The Foundation has been very busy the last 18 months completing a myriad of studies necessary to renovate the museum’s front entrance,” said Foundation Chairman Mike Ansolabehere. “The renovation, relocating the historic J.J. Lopez/Hill House to the museum grounds and repair of existing museum structures are on the Foundation’s radar this year. We are poised to develop a museum reflecting our great community, thanks to terrific support from the County and leadership from Kern County Superintendent of Schools Larry E. Reider.”

            Funded privately by the Crail Brown Trust and Dolores Cerro Trust, the most immediate and noticeable improvement will be the $282,000 Window Project involving re-installation of five large windows in the museum’s gallery this winter. Designed in consultation with historic architect George Taylor Louden AIA, the project includes removing the Main Museum Building’s mezzanine and plastic downspouts, added to the structure after the 1952 earthquake. Supplemental funding comes from a $125,000 State of California grant.

Exterior renovations of the building involve a larger comprehensive landscape redesign of the museum’s front entrance by award-winning landscape architectural firm Nuvis, Inc. of San Ramon.  A re-interpreted eastern entrance will include a “Ceremonial Terrace” named in honor of Bakersfield businessman and philanthropist Jim Burke. A new fountain will be part of the “Grand Lawn” landscape renovation. Existing palm trees that bookend the building will be relocated to fit into the new enhanced design.

“In the coming months there will be a tremendous visible improvement to the museum grounds,” said Ansolabehere. “I invite the community to enjoy the rich history of Kern County and the people that made it great by visiting the museum.”

                   For more information regarding the renovations or to donate, please contact Heather Fowler, foundation director at (661) 852-5020.