The Kern County Museum had their first “Homecoming Celebration” to show off new and updated exhibits on Sept. 26. 

After being closed for over a year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the KC Museum is now back open. For the “Homecoming Celebration,” admission was only $5 for ages 13 and older while kids 12 and under got in for free. To go along with the new buildings in Pioneer Village, the KC Museum had docents there to offer tours to visitors. Masks were not required outside but they were mandatory inside the buildings. 

Numerous people visited the museum for this event but the museum was large enough to keep a COVID safe distance. 

Brenna Charatsaris, a KC Museum employee who is in charge of the museum’s events, said the homecoming was so everyone could see the changes made to the museum as a whole and so everyone remembers how it was like spending time at Pioneer Village before.

“We had new areas that really hadn’t been seen by the public that we had been working on through the pandemic,” Charatsaris stated. “We wanted to open the old spaces and show off the new.”

The Museum had over 30 new projects and newly updated buildings in Pioneer Village. Each building had a sign on the outside explaining what it was, its history, and what sponsor had helped with the exhibit. On the inside, the docents gave a tour and more information on the exhibits. 

One of the biggest updates the museum had was the addition of the “Watson Transportation Exhibit.” Inside were numerous historic mobiles from carriages and wagons to a Ford Model T Sedan and an old National Hot Rod Association race car. 

“The Transportation Exhibit is just amazing,” Charatsaris said while explaining why this new exhibit is a must-see for visitors. “So many donations, volunteer and staff hours went into every detail.”

Other updates in the museum were in the “Lori Block Discovery Center” and the “Mission Bank Neon Plaza” which now has 25 neon signs on display. 

Charatsaris encourages those who have not to go and explore what the museum has to offer.

“[The KC Museum is a] wonderful place to live your history and make beautiful memories with your family,” Charatsaris stated. “Come explore and reminisce!”

The KC Museum’s next event will be the “Village Flea” on Oct. 10 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. More information on this event and others can be found on the Kern County Museum website.