Before it was California: Museum Family Fun Day

What did Native Americans do in their daily lives before the coming of the pioneers? On Saturday, June 5 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., the San Bernardino County Museum will present "Before It Was California," a Family Fun Day program that provides hands-on practice with Indian tools and games. The activities, organized by the museum education division and the Museum Youth Club, are free with museum admission.

Visitors can try out some of the tools and games that the Serrano and other southwestern Indians used in their daily lives: grind corn using a real mano and metate, and drill a hole in leather with an authentic pump drill. There will be demonstrations of rabbit sticks, spear throwing, and atlatls, and opportunities to test hand-eye coordination by playing games that trained young Indians to hunt. Children will also enjoy making a Serrano game to play at home.

"Before it Was California" is presented in conjunction with "Native American Traditions: Hopi Katsinas," showing in the museum's Fisk Gallery through September 12. The exhibit and program are sponsored in part by the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians.

The San Bernardino County Museum is at the California Street exit from Interstate 10 in Redlands. Admission is $6 (adult), $5 (senior or student) and $4 (child aged 5 to 12). Children under 5 and Museum Association members are admitted free. Parking is free, and the facility is handicapped-accessible. The museum's Garden Café will be open from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. for lunch, snacks, and beverages. For more information, visit www.sbcountymuseum.org or call (909) 307-2669 / TDD/TTY: (909) 792-1462.