The Lompoc Museum is a non-profit organization that is supported by donations, membership fees,…read moregrants from local agencies, and an annual stipend from the City of Lompoc. Family membership is an extremely good deal at $25 a year or two years for $45. The Museum was formed in 1969 when Clarence "Pop" Ruth, a local educator, donated his extensive personal collection of archaeological materials to the City, on the condition that they be kept on display in the newly formed museum. At the same time, Lompoc had just constructed their new library on North Avenue, and the old Carnegie building stood vacant.
Upstairs in the museum are Native American materials, mostly Chumash; downstairs are historic displays, photographs, and fossils from the local diatomaceous earth mine. If you are a member of the Lompoc Museum Association, make sure you check out the small gift shop area on the main floor. You get a discount, and there are a lot of unique, interesting, and educational books and gifts and jewelry. The Museum is easy to find (its on south H Street across the street from the small city park and the big white church, right where the beautiful Italian Stone Pines begin) and it only costs a dollar to walk in.
