Military in the Mojave: An Enduring Legacy of Service in the High Desert

About the Program

Category: Arts, Culture and Historic Preservation (Best in Category)

Year: 2022

In March 2021, the San Bernardino County Museum opened Military in the Mojave: An Enduring Legacy of Service in the High Desert at its branch museum site in Apple Valley, the Victory Valley Museum. This bilingual exhibit is a multidisciplinary story and representation of the vast impact that the military has had on the High Desert communities and the integral role it has played in the local culture for over eight decades. The various military bases and training centers within the High Desert region emerged in the mid-twentieth century as a significant force, and they have forever shaped the economy and culture of the desert communities. Additionally, they have also created a legacy of national and local pride that continues to this day. The exhibit engages audiences by illuminating the rich and diverse history of the military presence within the region, including the impact it had on local residents, the hardships and barriers that women and those a part of the Latinx community overcame while serving in the military, and highlighting local heroes who served their country in the armed forces.