Barona Cultural Center & Museum, San Diego

 The Barona Cultural Center & Museum is well worth a visit, if you are in the area.  It is just pass the casino.  It features an enjoyable 20-minute video about the Baronas' story of the creation of the earth and human beings.  It is a very well done movie with some 3D features, like campfire smells and vibrations.  

The museum is small, but has some very interesting exhibits.  There is information about the Barona bird singers and the many centuries of Barona history in the area.  I was intrigued to learn that noted San Diego architect, Irving Gill, designed some single-family homes for the community.  There are also photographs of notable community members, may of them have had distinguished service in the military.  I wish there were more example of baskets.  The region is known for outstanding basketry artists.  I read Justin F. Farmer's book, "Southern California Luiseno Indian Baskets" and I'm always interested in seeing more samples.

There is a good bookstore.  I bought books about Kumeyaay ethnobotany, Irving Gill and "Century of Dishonor" by Helen Hunt Jackson.

It was a beautiful drive through the canyon.  I'm not a gambler, so we didn't stop at the casino.  I wish we had stopped in for lunch.  Next time.

                                                A scene from the movie

                                                   Two enormous rattlesnakes