A new display at the Old Schoolhouse Museum in Twentynine Palms explores pioneer dentist Dr. Robert “Doc” Smeton’s love for the desert through art and gold mining. The exhibit features art by noted desert artist John Hilton as well as Smetonās tools of the dental trade. Smeton, who recently moved to Washington state, served as a dentist in Twentynine Palms for 30 years, and collected Hiltonās artworks. The Old Schoolhouse Museum, located on National Park Drive in Twentynine Palms, is open Wednesdays through Sundays fromĀ 1 to 4 p.m.
OLD SCHOOLHOUSE MUSEUM FEATURING SMETON AND HILTON
This whimsical painting of Dr. Robert "Doc" Smeton's dental office was gifted to him by artist Elsie Grace. It's not clear if she created it as the work is unsigned. (Twentynine Palms Historical Society photo by Kelly O'Sullivan)