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The Town of Yucca Valley bestowed the Spirit of Yucca Valley Achievement Award on Ms. Evelyn Conklin, whose contribution to the Town began as a child with a fascination for rocks. Evelyn’s love of nature and, in particular, the high Desert led to her establishing a museum, an 800-square-foot building in Jacobs Park that resembled a tool shed. The Spirit of Yucca Valley Achievement Award, established in 2019, recognizes individuals with significant accomplishments in education and the Arts. Evelyn Conklin was awarded the Spirit of Yucca Valley Award on October 11. Evelyn has been honored by many organizations over the years but remains humble.
Educated in Pasadena and La Verne, California, where she majored in Botany, Evelyn and her father, Percy “Slim” Jackson, established the Trailside Nature Museum in San Dimas Canyon Park under the Los Angeles County Park and Recreation Department. In the 1950s, she was asked to assist in the development of other nature museums throughout Southern California, which she declined; however, her concept for a nature museum inspired other museums with natural history expansions, such as the Arboretum, Los Angeles County Museum, and Santa Barbara Nature Museum. Throughout this time, Evelyn and her family loved the Desert. They purchased land in Pipes Canyon and spent time exploring and studying the area. In the summer of 1964, Evelyn Conklin responded to a newspaper ad by Jerry Moore, then the Yucca Valley Parks and Recreation Director, asking for recreation suggestions. Evelyn was the sole respondent, and she suggested a nature museum. Members of the local park board visited an exhibit Evelyn had created in her own home and decided to approve adding a museum to the park program.
Because Evelyn was a naturalist and an extensive traveler, the 800-square-foot Hi-Desert Nature Museum in Jacobs Park was established, with most exhibits displaying her collection items. The museum opened its doors in October 1964, but the grand opening was held on January 21.
As the Curator of the Hi-Desert Nature Museum, Evelyn Conklin moved the museum to its new location, a 3,200-square-foot building at the newly built Yucca Valley Community Center, in November of 1973. The museum was expanded again in 1989 with a room addition to house taxidermy specimens in diorama settings.
Evelyn served as Curator of the Hi-Desert Nature Museum for 28 years. Many of her contributions to the Hi-Desert Nature Museum are still evident today. From its inception, education was a priority at the museum. Visitors would visit the museum to identify and research local plants and animals, including wildflowers, insects, and reptiles. Evelyn established the mini-zoo, which includes several species, including snakes and lizards. One particular snake, Greenella the Green Mojave Rattlesnake, was featured in a film on a state aqueduct project. Evelyn’s collection was so extensive she developed a rotating exhibit system including gem and mineral specimens, shells, insects, and birds’ eggs/nests. Her displays also included mounted specimens, including local mammals and birds. Evelyn created the “Glow Room,” which is still used today. Inside, visitors can see the fluorescent properties of rocks and minerals, which “glow” under the black light. Evelyn also displayed rotating exhibits featuring local artists, which is still being done today.
Ms. Celeste Hilderbrand, Supervisor of the Hi-Desert Nature Museum, said, “Evelyn Conklin’s contributions to the museum have been preserved over the years, including the use of rotating exhibits, artist spotlights, the mini-zoo, and mineral glow room. As our community grows and changes, it will be important to continue Evelyn’s vision and contributions while ensuring the museum presents relevant and useful information to the community and its visitors.” Celeste Hilderbrand added, “Growing up locally, I have many fond memories of visiting the museum and have had the privilege of bringing my children to the museum as well. I have so much admiration and respect for Evelyn, her vision, and the fortitude it took for her to create the museum and ensure it remained operational throughout the years. The museum she started brings together and celebrates local art, culture, history, and science. It is a legacy the museum staff hopes to continue with programming, events, and exhibits. “
