Tehachapi News

The holiday shopping season is here, and what better way to celebrate than by a unique and educational gift for everyone on your Christmas list! Although the fall tour season at Tomo Kahni State Historic Park is over this year, visitors are reminded that the Tomo Kahni Resource Center is open year-round.

The Center is located at 112 E. "F" Street, Suite A in downtown Tehachapi. Regular hours outside of tour season are Fridays and Saturdays noon to 4:00 pm.

In addition to offering exhibits on wildflowers, Native American artifacts and a small research library focusing on the Kawaiisu culture, the Resource Center features an ever-expanding gift shop. Even if you’ve visited before, we have new items coming in for the holiday season. Come and see the wider selection of books, stuffed animals, clothing and more. All items are priced with affordability in mind, from tumbled rocks to sweatshirts to jewelry. The inventory is geared toward interpretive items appropriate to the natural world of the Tehachapi Valley and the native Kawaiisu people, making a great chance to find that unique gift.

All proceeds from the gift shop fund maintenance of the facility, outreach and future community programs. Although the Poppy Reserve/Mojave Desert Interpretive Association (PR/MDIA) generously contributes toward the Resource Center rental expenses, their level of involvement is greatly dependent on income generated by the Antelope Valley wildflower displays, and 2006 was a poor year for poppies indeed.

Since the Resource Center is run as a labor of love by a dedicated group of volunteers, the gift shop acts as the sole source of income to keep the lights on and the school outreach craft programs running.

So, to keep this valuable Tehachapi educational facility available for the community, you are encouraged to stop by and do some of your Christmas shopping this year at the Tomo Kahni Resource Center. See you there!