Speaker Series | Flying High with Art Thompson **Moved to Oct 19**
2023-08-17 | CA
DATE CHANGE:
Due to a scheduling conflict, our Thursday evening presentation by Art Thompson must be canceled. Art has gracefully agreed to reschedule for Thursday, October 19th.
Updates will be sent again in October.
The Second in the Antelope Valley Rural Museum’s Speaker Series.
Flying High with Art Thompson
Art Thompson from A2ZFX, Sage Cheshire Aerospace and technical director of the Red Bull Stratos program will join the Antelope Valley Rural Museum for an energetic evening of photos, videos, and discussion on inspiration and thinking outside of the box. The topics Art will discuss include inspiring the next generation from B2, Batmobile, and the world’s largest paper airplane to Red Bull Stratos and rocket planes. Join the Antelope Valley Rural Museum and Art to share the photos, videos and discuss breaking the internet while capturing the imagination of the world.

2023 AV Fair & Alfalfa Festival
2023-09-22 16:00 - 2023-10-01 23:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | AV Fairgrounds, 2551 West Avenue H, Suite 102, Lancaster, CA, 93536, United States
SEPT 22 – OCT 1!

MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR 9 DAYS OF FAIR FUN!

Join us for “A Barn Good Time” this fall at this year’s AV Fair & Alfalfa Festival! To learn more about what you can expect at this year’s AV Fair – click here!

PRE-SALE TICKETS ON SALE NOW – CLICK HERE!
DATES & HOURS
The 2023 AV Fair is happening Friday, September 22nd through Sunday, October 1st, 2023 (closed Wednesday, 9/27).

Fri, 9/22:
4 pm-12 am

Sat, 9/23 & Sun, 9/24
2 pm-12 am

Mon, 9/25 & Tue, 9/26
4 pm-12 am

Wed, 9/27
CLOSED

Thur, 9/28 & Fri, 9/29
4 pm-12 am

Sat, 9/30
2 pm-12 am

Sun, 10/1
2 pm-11 pm

Speaker Series | Flying High with Art Thompson
2023-10-19 18:30 - 21:00 | AVRM @ AV Fairgrounds, Lancaster, CA, United States
The Second in the Antelope Valley Rural Museum’s Speaker Series.
Flying High with Art Thompson
Art Thompson from A2ZFX, Sage Cheshire Aerospace and technical director of the Red Bull Stratos program will join the Antelope Valley Rural Museum for an energetic evening of photos, videos, and discussion on inspiration and thinking outside of the box. The topics Art will discuss include inspiring the next generation from B2, Batmobile, and the world’s largest paper airplane to Red Bull Stratos and rocket planes. Join the Antelope Valley Rural Museum and Art to share the photos, videos and discuss breaking the internet while capturing the imagination of the world.

Speaker Series | Camels in the Antelope Valley presented by Steve Sterk
2024-01-18 18:00 - 21:00 | AVRM @ AV Fairgrounds, Lancaster, CA, United States
The third in the Antelope Valley Rural Museum’s Speaker Series. Camels in the Antelope Valley presented by Steve Sterk a 4th generation native of Lancaster, California. He is a researcher, whose quest is to find the exact wagon trail route taken by his great-grandfather(s) ×4; Cyprian and Joseph Jones, who were the Wagon Train Masters. The Jones clan brought out three separate wagon trains from Independence, Missouri to California’s gold country, near Placerville, in the 1862-1872 timeframe. Steve’s original research led him to an article written by Gary Nabhan, 2008, University of Arizona and the Journal of the Arizona Historical Society. Mr. Sterk is also a Historian; he has scribed his Family Tree on Ancestry.com with over 2,500 names and 35 samples of his family’s DNA to trace his roots.
Museum is open from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Lecture begins at 7:00 pm
Limited seating so RSVP’s are appreciated.
Contact email: avmuseum@verizon.net or text 661-478-4841

Speaker Series | Spy Pilot, Francis Gary Powers, the U-2 Incident, and a Controversial Cold War Legacy
2024-03-17 11:00 - 12:00 | AVRM @ AV Fairgrounds, Lancaster, CA, United States
The Fourth in the Antelope Valley Rural Museum’s Speaker Series.
Spy Pilot, Francis Gary Powers, the U-2 Incident, and a Controversial Cold War Legacy
By Francis Gary Powers Jr.
The speech is from 11:00 to 12:00 with book signing to follow.
Pizza, soda, water, hot tea and coffee will be available.
In conjunction with AlAA, you do not need to be a member of AIAA to attend the event and it is also free of charge.
Door open at 10:00 am
Lecture begins at 11:00 am
**RSVP**
aiaa.av@gmail.com by (no later than) Saturday, March 16, 2024

Speaker Series | Mary Kaye Godde Stamets, author of “Desert Almond Farmer: The Story of a California Homesteader and His Family
2024-03-21 19:00 - 21:00 | AVRM @ AV Fairgrounds, Lancaster, CA, United States
The Fifth in the Antelope Valley Rural Museum’s Speaker Series.
Desert Almond Farmer: The Story of a California Homesteader and His Family
Presented by Mary Kaye Godde Stamets
Stamets also illustrated the book, which is suitable for all ages. In the book Stamets tells the story of her grandfather Frederick Godde (1863-1930), who with his wife Mary Weber Godde (1868-1940) homesteaded 160 acres of desert land in the Antelope Valley. The couple had nine children.
Frederick Godde died before Stamets was born. In her preface she writes, “Writing his story using his voice helped me understand him and increased my awe of farmers.” She relied on government documents, newspaper accounts, family records, and her own experience on the homestead to tell the story.
Local old-timers will recognize the name Godde as that of a pioneering family that settled and grew almonds in the area that is now Quartz Hill and west Palmdale. Almond orchards eventually gave way to housing developments, including Godde Estates.
The author was born in Lancaster and grew up among almond trees on her grandfather’s land. She has been writing since she was a youngster. Her biography states, “She started to write professionally as a contract negotiator, preparing research and development contracts with scientists and engineers at the Air Force Rocket Propulsion Laboratory (at Edwards Air Force Base).”
Stamets lives in the greater Sacramento area with her husband Leigh. Mary Kaye will be available to autograph her books, which will be available to purchase in the museum.
Parking and Admission is free. Donations are Welcome.
Museum is open from 5:30 pm to 9:00 pm
Lecture begins at 7:00 pm
**Limited seating – RSVP**
Contact email: avmuseum@verizon.net or text 661-478-4841

Speaker Series | Transition to ZERO-EMISSION Rail Transportation Powered by Hydrogen Fuel Cell
2024-06-20 07:00 - 20:00 | AVRM @ AV Fairgrounds, Lancaster, CA, United States
The 6th in the Antelope Valley Rural Museum’s Speaker Series.
Transition to ZERO-EMISSION Rail Transportation Powered by Hydrogen Fuel Cell
Presented by Gordon V. Jefferson
Museum open : 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Lecture begins : 7:00 pm
Gordon Jefferson will join the Antelope Valley Rural Museum for an evening of photos, videos and discussion on the history and the future of Hydrogen Fuel Cell (HFC) power, especially as it applies to railroading. In the mid 1970’s, while employed as an Electronic Engineer at NASA’s Jet Propulsion LAB in Pasadena, CA, Gordon was a member of the Mariner spacecraft design team. Mariner is the 1st craft sent to MARS. Gordon was a leader of the team that designed and implemented the craft’s electrical power system using HFC technologies. Today he is a Founding Member of the Hydrogen Fuel Cell Train Association. www.hfcta.org.
**RSVP**
Limited seating – RSVP to:
avmuseum@verizon.net or text to 661-478-4841
Parking and Admission is free. Donations are Welcome.

6th Annual AV Rural Museum Flapjack Fundraiser
2025-03-01 08:00 - 10:00 | Lancaster Applebee’s, 43545 10th Street West, Lancaster, 93534, United States
Saturday, March 1 | 8 – 10 am
Lancaster Applebee’s
43545 10th Street West
$12 preorder
or $15 at the door
Breakfast includes pancakes, syrup, butter, scrambled eggs, sausage, orange juice, and coffee.
Tickets $12 – Buy Now >
/ / / TICKET PREORDER PAYMENT OPTIONS:
• Click the button above to preorder by (PayPal or credit card):
• Purchase tickets from any AVRM Board Member
• On our website through general donations: avmuseum.org/donations
*Be sure to write “Flapjack Fundraiser” with your name in the comments box.
• Email avmuseum@verizon.net
• Text 661-478-4841
Tickets will be held at the door. See you there!
Thank you from your Museum Board

FUND RAISIN’ FOR A BARN RAISIN’ 2026
2026-05-30 16:00 - 20:00 | AVRM @ AV Fairgrounds, Lancaster, CA, United States
As our May 30th fundraiser date approaches, the Antelope Valley Rural Museum (AVRM) is asking businesses and individuals to help us raise money to continue our mission and growth.
• We are looking for donations of items for our silent auction, as well as gift cards and gift baskets for our raffle.

• Would you like to purchase individual dinner tickets or sponsor a table for eight?
The Antelope Valley Rural Museum Board and members ask you to partner with us to help preserve, display, and grow. Come enjoy good food, great company, and celebrate the history of the Antelope Valley. Please see the ticket sales links and details below.
The Antelope Valley Rural Museum honors the history of the Antelope Valley with documentation, preservation, exhibition, and education. We have our beautiful Museum at the Antelope Valley Fairgrounds. We honor our local history with Aerospace, Military, Rural Olympics, historical artifacts, Farming, and local historical displays. One of our primary goals this year is raising money for a Phase 2 addition to our current building.
Thank you for your consideration; we hope to see you at the fundraiser.
Sincerely,
The Board of Directors of the Antelope Valley Rural Museum
Saturday, May 30, 2026 | 4 pm – 8 pm
Museum will be open: 4 pm – 5 pm
Dinner served: 6 pm – 7 pm
Location:
Antelope Valley Fairgrounds
in the Antelope Valley Rural Museum
2551 West Avenue H, Enter Gate #3
*Please note, Entry Gate may be subject to change.
BBQ Tri-Tip & Chicken
By Jeff Godde & John Recca
$65 per person
or $440 per table of 8
