BAKERSFIELD, Calif. — The Buena Vista Museum of Natural History and Science, located in downtown Bakersfield is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year.

On Saturday, they welcomed customers back for the first time in eight months, opening from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The museum expressed concerns about having to close again if Kern County moves back into the purple tier this coming week, but they remain optimistic.

The museum shares that they had a total of 16 customers visit Saturday, but are hoping for more.
"Well at the museum there is a lot of space to be able to socially distance and we are also only open at 25 parent capacity, according to the governor," said Koral Hancharick, executive director of Buena Vista Museum of Natural History and Science.

The multi-level exhibit museum has made covid related changes.

Those changes include--giving away free masks, placing hand sanitizing stations throughout the building, and closing some hands-on-exhibits.

The museum has also added over 20 science educationvideos online, which include experiments for kids and lectures for adults.

The executive director of the museum says while previously closed, they added a new front gate and have added other upgrades.

The museum says in 2019 they saw over 20,000 visitors, but this year they have estimated only 4,000.

Sharing a great deal of their income comes from admission and donations. The museum expresses concerns about having to close again if Kern County moves back into the purple tier this coming week.

"It's been pretty difficult and we have not had any income at this time, but we were fortunate to receive a PPE loan and Kerns Recovery grant and that is what has sustained us at this time," said Hancharick.