Lake Havasu's Museum Offers Exhibits and Gift Shop

Travelers to Lake Havasu City, Arizona, who are seeking more than just sun and water sports, might wish to investigate the Lake Havasu Museum of History. There visitors can explore the fascinating story of this southwest tourist community and discover there is more to Lake Havasu City's past than just the London Bridge.

The museum first opened its doors in 2001, and since that time the local historical society has been busy expanding its exhibits and displays. There is an extensive exhibit on the Chemehuevi Tribe, which is the Native American tribe whose reservation is located on the California side of Lake Havasu.

There are also exhibits featuring the stories of the local steamboats, mining, the building of Parker Dam, natural history, the story of the London Bridge, and its arrival in the desert community, along with many stories telling the founding of the community.

Researchers who visit the museum will discover an extensive collection of area newspapers, dating back to the town's early days in the 1960's. It also has an extensive map collection, as well as photographs.

Located in the parking lot of the museum is the actual jail that was used in the town's early days. Each year the museum hosts an annual Jailathon, where sponsors are locked up for a donation.

One of the most recent additions to the museum, which has not yet arrived, is a Gyroplane, which has been donated to the organization. The city's founder, Robert McCulloch, conceived the notion of an "airplane in every garage". The Gyroplane, a hybrid combination of helicopter and airplane, was intended to fulfill that dream, and during the early 1970's Gyroplanes were manufactured in Lake Havasu City.

On Tuesday afternoons the museum offers free matinees to its visitors. The matinee schedule is listed on the museum website, located at www.HavasuMuseum.org. Visitors to the website can also view exhibit photos and order books from the museum's online bookstore. Those who wish to join the historical society, to support the museum, can also do that at the website.

The museum is located next door to the local Chamber of Commerce office, at 320 London Bridge Road. It is open Tuesdays through Saturdays, from 1 to 4 p.m. There is a $2 admission fee for those who are not members of the Lake Havasu Historical Society. Children 12 and under, can enter free if accompanied by an adult.

Located in the museum is the Museum Gift Shop, featuring a wide array of merchandise, including books, artwork, artifacts and souvenirs. There is no admission fee to visit the museum store.

If local history interests you, make a visit to the Lake Havasu Museum of History the next time you visit the desert community.