Museum of the First People

Museum of the First People has one of the largest collections in Southern California regarding Mission Indian Art and Artifacts. The museum is located in Laguna Beach, California. California has 21 missions, started by Junipero Serra and his followers. Many of these missions still stand. What makes the Museum of the First People rare are the artifacts they managed to find from these early missions when they were filled with Spanish immigrants and Native Americans.

Some of the displays include items like tools, ceremonial items, pottery, baskets, and other art. For an educational experience it is one of the better small museums regarding Native and First People of California. Admission is also free and museum hours can vary, but are typically Monday through Saturday 10am to 5pm. There is one very large gallery of exhibits. The staff is very knowledgeable about the artifacts and history.

They have been known to appraise art and other old jewelry. The owner of the museum is Len Wood. He runs the museum as a family owned business, offering up his own knowledge from years of study to anyone who visits. While some of the art may be simplistic, it is nonetheless historically relevant.