Founded in 1928 in Independence and later operated by Inyo County, the Eastern California Museum grew from local efforts to preserve Owens Valley history as older lifeways, sites, and artifacts seemed at risk of being lost. Its early leaders organized exhibits in the Inyo County Courthouse before a dedicated building, made possible by G. Walter and Maude Dow, opened in 1968. The museum is especially noted for strong collections on Owens Valley and the eastern Sierra, including Owens Valley Paiute and Timbisha baskets, more than 27,000 historic photographs, images from Manzanar, mining equipment, and exhibits on regional history, while also overseeing two historic houses in Independence.