EARLY CALIFORNIANSBy Matthew KolbANTH 100: Non-Western Cultures and Western TraditionInstructor: Steven R. JamesApril 23, 2014INTRODUCTIONThe Bowers Museum is located in the heart of downtown Santa Ana at 2002 N. Main Street . The museum's mission is "to enrich lives through the world's best arts and cultures." It is named for Orange County real estate developer Charles Bowers, who donated the land after his death. The museum was founded in 1936 by the city of Santa Ana. The mission-style building and surrounding housing were expanded six times their original size to nearly 100,000 square feet. Today, the museum hosts a wide variety of events and exhibitions. They also offer conferences, events and children's programs. Current installations include: Animal Mummies, Beethoven and The Lure of Chinatown. The museum also houses permanent exhibits that summarize the historical significance of premodern California cultures. These include: California: The Golden Years, California Heritages: Missions and Ranches, and Early Californians. Overall, the Bowers Museum offers a wonderful display of art and culture from diverse cultures around the world. MUSEUM EXHIBITION 1) Artifact Exhibition The exhibit I will be focusing my research on is called First Californians. The exhibit encompasses many different artifacts relating to California's early Native Americans. All items are displayed behind glass cases with a brief description of how they were used. Artifacts from many tribes are on display. However, the two largest tribes featured are the Chumash natives of the Northern Channel Islands and the Gabreilino (Tongva) natives of present-day Los Angeles and Orange County areas. In the center of the room was... middle of paper ... humash houses were hemispherical in shape and measured up to 55 feet in diameter. They were constructed from arched posts covered with grass. Generally, several families within the tribe shared the same accommodation. Members slept on raised beds separated by hanging rugs to provide privacy. The mats also served as doors to separate the dwelling from the exterior elements. A fireplace was present in the center of the structure to provide heat while a circular vent in the ceiling allowed smoke to escape. The houses were grouped together in the village to provide security and community. Shelter was an essential part of Chumash survival. They provided shelter from the elements as well as a sense of unity within the village.Village LifestyleWorld ViewEuro-American Contact and AftermathEuropeans first contacted the Chumash in 1542 AD (Chumash Island P. 1).