The early museum focused on the Colorado Desert and the Cahuilla and other Indigenous Americans. The museum grew and was temporarily relocated within a section of the town's library. During World War II, the museum was operated by biologist T. D. A. Cockerell.
The early museum focused on the Colorado Desert and the Cahuilla people, which was later expanded and temporarily housed in a section of the town library during World War II.  T. D. A. Cockerell managed the museum during this period.