Why Membership?

By becoming a member today you can enjoy many benefits such as free year-round admission to the Museum, 10% discount at our Museum Store, and invitations to our exclusive exhibitions, artist’s receptions, and other community events. One of these is The Olaf Wieghorst Museum and Western Heritage Center annual “Wieghorst Western Heritage Days”. This family friendly Museum event is held at the Museum the first weekend of June, and is free to the public. History comes alive with Western music, Western food, and various homemade crafts for sale. Actors portraying Buffalo Soldiers, Blacksmiths, and Mountain Men, re-enacting their way of life, mingle with the public. There’s also a Children’s Pavilion where children can learn about some of the games played in the Old West.

	Patron	Trail Boss	Pioneer	Buffalo Scout	Adventurer	Art Advocate	Family	Individual
Free Museum Admission
Invitation to Events and Exhibitions
10 % Discount to Museum Store
Discount for Two to All Museum Events	100%	50%	25%	20%	10%
Free Olaf Wieghorst Quarter Circle 2C Tee Shirts	Two	Two	Two	One

Education has always been a major focus of the Olaf Wieghorst Museum, and through our members support, history is passed down to future generations through The Children’s Western Heritage Education Program. This program, in partnership with the Cajon Valley School District, allows over 3,200 3rd and 4th grade students to use school buses for educational field trips, paid for by funds provided by the Museum.

In addition, each spring since 1982, the US House of Representatives has sponsored a nation-wide high school arts competition called “The Congressional Artistic Discovery Contest”. It’s an opportunity for Congress to recognize and encourage new artistic talent in our nation, as well as in each Congressional District, and the Wieghorst Museum is proud to play a part. This year the Museum was pleased to host the reception and judging of approximately 20 finalists from the 52nd district, with Congressman Duncan D. Hunter there to present the Awards. All of the finalist’s art work hangs in the Olaf Wieghorst Museum for one month, and the artwork of the Grand Prize winner of each district is displayed in the U.S. Capitol for one year. Since its inception over 650,000 high school students have been involved in this nationwide competition.

Your membership support enables the Museum to acquire, preserve and display valuable historical collections, enhance the education of our local youth and maintain the Museum grounds. Most recently, the original home of Mae and Olaf Wieghorst was moved to the Museum grounds and designated a “Historic Landmark” by the city of El Cajon. The restoration of the home to its original condition, including landscaping, has been completed and the home is now open for public tours.