Autry Museum of the American West

The modern facility is a contradiction to the Old West story but the exhibits are authentic and extensive. Downstairs is necessarily dark but low light makes the signs hard to read. The main floor galleries are well designed and delightful. There’s a lot to see and the admission price is very low so it’s a good value.

This place is pretty rad as far as museums go. There’s interactive components, lots of different things for difference preferences (paintings, sculptures, costumes, fancy guns!)
Pro Tip: Are you a student? Bring your ID and get a nice discount!
Super Pro Tip: Want to see the whole thing for free and without crowds? Hit up an Eat See Hear outdoor movie night and enjoy the museum after hours and all to yourself :)

Came here for a Latin Jazz event and also had a chance to see a few of the galleries they kept open for the event.
Located straight across the entrance to the Los Angeles Zoo. Parking was very easy as they have free parking right by the entrance.
I was extremely impressed with the museum. All the interesting and cool artifacts from very elaborate saddles to toys and memorabilia. They even have a saddle you hop on and with a green screen background you can star in your own western movie. So much fun!
As far as the Latin Jazz event, it was lots of fun. The band was incredible and lots of people dancing to the music.
I will definitely will be coming back to check out the rest of the museum and also return to their music events.

I do not know how I’ve gone this long without reviewing the Autry! The Autry is as good as it gets when it comes to museums, and if you ask me, it’s highly underrated in the LA area. The Autry is a museum focused on the American West, but it gets it right! Sure they have a beautiful cowboy exhibit and an exhibit dedicated to Gene Autry, but they really focus on telling the true story of the West, from the Natives perspective, the African Americans that came out West to find themselves, the Chinese who ventured across the ocean to a foreign land, and everyone else in between that found themselves out West. The Museum is not all the Autry has to offer though…
The Autry has many events that take place throughout the year. First, my favorite events are the historical and book lectures they give. As a member, all of these are free!!! I’ve gone to several and I’ve never been disappointed. The last one I attended was on the California Genocide of Native people, spoken by the author (I forgot his name but he is an associate professor at UCLA).
Also in the theater, the Autry hosts Native Voiceband it is devoted to developing and producing new works for the stage by Native American, Alaska Native, and First Nations playwrights. The plays are always phenomenal, and again, as a member you can usually see the first show for free or get discounted tickets!
The Autry also puts on Odd Nights during the summer. These are always the third Friday of the month in the evening and it is the grass area. They have music, food trucks, and local sellers come out. It is a great night of fun for the kids and adults alike.
There are many other events that go on at the Autry, but those are a few of my favorites. Now, for a few general tips.
1. If you get lost, it’s right across from the LA Zoo and it’s all free parking.
2. With a membership, pretty much every event is free.
3. Check their calendar for events going on, always something for the kids, like gold panning!
4. Veterans have free admission.
5. Go if you love Western history!

Generally interesting museum, mainly western relics instead of paintings. Guns and items from Roosevelt, Custer, Hickcock etc were very interesting. Nice review of westerns on tv and film. Also happy to see discussion of other cultures in west including French Canadians, my own ancestors who moved to Montana in 1868. Will take about 90 minutes.

A must see for families. Great displays and exhibits. The surrounding grounds are well kept and pleasant. Easy freeway access. The perfect museum for western history lovers.

One of the best museums to take someone to from another country. True Americana and American history going back to it’s infancy. A selection of the most amazing collections, including costumes from the Hateful Eight movie. Collections of items that you would never think about that relate to all and everything of the American West. Michael Jackson’s sequined glove is on display. Michael used the Western influence in his costume designs. The museum is very accessable;, not a long walk from the parking lot, free parking and lots of it, the café is close and the amazing store is a few steps from the main entrance. The museum is «smallish» compared to other mega museum in and around L.A., that makes it a nice day outing and being able to see most of what is exhibited.
Do not miss the store. A great place to find beautiful items and one of a kind jewelry. It’s so easy to do Christmas or Birthday shopping here.

Best place. So educational. So much to see :) its in one of the hearts of Griffith Park. Right across the street from the Los Angeles Zoo. Inside they have a few antiquated exhibits of Western memorabilia. They have displays showing stagecoaches in a few stuffed animals. They also have a brief history of Western subculture in the show business. Take your family or just go by yourself you have a really nice time.

Great western museum with lots of stuff for kids and adults to see. Fun for the whole family, they have a big collection of old Colt revolvers and Winchester lever guns for the dads. Lots of cultural stuff for the kids and moms also. Highly recommended.

This is a very interesting museum but unless you are part of a school tour you aren’t given much guidance from staff or literature as to where to start/​how to work your way around it. Very disappointing that the civil war exhibit has now gone, since this ‘sets the scene’ for so much else in this museum. And also during this ‘transition time’ one huge gallery is closed and there’s nothing in its place?! Listening to docents talking to the kids who were visiting that day was where we learnt the most. I think they should have tours during the week too.

On Saturday 1÷30÷2016 was the «Free For All» event at select museums. Arrived early with my 6 and 8 year olds anticipating a long line of people there to take advantage of the opportunity of free admission. It was a cool morning with a few families milling about. There were many nice displays depicting the Western culture. The Stage Coach, Chuck Wagon, and Gatling Gun displays were nicely restored. There is a nice display of rifles and pistols. Mannequins wore authentic clothing. The kids really enjoyed the Hollywood Western theme area where there is a green screen and video to simulate being in a real western film. The gift shop has plenty of western themed items with fair prices. I comparison shopped with
. None of the items I checked were beat by Amazon. If you see something at the gift shop you like, I suggest you get.

I went here yesterday with my family. We had a hard time finding it. We took buses to get there and got lost. We got there an hour before they were going to close. I did not like that it cost 45 person and half the exhibits was closed because of remodeling. I truly hope that when we come back in the future that these exhibits are opened. I also would have like more fun things to do other then just looking at cow boys. Dressing up in more period clothes would have been. Other then those thing we had some fun. My favorite painting at Autry Museum of the American west The passing ships by Jean Mannheim. I love the details and the colors in this painting. This painting looks timeless. Its seems like this painting could have been painted today or a hundred years ago. I really like seeing all the different kind of clothing they wear by then. We will have to go again when the other exhibits are opened.

There is something for folks of all ages. This was one of the museums my son wanted to visit when he was visiting during December holidays. It was an excellent choice as there is history, exhibits and information that will interest anyone. Look forward to going back as I’m certain we didn’t see everything in the 2 – 3 hours we wandered around the museum.

This museum across the parking lot from the LA Zoo highlights the great western frontier, sometimes from the perspective of a might file and television camera. The collections feature extensive western and native american collections, including some fun TV and movie memorabilia. Check out the saddles and western wear and even a costume and glove Michael Jackson wore. The gift shop is a well curated collection of made in the west items and a hearty collection of historical tomes to satisfy just about every curiosity. Don’t miss the salsa series summer where live bands, tacos, and margaritas rock the courtyard.

EMPIRE and LIBERTY-​THE CIVIL WAR and THE WEST — you have till Jan 3^rd to see this exhibit, which I just did, and I was so very impressed… One thing about the Autry, which started with the cowboy star (and major real estate investor and radio station owner GENE AUTRY) years ago, is that it seeks to tell the truth about history. In this exhibit, we learn just how complicated the issue of slavery was and how that issue extended to territories not thought of as part of the problems between the Northern and Southern states. I learned some things that challenged my pre knowledge and understanding and you will too.
Here are some things on exhibit that just amazed me.
The very flag — ripped from wind and fragile with age — that John C. Fremont’s wife made to be carried ahead of him and his troops as they came into California to resolve the question of WHO OWNS CALIFORNIA mid 1800’s. (Though California was full of Spanish missions and Spanish land grants taken by people who came from Mexico, these people were self identifying as Californios. The answer is NOT MEXICO. Those of you who are more interested in this historical fact may want to visit local Camp Cahuenga, which is across from Universal Studios and the Red Line Universal Station!)
A variety of PREPRINTED envelopes with politically themed art ready made for soldiers fighting in the Civil War to use to write home with.
Coverage of small «wars» (today they might be called military «actions») that involved the Native Americans including the Cherokee Civil War, the Dakota War, and the Red River War. .
A look at John Ross, the chief of the Cherokee, who in 1851 owned slaves. (by 1835 sixteen hundred slaves lived within the Cherokee nation.)
The Gold Rush 1848 into California: half the miners brought slaves with them. People were coming into our state from China, Hawaii, Sonora, and Chili with BINDING WORK CONTRACTS to mine. Sex workers were not all like in the movies — independent belle’s — but also sex trafficked.
A look at the (sometimes very small indeed) difference between being a slave and being chattle labor.
A primative surgical kit to cut off limbs — the real thing like you saw used in Dances with Wolves.
And finally, a life mask of Abraham Lincoln. That’s right. He submitted to the petroleum jelly, straws up the nose, plaster of Paris routine. (From the side you can tell he looked a lot like the image on our penny.)
I encountered people in from Australia who were just amazed to learn so much about American history in one place.
SECOND TUESDAY OF THE MONTH THIS MUSEUM IS FREE. Lots of interesting pay for events. I can’t wait to go again to see the new paintings collection — The Kaufman Collection.

This is a beautiful museum in Los Angeles. If you are into old western television shows and old west history then this is the place for you.
I personally enjoyed the permanent exhibits about the old west far more than I liked the temporary ones. The permanent exhibits about the old west history and television shows were very informative and interesting. I thought the temporary ones were just okay in comparison.
This museum presents itself as a complete representation of the American West which normally includes not only cowboys and American settlers, but the Native Americans as well. There isn’t too much mentioned about the Native Americans in the permanent exhibitions.
We came on a week day and the place was pretty empty. We also had no problem with parking which was really nice. It was a refreshing change of pace to come to a museum in Los Angeles and NOT have to deal with a hectic parking situation.
I would recommend checking this place out if you are looking for a great museum to check out in Los Angeles.

This is an amazing place that we seldom hear about. First off, there is plenty of free parking – in Los Angeles! I haven’t been here for maybe 15 years, but the place looks new, inside and out. This is a class place, with an unbelievably low admission fee. It is spacious, with well-​planned exhibits. It is a great place for children to learn. The exhibits are interesting, sometimes spectacular. Things that kids (and adults) shouldn’t touch are behind plexiglass. The museum staff are great, and helpful. There are wheelchairs and at least one electric scooter available.
The exhibit on the Civil War in the West was outstanding. I learned so much. Typically, when we speak of the Civil War, we only think of the East Coast. Why had I not heard of the events in the Southwest? Many events involved Native Americans, African Americans, Asian Americans, and Latino Americans. This exhibit was an eye opener. A timeline showed how various events fit in with the bigger picture of US history. Beside the usual exhibit items, they make incredibly good use of digital projectors, all over the place. Many portray the life and times of ordinary people, caught up in the drama of history. It really helps to make history real, and personal.
The Gardena High School Art Collection is amazing, This alone is worth a visit. The western movies section took me back to my childhood. The big, red Indian motorcycle (it is NOT a Harley-​Davidson) draws you into the exhibit hall. This is not an overwhelming museum, but it is a thoughtful space, where one can learn a lot.

Love this place!!! My boyfriend and I came here last Sunday and we had a blast! The museum is small but very charming. All the artifacts were so interesting! We spent at least 30 minutes in each room because of how much history was there to learn! Admission is $ 10 a person but if you have your triple A card or you’re a student you get a sweet discount! The museum also has a lot of interactive attractions you can have fun with. If you live in LA you gotta come check this place out! The gift shop is also fantastic! I’ll be coming here again for sure!

Oh how we love thee-​let me count the exhibits! Being a western fan this is the place to go if you want a mix of old west history, gun exhibits, not to mention a look into film. This place is really wonderful. We liked it so much we bought an annual membership. The staff here is always very friendly and helpful. We are greeted with smiles and courtesy every time we arrive and they seemed very knowledgeable about everything that is occurring at the Autry at the present time.
The exhibits change in the main room about a few times a year. This year they did a tribute on the Civil War that was compelling and is still running. There are a number of uniforms from service men, weapons, but the heaviest was the spoken excerpts from diaries written of people at the time. They have interactive displays that monolog with video when you keep your hand on the projection. There are enough of these to keep you interested and wanting to read all the exhibit information. It really puts you there in the past and makes your experience personable.
Another section of the exhibit features modern art from paintings to sculptures on depictions of western scenes, native Americans, horses, and just about everything. My toddler loves to come into this room to see the Harley Davidson bike and crafted horses.
The film section seems to be the most popular among visitors and children. They have costumes from John Wayne to Johnny Depp all western movies. There is additionally an interactive horse you can sit on that has a green screen behind it and puts you in a real live action western film. The kids really had a blast with this and some adults too. There is also panning for gold for the kids on weekends.
The perks to being a member is access anytime to the museum and information about the movies and exhibits that are opened first to members. They have children’s classes and sing along weekly with salsa/​line dancing on weekday afternoons in addition to movies they hold there. They also have outings where you go with a group and shoot classic firearms, not to mention the members only picnic events, all at the courtesy of this great museum.
The café where they serve food was surprisingly very good. I usually do not buy food at a museum or theme park because the prices are high and quality is low, but not at the Autry. We ordered the chicken strips and sweet potato fries because our toddler was hangry and throwing a fit. He loved it and we couldn’t stop picking at the fries.

It was a nice surprise to visit the Autry National Center, I don’t know why I stayed away from it for so long. You can see its beautiful building even when you drive on 134 freeway, along Griffith Park where it’s located (there are signs, too). Take the exit for the LA Zoo, Autry is right across from it, there’s free parking, they have a big lot in front.
The whole museum was bigger and better than I expected. We enjoyed their permanent collection, they have a nice display on a whole floor about the history of the West, especially the one of California, they have many interesting objects to show from the Gold Rush era and not only. It’s a collection rich of information, with plenty to learn, we have re-​visited it on various visits. A nice travel back in time. Too many guns for my taste, but we’re talking about southwest in the past.
On another floor they have a big permanent exhibit dedicated to the western world in the entertainment industry– music, TV and film, it’s fun, interactive, they have on display great costumes, props from famous movies of the genre, from classics (like Gene Autry, John Wayne era) to newer ones, like «Brokeback Mountain».
They also have interesting temporary exhibits, some are dedicated to the Native American civilization, some to the art inspired by the Western world. We loved the «Route 66», we were able to see the manuscript for «On the Road» and «Grapes of Wrath» and other unique objects, photos, etc.
They also have a nice garden in the back if you want to rest up and relax, you can enjoy a cute waterfall while sitting on a bench. There are many interactive areas for kids. They organize many events in general, each time we went there was something going on or they were getting ready for concerts, screenings, etc.
Admission is: $ 10, $ 6 for seniors, $ 4 for kids.
Tuesday-​Friday: 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.
Saturday-​Sunday: 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
Free Days: Open and free to the public on the second Tuesday of every month, New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, and Presidents’ Day.
I’m giving this place a lower rating because last time we went they were renovating the floor where they keep the permanent collection, they removed a side of it that I liked, dedicated to the LA Chinatown, featuring personal objects donated by Lisa See, a very interesting exhibit. Also, other statues were missing, from their front area and their backyard. Hope they’ll bring it back once the renovations will be over because they add more charm to this place.

I’m a long time member of the Autry, but today I went to get my «Kicks on Route 66.» The road and the romance exhibit closes Jan 5, 2015. I love how in addition to wonderful exhibits, the Authry also has live music, a theater to stage plays, and cool gift shop.
Back to Route 66: There are so many different recordings of Route 66, it was so fun to listen to a few of them. The video where John Lasseter explains how the film CARS takes its inspiration from Route 66 is also worth watching. You will also want to buy the shirt Lasseter wears, but unforunately it is not in the gift shop. You see Jack Kerouac’s chicken scratch scroll where he refused to indent as he typed out On the Road. You can’t read John Steinbeck’s handwritten Grapes of Wrath either. Dorothea Lange’s portraits are poignant as ever.
Go get your Kicks before the road and the romance ends.

I visited the Autry museum for the first time yesterday with my boyfriend (12÷6÷14). All the exhibits were definitely informative and interesting. If you like anything cowboy related, you’ll love this museum. There were a bunch of cool outfits, rifles, revolvers, and spurs on display. My favorite exhibit was the Native American beadwork one where there were many handmade moccasins and «octopus bags.» They were beautiful. The only thing I would change is for the exhibits to be more interactive.
Had a very fun day!

After seeing the adorable baby hippo at the LA Zoo across the street, the Schoolteacher and I came here to see some of the exhibits over here at the Autry Museum. Our first stop inside was the Museum café for some lunch. I ordered a breakfast burrito, and the lady went with a soup and sandwich combo. I was surprised at how inexpensive it was. It was about twenty dollars for the two lunches. Not too bad. The food was quite good. Their water was fancy, and had assorted fruits and cucumbers floating in the carafes. The flavors had soaked into the water. Good job.
We then entered the museum, and were informed that due to it being Veterans’ Day, the museum was free. Sweet! We then began to peruse the museum. Schoolteacher led me around this place, as she’d been here before with her students. The exhibits were quite interesting, for the most part all local stuff I was new too. Local Indian stuff, local film stuff, local art stuff. Some of the photographs and other art items were very cool. There was a whole wing of bar and gambling artifacts from back in the day sponsored by Budweiser. A ‘prop’ waterfall crashed and cascaded around a trader shop loop, towards the back of the place.
Specifically, The bead exhibit was very interesting, documenting the detail and beauty of what can be done with a lot of tiny little beads. I was shocked by the quality and detail of some of the items. Looking at the items, I felt that what took just a few hours by an accomplished native American beader, would have taken me several months to complete. There was also a Route 66 exhibit, documenting it’s construction and rise to popularity, with lots of interesting information on the assorted highlights and stops of the iconic roadway. The exhibit then followed its eventual decline in use when the larger freeways were constructed, followed by the fairly recent resurgence in popularity as a hip new touristy thing to do. Very cool exhibits.
As we left, I went into the gift shop to get my Gene Autry Museum refrigerator magnet. Ironically, while they had several styles of magnets featuring images of Gene Autry, they had no magnets that said ‘Gene Autry Museum.’ After not finding anything on my own, I asked the ladies behind the counter, and they shook their heads and said they hadn’t seen anything like that. Bummer. I guess this means I’ll just have to come back to get one.

$ 6 for students! Just show your student ID!
fun museum if you are a history person
lots of history on California
across the street from LA Zoo!

I’m not per se into Western memorabilia, but the Route 66 exhibit that runs until January 4, 2015, has a certain allure. It mostly draws from loans from various museums & private collections. This exhibit showcases the origins for the great Mother Road or Main Street of America, called such since Route 66 went through the center of towns instead of bypassing them, and features the factors that lead to the impetus of the formation of highways throughout the United States with particular emphasis on highway starved areas west of the Mississippi.
What started on the road to better highways was started by city folk who wanted better quality, paved roads for riding safely & comfortably on their bicycles because during the late 19^th & early 20^th centuries, bicycles were a very popular method of intra city transportation. Also, the increasing production of high petroleum output in the U.S. in conjunction with the rise of auto manufacturing extended that demand for better quality roads not just in the cities, but also on roads connecting different regions of the U.S.
So by the early 1920’s, entrepreneurs like Cyrus Avery & John Woodruff were lobbying Congress for a federal highway between Chicago & Los Angelesy through their respective states of Oklahoma & Missouri that would promote trade & commerce. Congress eventually cooperated by creating a national program of highway and road development. Route 66 went through Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, & California where its terminus was at the Santa Monica pier.
Route 66 came just in time for the Great Depression so that it served as a conduit for the «Oakies», who were dispossessed farmers who lost their farms to the great droughts that ravaged the Plains States at the same time, to escape & go either east towards Chicago or west towards Los Angeles. After WWII, Route 66 became a vacationers’ road to adventure. Not only was the destination important, but the locations passed along the way were to be enjoyed & savoured. Much tourist tchotchkes, post cards, etc. were generated in the late 1940’s. 50’s & 60’s along with architecture that reflected the places in which they were rooted. For example, motels would have individual cabins in the shape of wigwams or teepee’s.
Bobby Troupe’s iconic song «Get Your Kicks on Route 66» sung by the equally iconic Nat King Cole typified the romantic mood of Route 66 at its height. Ironically, while Nat was singing that song, there were «Sundown» towns along Route 66 where African Americans were told to move on & not be caught in those towns after «sundown». That is part of the dark side of the history of Route 66 in the pre-​civil rights days.
The late 1950’s heralded beginning of the end for Route 66. Air travel became more convenient & comfortable so there was no need or ability to savour the spots along the way. The destination became in itself important. Also air travel encouraged vacationing overseas to more exotic realms. The formation of major resorts & theme parks took away from the glamour of the more humble, downhome sites more often offered by the Mother Road.
The final blow was handed by President Eisenhower, who having seen the efficient, fast Autobahn in Germany, started the Interstate Highway System in the late 1950’s which eventually superseded Route 66. Parts of Interstate 55, 44, 40, 15, 210, 10, & CA State Route 2, cover most of what was Route 66. The highway was finally totally decommissioned by 1985.
Nostalgia still runs deep, but many of the tourists who still ride on parts of the Main Street of America are now people who come from overseas to see a side of America that harks back to a supposedly more halcyon past. For Angelenos, who say that they have never been on the California section of the former Route 66, set foot on Santa Monica Blvd. in the Hollywood area or Foothill Blvd. in the San Gabriel Valley or Colorado in Pasadena/​Glendale, and you can claim you have been on the Mother Road.
The Autry National Center has extensive Western exhibits on such figures as Wyatt Erp, Annie Oakley, Wild Bill Hickok, etc. as well as having a touch of Hollywood by featuring such figures as Roy Rogers (but not Dale Evans), Tom Mix, Gene Autry (of course), etc. There are some exhibits dedicated to Native Americans & Mexican Americans from the 19^th century as well as art pieces from such artists as Native Americans, Remington, etc. Nice place to spend a few hours immersed in Western American history & culture. If sensory overload overtakes, there is Crossroads West, a decent café on site.

Oh, the Autry. I hadn’t been here since a high school dance many years ago, so when I heard about their Sizzling Summer Nights salsa concert series, I figured it would be fun way to revisit.
This time around I actually got to explore the museum, and I’m so glad I did! Their Route 66 exhibit was really cool, and the Art of The West installation had a wide range of pieces that are definitely worth checking out, from black and white photography, to oil paintings, to carved wooden chairs.
If you’re into salsa dancing, you should go during next summer’s salsa concerts, since now it’s over for the year. They have live bands come in to play, with a large dance floor outside, and plenty of people show up to dance, eat tacos, and drink margaritas! It’s a little pricey, so bring a picnic if you’re on a budget.
At $ 10 per ticket for adults, I think anyone living in LA should visit the museum at least once!

HIS LEGEND LIVES ON
BACKGROUND:
The Autry National Center is a museum dedicated to bringing together the stories of all peoples of the American West, connecting the past with the present to inspire the shared future. The museum presents a wide range of exhibitions and public programs, including lectures, film, theater, festivals, family events, and music, and performs scholarship, research, and educational outreach. It attracts about 150,000 visitors annually
STATS:
Free parking
Walking tour
Tuesday-​Friday: 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.
Saturday-​Sunday: 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
The Autry is closed most Mondays, but open and free on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day and Presidents’ Day.
The Autry is closed on Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.
Guided Tours
Saturday and Sunday*
11:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m., and 3:00 p.m.
*Tours are not available the first two Sundays of the month.
Crossroads West Café Hours
Tuesday-​Friday: 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.
Saturday-​Sunday: 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
Autry Research Library Hours
Monday-​Friday, 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. By appointment only. Please call 323.495.4349, or e-​mail
. See Libraries and Archives of the Autry for more information.
Admission
Autry Members: Free
Adults: $ 10
Students with current ID and Seniors (60+): $ 6
Children (3 – 12): $ 4
Children under 3: Free
ESSENTIALS:
Comfy walking shoes
A hankering for western history
Camera
Money (cash and/​or credit)
1 liter of water
OUR EXPERIENCE:
Every now and then The Crew leaves the dirty, dusty trail, hangs up their boots and trekking polls to check out what’s going on in the city. The Gene Autry Museum was on the calendar for a beautiful day in LA. We all met in the courtyard where statues and art pieces decorate the space.
We were fortunate enough to have planned our visit for the opening of its new exhibit, «Route 66: The Road and the Romance». From their description, «Discover the facts and the fiction surrounding the Mother Road through more than 250 extraordinary artifacts that trace the history of the route and its impact on American popular culture». The route goes from Chicago to Los Angeles, covers 2400 miles and was completed in 1926.
With two large rooms filled with all things western; clothing, jewelry, saddlery, music, art, transportation, etc… our self-​guided tour was educational, relaxing and fun.
We also walked through the «Floral Journey: Native American Beadwork». This is an exhibition that explores how beaded floral design became a remarkable art form and cultural survival for the Native North American people. The work put into the bead work showed that the Native Americans took pride in their work, there was so much detail, so so amazingly beautiful.
On our way out we stopped by the gift shop, which sells all kinds of knickknacks, most notable in my book is the chocolate with the running horses on the wrappers, of course.
If you have a couple hours to spare and you’ve got a hankering for history and culture, check out the Autry National Center. Remember to check online what exhibits are on display before your visit.
When you’re done you can stop by Crossroads Café for a bite, or you can bring your own food and picnic on the South lawn.

This was superb, I’ve been coming to Autry for the out door salsa concerts and never had I stepped inside the museum until this week. How can this treasure escaped my sight being so near. Many people may be hesitant visiting this place due to being about the west. If you are passionate about this country’s heritage, you should hit this place.
There is such a strong influence in currents trends that were borrowed during this era. The setup of the exhibits are gorgeous to the eye, especially adored the large mural that wrapped around the center of the bottom floor walls. But what was even more impressive was how large this place was. Two floors of pure history and best of all live music during the summer nights.
Every summer, they host live salsa bands each Thursday with jamming sounds. They even go to the extent of laying out a professional dance floor with guest dance instructor for the new peeps. I must warn that on Salsa nights it does get crowded but like myself, most do not explore the museum which is great especially since the museum stays open later. What more can you ask for, spectacular history, live music, and there is even a bar during the summer concert series. Cheers!

Wen die nicht so naturbelassene Geschichte Kaliforniens interessiert, der sollte unbedingt das Gene Autry Western Heritage Museum besichtigen.
Gene Autry war der «Singende Cowboy» von 1934, er spielte in 82 Western, besang über 300 Schallplatten, kaufte ein Baseballteam und mehrere Radiosender, bevor er für 54 Mio. Dollar das Museum ins Leben rief.
Bei einem Besuch dieses Museums reist man zurück in die Tage des Wilden Westens; man befriedigt das Bedürfnis nach Cowboys, indianischer Kultur, spanischen Siedlern und mehr Feuerwaffen, als man sich je vorstellen kann.
Das Gene Autry Western Heritage Museum stellt die Völkerwanderung nach dem Westen der Vereinigten Staaten vor. Die Ausstellungen beinhalten Kleider, Waffen und Werkzeuge des «Wilden Westens» mit Auszügen aus alten Wildwestfilmen Hollywoods.
Es zeigt, wie die ersten Pioniere lebten und u. a. Annie Oakleys (Vorbild für das Musical «Annie Get Your Gun») vergoldete Smith & Wesson und Buffalo Bill Codys Sattel.
Bekannte Schauspieler, wie John Wayne und Chuck Connors, stifteten seltene Waffen, die hier zu bestaunen sind. Unter anderem kann man hier auch eine Original «Butterfield and Butterfield”-Postkutsche und einen Ausrüstungswagen für den großen Viehtreck nebst Küchenwagen besichtigen. Man entdeckt in jedem Gang immer wieder Neues und Sehenswertes. Interessant ist auch eine Ausstellung, die zeigt, wie einfache Familien in Blockhütten und reiche Rancher in ihren «Villen» lebten.
Dieses Museum ist ein Erlebnis für Jung und Alt. Man muss schon ein bisschen Zeit mitbringen, wenn man alles betrachten möchte.
Das Museum liegt etwas außerhalb von Los Angeles, gegenüber vom Zoo. Der Eintritt kostet 7,50 Dollar. Die Öffnungszeiten sind Dienstag bis Sonntag von 10.00 Uhr bis 17.00 Uhr.