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| Historic
Sites & Museums in Santa Monica |
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 Santa
Monica's museums are as eclectic as it is. The city's art
exhibit spaces take you back in time to view the beginnings of
modern aviation; illustrate the cultural roots and growth of
the beach city; and bring you face to face with the
contemporary art scene. Below we have highlighted
some of the more popular museums to visit. Please use
the links to the left for your hotel and car rental needs.
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| Historic Sites
& Museums |
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| Angel's
Attic - mixes afternoon tea with history.
This unique collection of antique dollhouses, miniatures,
dolls and toys, housed in a Victorian era house, reflects
the innocence of childhood in every era. Be sure to view
the miniaturized Colonial mansions and Southern
Plantations that are authentic in every detail. Angel's
Attic is open Thursday-Sunday 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Admission is $6.50 for Adults, $4 for Seniors and $3.50
for Children under 12. (310) 394-8331. |
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| The
Santa Monica Historical Society Museum of History and
Culture - features an exhibition gallery,
vintage clothing and a photography archive detailing the
growth of Santa Monica from a sleepy seaside village to a
dynamic center of business, arts, entertainment and
dining. Hours: Tuesday and Thursday 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.;
2nd & 4th Sundays 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Docent tours are
available by appointment. Admission is $3 for Adults, $2
for Seniors, and Free for Children under 12. (310)
395-2290. |
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| Autry
Museum of Western Heritage - Opened in
1988, the Autry Museum receives major support from the
Autry Foundation. Although Gene Autry was best known as a
crooner of western ballads, the spirit of this museum is
the preservation and acquisition of fine art, books,
manuscripts, and artifacts that document the American West
and its history. (323) 667-2000. |
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| California
African American Museum - as begun in 1977,
and opened to the public in 1981. It was temporarily
located at the California Museum of Science and Industry.
The Museum opened in its own building in 1984.
CAAM’s 44,000 square foot building contains a large
front lobby, a research library, a museum store, and
several galleries that display both its permanent and
visiting collections. The California African American
Museum’s permanent collection focuses on works of art
from the 20th century, reflecting the African American
experience in the United States, and its large part in the
history and the diverse culture of California. Its various
changing exhibits not only display African influenced art,
but also portray African American history. |
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| Craft
& Folk Art Museum - While its hours are
now reduced, the museum¹s second-floor galleries still
boast a rotating collection of fascinating work. Recent
exhibits have included "Dancing in the Streets:
Carnival and Festival Arts," a collection of carnival
and festival photographs and costumes from Brazil, Cuba,
Haiti, Trinidad, Belgium, Italy, Germany and the U.S.
The museum¹s first floor is devoted to a gift shop
chock-full of hand-made crafts from around the world. A
popular gift-buying spot for people who work in the area,
the museum¹s shop sells Guatemalan molas, Tanzanian
musical instruments and Japanese tea sets, among other
crafts. Future exhibits will feature the craft of
quilting, embroidery on Turkish rugs and cushion covers,
and a celebration of the life of author Zora Neale Hurston.
5814 Wilshire Blvd. (323) 937-4230 |
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| Fort
MacArthur Museum - Still a work in
progress, Fort MacArthur Museum is committed to preserving
and collecting the relics that played an important role in
Los Angeles' historic Harbor Defenses. Battery
Osgood-Farley itself has not gone through much
modification since it was built, and could probably be the
only type of gun battery of its kind left in the
continental United States. (310)548-2631 |
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| Museum
of Television and Radio - Founded on the
belief that television and radio have been major
contributors to our cultural history, the Museum of
Television and Radio is a non profit organization that
offers a wide variety of opportunities to study the impact
that radio and television have had on our society. From
Wednesday through Sunday, it offers an extensive library
of television and radio broadcasts, two theaters, a
listening room, as well as several special exhibitions and
seminars that are open to the public. |
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| Museum
of Flying - this museum is definitely
worth a visit. Both adults and children will enjoy many
elements of this ten year old museum. Built at the site
where the Douglas Aircraft Company manufactured, tested
and produced military and commercial aircraft for
forty-six years, visitors of this unique, non-profit
museum can see a rare collection of civilian and military
aircraft through World War II. These include fighter
planes, "war-birds," the popular
"DC-3". Notably, the majority of the displayed
aircraft are in flight-ready condition. (310)
392-8822 |
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| Hollywood
Wax Museum - exhibits over 200 wax figures
of celebrities, historical figures, and movie characters.
Some of the figures are quite realistic, while others are
virtually unrecognizable. There is an eeriness in the air
due to the hundreds of pairs of glass eyes staring out at
you, a mood that enhances the spookiness of the Wax
Museum’s Chamber of Horrors. (323)462-5991. |
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