The Autry Museum 2012

I decided to take advantage of a free admission day at the Autry Museum. The kids are both covering western history - Ellie in California and Josh in the United States, so I thought this would be worth checking out. We spent about 2 hours at the museum. The kids enjoyed some parts more than others, but overall we all had a good time.

The first gallery we visited was all about Western movies. Lots of costumes and memorabilia from the various entertainers.

Even Michael Jackson had his Western period

Roy Rogers

The Lone Ranger

The next gallery we visited was all about the Hopi Indians. There were many different Kachina dolls as well as some instruments the kids could try.

Two of the galleries upstairs were closed. Not sure if this is normal for a free day or if it just happened to be a day they were working on the displays.

Downstairs we found the California history displays. This showed artifacts related to the Gold Rush.

Josh had been learning about Indians in America. There were exhibits depicting each of the Indian tribes from the different regions. This exhibit showed how this Indian dress would have been made.

Another are told about the many immigrants that came to America. There were clothing, tools, furniture, and toys showing how they lived.

There was a large area that covered law in the West - the OK Corral, a semi-jail, display of star badges and lots of guns and rifles.

The best part of the museum for the kids was the Discovery Gallery. It depicted Chinatown in the 1930's. There was a restaurant, Chines opera, antique store and modern home. We spent the most time in here.

Each colored mask was meant to show a different emotion or personality.

May I serve you?

Working the old fashioned register - cash only! The most expensive thing on the menu was $1!

Time for tea

Chef Ellie busy in the kitchen

Chef Josh's turn to cook up something good

Not to his satisfaction!

Loved the old tins

Old fruit signs from Redlands

Trying on costumes

I would recommend this as a field trip, but on a free day. Younger kids will walk through most of it rather quickly, but will enjoy the Discovery area. Older kids I'm sure will take the time to read and look more closely at things. They do educational field trips which include panning for gold and talks throughout the museum. I'm sure this would be good too.