Visitor's Guide to the Autry Museum of Western Heritage

Back to the days of the wild west and cowboys. When the men could ride, shoot and sing and the women could always depend on them for rescue from the bad guys. These were the days of dreams when the next movie with our favorite singing cowboy and all his friends would entertain us. Each one breaking our heart and yet somehow we continued in the fantasy of love forever and respect for all who graced the giant screen. They live forever in our memories.

Now they live forever through film, pictures and memorabilia in the Autry National Center also known as the Autry Museum of Western Heritage. Located at 4700 Western Heritage Way (Zoo Drive) in Griffith Park, Los Angeles, California. You can also call 1-323-667-2000 or go on line to

If you are a baby boomer who grew up with John Wayne and Clint Eastwood you'll love the Autry Museum. It takes you back in time to the singing cowboy films with Gene Autry and honors all who came before him and all who followed with shoot outs and adventures that kept us entertained for generations. This is one museum you can dream your way through alone, but take your family and share the adventures with them. It's a lot more fun. Your kids will love everything from the old west films and entertainment industry so much you may have to buy them their own Red Rider BB Gun!

Among the many collections in the museum just a few are the golden pistols used by Annie Oakley. They were given to her by her husband, Frank Butler. You'll also find a Gatling Gun as well as the pistols used by Belle Star and her gang during the days when the west was really wild.

The museum has six exhibition area's. Each with it's own theme and view of western film as art. You'll find costume worn by many of the greats and items from sets of western film now a part of history. The first floor has a marble floor entrance and a very formal feel to it, but once you move to the second floor it becomes informal and your dreams can flow.

You will love the theater showing a 3D film of the hardships and turmoil many of the pioneers endured during their days trying to settle the west. You'll learn they worked hard and gave all they had to the land, but it cost them in ways we cannot imagine today. But you'll feel a part of the history as you continue your tour, learning how the films were made. You'll see camera's and learn about the actors who stood in front of them.

Don't miss this museum when you visit California. It is open Tuesday through Sunday from 10:00am to 5:00pm. Closed on Mondays except for Holiday Mondays and the parking is free. Adults are $7.50, Seniors 60+ and students with ID are $5.00 each, Kids 2-12 are $3.00. But the second Tuesday of each month is free to all who enter. So bring the family, bring your dreams and have fun.http://autrynationalcenter.org and down load a map.