Autry Museum of the American West

Autry Museum of the American West is a museum in Los Angeles, California, dedicated to exploring the diverse histories and cultures of the American West. Founded by singing cowboy film star and entrepreneur Gene Autry, the museum opened in 1988. Its mission is to share the stories of all peoples of the American West, connecting the past with the present to inspire a more inclusive future. The museum's campus is situated in Griffith Park, adjacent to the Los Angeles Zoo.

History

The museum was conceived by its founder, Gene Autry, who envisioned an institution that would preserve the legacy of the American West beyond the romanticized versions often depicted in Hollywood films. It opened to the public in November 1988 as the Gene Autry Western Heritage Museum. A significant early acquisition was the collection from the Southwest Museum of the American Indian, founded by Charles Fletcher Lummis, which merged with the Autry in 2003. This merger dramatically expanded the museum's holdings, particularly in Native American art and artifacts. In 2010, the museum rebranded as the Autry National Center of the American West, and later adopted its current name, the Autry Museum of the American West, to better reflect its broad, interdisciplinary focus on the region.

Collections and exhibitions

The museum's permanent collection exceeds 600,000 artifacts and artworks, spanning from the pre-Columbian era to the present day. Key collections include significant holdings of Native American baskets, pottery, and textiles, as well as an extensive array of American firearms, spurs, and saddlery. The museum holds important works by artists such as Albert Bierstadt, Thomas Moran, and Charles Marion Russell. Notable exhibitions have included "California Continued", "Art of the West", and "Western Frontiers: Stories of Fact and Fiction". The institution also curates the Museum of the American West collection, which includes material from the Southwest Museum and the Institute for the Study of the American West.

Architecture and facilities

The original museum building was designed by architects Leo A. Daly and opened in 1988. A major expansion and renovation, led by Fentress Architects, was completed in 2021, significantly increasing gallery and public space. The campus includes the historic Southwest Museum Mount Washington Campus, which houses collections storage and research facilities. Key features of the Griffith Park location include the Irene Helen Jones Parks Gallery and the Plaza de la Raza. The museum also maintains the Autry Resources Center for scholarly research and the Braun Research Library, which holds a vast archive related to the American West.

Programs and education

The museum offers a wide range of public programs, including lectures, film screenings, musical performances, and family festivals. It hosts the annual American Indian Arts Marketplace, one of the largest events of its kind in the United States. Educational initiatives serve K-12 students and teachers through guided tours, curriculum materials, and professional development workshops. The museum's innovative "Stories of the West" program uses primary sources and objects to engage students with complex historical narratives. Partnerships with institutions like the University of California, Los Angeles and the Getty Foundation support advanced research and fellowship opportunities for scholars.

Governance and funding

The museum is governed by a Board of Trustees, which has included notable figures such as former director John Gray and current President W. Richard West Jr., a founding director of the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian. Major funding comes from private donations, foundation grants, membership dues, and earned revenue. The museum has received significant support from entities like the Annenberg Foundation, the W. M. Keck Foundation, and the State of California. It also benefits from a long-standing partnership with the Autry Foundation, the philanthropic organization established by Gene Autry and his wife, Jackie Autry.

Category:Museums in Los Angeles Category:History museums in California Category:American West museums Category:Native American museums in California Category:Art museums established in 1988