Museum of Western Film History
Museum of Western Film History
Museum of Western Film History
4.5
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
About
The Museum of Western Film History is America’s leading institution of Western Film history that pays tribute to the legendary heroes and heroines of America’s West. Founded in 2006 the museum, located in Lone Pine, Ca, collects, preserves and exhibits a broad and diverse collection of western film memorabilia associated with the American western film genre. Film programs, artifact preservation and exhibits, including interpretive projects and displays, provide narrative support for the movies, actors, directors, producers and most importantly, the landscapes that served as a canvas for their stories. In addition, the Museum supports the annual Lone Pine Film Festival on Columbus Day weekend. The Festival features screenings, panels, western authors, entertainment and guided Alabama Hills tours of movie site locations where Hollywood’s biggest western stars performed and of the landscape that has been the venue to over 500 films and 1000 television commercials.
Duration: < 1 hour
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4.5
557 reviews
Excellent
365
Very good
165
Average
20
Poor
2
Terrible
5
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3 contributions
Dec 2019
I would probably have given this museum 5 stars but unfortunately I can't. I was in town with my family and some friends and we planned to go on New Years Eve, since according to their website hours, they would be open (Their website states this: "Museum closed for New Years Day, Easter, 4th of July, Thanksgiving and Christmas."). But when we got there, the front door was locked. The hours sign on the door stated exactly what was stated on the website so they should have been open but next to that sign, they had taped up a piece of paper that mentioned that New Years Eve was one of their closed days. Their phone recording doesn't mention anything about this. So apparently, they just didn't feel like showing up that day.
We had planned this trip for half a year and this museum was supposed to be one of our highlights. But it was not to be. I'm sure this museum is wonderful but if you plan a trip to Lone Pine to see it, be warned that if the owners have something better to do that day, the museum will be closed.
We had planned this trip for half a year and this museum was supposed to be one of our highlights. But it was not to be. I'm sure this museum is wonderful but if you plan a trip to Lone Pine to see it, be warned that if the owners have something better to do that day, the museum will be closed.
Written January 1, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kirk E
Santa Fe, NM978 contributions
Mar 2021
Inside the unprepossessing walls of Lone Pine's Museum of Western History rests one of the best collections of movie artefacts on view anywhere. The area's rich Western film legacy is the principal focus, but there are countless items here that would be the envy of a major metropolitan museum, starting with a mint condition three-strip Technicolor camera and a working RKO camera truck, recently refurbished and used on screen in "Mank." The extensive collection of Western memorabilia has been extremely well organized in stand-alone sections that demonstrate the full panoply of ways the legendary Alabama Hills have been used over the years, in films from Fatty Arbuckle's "The Round Up" to "Gunga Din" to "Tremors" and beyond. It's a must-stop for any film buff, and a treasure to be explored by families.
Written April 1, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
DigitalRabbit
Los Gatos, CA686 contributions
Jun 2021
Given that the Alabama Hills of Lone Pine hosted the filming of more than 400 movies (mostly Westerns), it is fitting that the Museum of Western Film History is located in this small town. The museum is chock full of Western memorabilia as well as old projectors. I especially enjoyed learning about Technicolor and Panavision cameras and seeing old drive-in movie projectors. Cowboy fans will appreciate photos of the many stars of past shows—Tom Mix, Lone Ranger, Hopalong Cassidy, and so on as well as see a stagecoach, saddles, hats, and other paraphernalia used in the sets. Don’t miss the short film they show on movie history.
Written June 20, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reed
Orlando, FL2,497 contributions
Jun 2021 • Couples
While I knew Lone Pine had a ton of movie history, I had no idea how deep it was until I visited this museum! This isn’t a huge place (plan about 60-90 minutes) but it is chock full of really interesting movie memorabilia and a theater showing highlights and history. It does feel slightly outdated and while there are a few sections with more recent flicks, the majority of it is from the traditional western era. They also have a decent gift shop and employees that are very nice and happy to answer any questions! Worth a stop for sure if you are in the area.
Written September 22, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dmcclenathen
Goleta, CA147 contributions
Sep 2023 • Couples
My husband and I liked this little museum of Western Film History more than we thought we would. The Alabama Hills were closed due to construction so we went to this museum instead. A $5 entry fee each we walked around for about an hour, and saw a great little history movie. We learned a lot about the beginning of Western films and what was filmed way out in the Alabama Hills. A good take for all in the family.
Written October 24, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Norman K
Galt, CA5 contributions
Sep 2020
Absolutely must visit for anyone with a love for the history of the West, cowboys, and everything associated with it. The museum is small but fantastic, and supporting memories and history that deserve to be preserved, and supported. I have gone to almost every one of their "Concert in the Rocks" dinners of Alabama Hills, and it's one of the most enjoyable events I have ever been to in over 70 years of traveling the world. When they come back after this COVID thing, you MUST go to one of the concerts!!! When you do, you'll go to every one they ever have!!! Stop by and visit and sign up to support this fantastic historical museum of the west.
Written April 11, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Brenda W
1 contribution
Oct 2023 • Family
Our family had a vacation down south (So. Cal). On our way home to Bishop we figured we would stop at this Film Museum for a little extra fun for our kids. Upon arrival about 15 minutes prior to the museum start time of 9 am the parking lot was 100% empty so we parked our truck and trailer in a few of the empty spaces. An employee with curly blonde hair came out screaming at my husband that he/we can not park there because it was blocking the parking lot. She told him he had to park next door. We followed instructions/demands and parked where we were told and got out ozf our truck to waited outside to let the kids use a little energy before going in. Kids went to open the door and it was unlocked so we figured they were opening a few minutes early for us but again the blonde curly haired lady came and started screaming that they were not open yet. "We are not open until 9 am, we never open early." We were so off put by her poor customer service demeanor that we ended up just leaving. This experience makes me realize why you never see anybody parked in parking lot utilizing this space.
Written October 28, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lynette51
Santa Barbara, CA1,860 contributions
Jul 2023
If you love watching westerns you will love this museum. I never realized how many western films were filmed in this area dating back to the silent movies. There is also a seperate room giving information on other worldly films produced in this area. There is a lot of memorabilia here to look at as well as a short 15 minute movie on the history. Lots of parking, gift shop and restrooms on site.
Written July 25, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rebecca T
Pasadena, CA34 contributions
Aug 2024 • Family
This Museum is small but packed with fascinating film memorabilia. The posters were particularly good. This is probably a short visit (30-45 min) unless someone in your group is really into westerns. But it's very air conditioned, clean bathrooms and water bottle refill station, and fun and interesting items - a great road trip stop!
Written August 26, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We3luv2travel
Big Bear Region, CA248 contributions
Jun 2022
This was our 2nd visit. This place does such a great job and it's so wonderful that they are keeping the history of the area alive. So much to see and learn here. Even our 4 year old grand-daughter loved it. And how can you beat $5 entrance fee. Just go and support them and learn some amazing American film making history.
Written October 23, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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