Museum of Western Film History
Museum of Western Film History
Museum of Western Film History
4.5
8:30 AM - 4:00 PM
Monday
8:30 AM - 4:00 PM
Tuesday
8:30 AM - 4:00 PM
Wednesday
8:30 AM - 4:00 PM
Thursday
8:30 AM - 4:00 PM
Friday
8:30 AM - 4:00 PM
Saturday
8:30 AM - 4:00 PM
Sunday
8:30 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 700 films and 1000 television commercials.
Suggested duration
< 1 hour
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
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4.5
546 reviews
Excellent
358
Very good
162
Average
20
Poor
2
Terrible
4
Anthony H
Modesto45 contributions
May 2021
The hours of the Museum of Wester Film History are little unusual sometimes but well worth the rescheduling. The Museum is well worth visiting not that big but packed full of cowboy western and movie history and memorabilia. It covers all of the movies shot in the nearby Alabama Hills whether Cowboy, Star wars, tremmors. All of the episodes of Gunsmoke was filmed there. It has everything from guns, automobiles and cloth from that era. I must agree with other travelers it is "Loads of Memorabilia", "A Must Visit", and "Absolutely First Class", and I would like to add "A Most Memorable Experience". Job well done.
Written May 30, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Reed
Orlando, FL1,403 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.
DigitalRabbit
Los Gatos, CA614 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.
traveller to many places
1 contribution
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.
Kirk E
Santa Fe, NM1,053 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.
foodiefool_10
Carson City, NV363 contributions
Nov 2020
If you like old westerns or are an old movie buff, you can't miss this museum. The museum is very well done and has some fascinating holdings. Part of the treat are the old film clips that you can enjoy, or the full theatre in non-Covid times. If you are going into the Alabama Hills to visit some of the old movie locations, you need to stop by this museum before or after your visit to the Hills. These two attractions really compliment each other.
We easily spent a couple of hours there.
We easily spent a couple of hours there.
Written November 7, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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.
We3luv2travel
Big Bear Region, CA245 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.
lawbster
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates143 contributions
Jan 2020
I remembered things I didn't know I'd forgotten - the amount of information and memorabilia from Cowboy shows of the 50's blew me away. Roy Rogers, Bat Masterson, The Virginian, Rawhide they were all there and about 6 or 7 others. What also suprised me was the amount of more recent filiming that has been done in Death Valley and Lone Pine in particular. The exhibit is well laid out and some real jewels in this collection! Well worth your time and attention.
Written January 7, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
TravelLover63
Connecticut259 contributions
Sep 2021
Very interesting and expansive array of western movie memorabilia. Nicely displayed tributes to many of the “greats” of the western movie genre. Very well done introductory film.
My only problem with this place is their disregard for COVID masking. The sign says “masks are required” yet neither the staff nor most of the other visitors wore masks.
My only problem with this place is their disregard for COVID masking. The sign says “masks are required” yet neither the staff nor most of the other visitors wore masks.
Written September 9, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Museum of Western Film History (Lone Pine) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go
Frequently Asked Questions about Museum of Western Film History
- Museum of Western Film History is open:
- Sun - Sat 8:30 AM - 4:00 PM
- Hotels near Museum of Western Film History:
- (0.04 mi) National 9 Trails Motel
- (0.20 mi) Dow Villa Motel
- (0.15 mi) Portal Motel
- (0.25 mi) Timberline Motel
- (0.57 mi) Best Western Frontier Motel
- Restaurants near Museum of Western Film History:
- (0.11 mi) McDonald's
- (0.16 mi) The Grill
- (0.25 mi) Alabama Hills Cafe and Bakery
- (0.27 mi) Margie's Merry Go-Round
- (0.29 mi) Season's Restaurant