The Wild West Isn't What You Think! Inside LA's Autry Museum
What if everything you thought you knew about the Wild West was only part of the story?
Hollywood often portrays cowboys as lone white heroes, but history tells a much richer and more diverse story. Nestled in Griffith Park, the Autry Museum of the American West challenges these familiar myths, bringing the history, art, and cultures of the American West to life.
Founded in 1988 by legendary singing cowboy Gene Autry and his wife, Jackie, the museum explores the often-overlooked contributions of Black cowboys, women, Native Americans, and immigrants who helped shape the West. In fact, historians estimate that roughly one in four cowboys was Black.
Through fascinating artifacts, immersive exhibitions, Western art, and extensive collections of Native American cultural objects, the Autry explores the complex history of the American West, from Indigenous traditions and westward expansion to the conflicts and cultural exchanges that shaped the region.
Discover why the American West is so much more than cowboys, horses, and Hollywood legends—and why this Los Angeles cultural landmark deserves a spot on your must-visit list.
Current and Upcoming Exhibits include:
🌵Promised Lands: California's Unratified Treaties and Native Resilience, September 26, 2026–July 30, 2028
🌵Life, Liberty, and Los Angeles
May 30, 2026 - January 31, 2027
🌵Creative Continuities: Family, Pride, and Community in Native Art
November 15, 2025 – June 27, 2027
📍 Autry Museum of the American West
Griffith Park, Los Angeles
Learn more: https://theautry.org/
Hollywood often portrays cowboys as lone white heroes, but history tells a much richer and more diverse story. Nestled in Griffith Park, the Autry Museum of the American West challenges these familiar myths, bringing the history, art, and cultures of the American West to life.
Founded in 1988 by legendary singing cowboy Gene Autry and his wife, Jackie, the museum explores the often-overlooked contributions of Black cowboys, women, Native Americans, and immigrants who helped shape the West. In fact, historians estimate that roughly one in four cowboys was Black.
Through fascinating artifacts, immersive exhibitions, Western art, and extensive collections of Native American cultural objects, the Autry explores the complex history of the American West, from Indigenous traditions and westward expansion to the conflicts and cultural exchanges that shaped the region.
Discover why the American West is so much more than cowboys, horses, and Hollywood legends—and why this Los Angeles cultural landmark deserves a spot on your must-visit list.
Current and Upcoming Exhibits include:
🌵Promised Lands: California's Unratified Treaties and Native Resilience, September 26, 2026–July 30, 2028
🌵Life, Liberty, and Los Angeles
May 30, 2026 - January 31, 2027
🌵Creative Continuities: Family, Pride, and Community in Native Art
November 15, 2025 – June 27, 2027
📍 Autry Museum of the American West
Griffith Park, Los Angeles
Learn more: https://theautry.org/