Southwest Museum, the oldest museum in Los Angeles, constructed in 1911, surrounded by trees and park greenery

Southwest Museum Of The American Indian

Southwest Museum of the American Indian Los Angeles: Visiting Hours, Tickets, and Historical Site Guide

Date: 04/07/2025

Introduction

Perched atop Mount Washington in Los Angeles, the Southwest Museum of the American Indian is one of the city’s oldest and most significant cultural institutions. Founded in 1907 by Charles Fletcher Lummis, a historian and advocate for the Indigenous peoples of the American Southwest, the museum was envisioned as a center for preserving, studying, and sharing Native American art, artifacts, and histories. Its Mission Revival architecture, completed in 1914, remains an iconic feature and a designated historic landmark in Los Angeles (Autry Museum, L.A. Conservancy).

Over its long history, the Southwest Museum has amassed one of the largest collections of Native American material culture in the United States. While the original Mount Washington campus is currently closed to the public due to preservation and safety concerns, the museum’s collections and research library are now stewarded by the Autry Museum of the American West in Griffith Park. Visitors can explore these collections through rotating exhibitions, special programs, and digital resources (Autry Museum, LA Times).

This guide provides comprehensive information on the museum’s history, cultural significance, current visiting options, ticketing, accessibility, and travel tips, ensuring a meaningful experience whether you visit in person or virtually.

Southwest Museum building in Los Angeles with palm trees and clear sky

Introduction
Founding and Early Years
Growth of Collections and Research
Key Figures and Community Involvement
Cultural Significance and Educational Mission
Preservation and Challenges
Visiting the Southwest Museum of the American Indian
Architectural and Cultural Highlights
Collection Highlights
Digital Resources and Virtual Tours
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Conclusion
References and Further Reading

Founding and Early Years

The Southwest Museum of the American Indian was established in 1907 by Charles Fletcher Lummis—a journalist, historian, and preservationist passionate about Indigenous cultures (Autry Museum). The museum opened its Mission Revival style building in 1914, chosen for its hilltop location with sweeping views of Los Angeles. The site itself became a landmark, symbolizing the city’s embrace of the Southwest’s romanticized past (Museums Database).

Growth of Collections and Research

From its inception, the museum focused on collecting artifacts from the Pueblo, Navajo (Diné), Apache, Hopi, Tongva, and other Indigenous nations of the Southwest. By the mid-20th century, its collections included over 250,000 objects—pottery, textiles, basketry, jewelry, and archaeological materials—making it one of the largest Native American collections in the country (Museums Database). The Braun Research Library, established as part of the museum, houses over 20,000 volumes, rare manuscripts, and archival photographs, serving as a crucial resource for scholars and Native communities (Autry Museum Collections).

Key Figures and Community Involvement

Charles Fletcher Lummis’s vision and leadership were central to the museum’s growth. Other key contributors include Bertha Parker Cody, one of the first Native American female archaeologists, who served as a trustee and educator, bridging academic research and Native community perspectives (Autry Museum). Philanthropists like Almira Hershey also played pivotal roles in expanding the museum’s facilities.

Cultural Significance and Educational Mission

The Southwest Museum has been instrumental in documenting and interpreting the histories of Indigenous peoples of both the greater Southwest and the Los Angeles basin—particularly the Gabrielino/Tongva people (Autry Museum). The museum has fostered education through lectures, workshops, guided tours, and its publication, “Masterkey.” Its archives preserve invaluable oral histories and ethnographic recordings, safeguarding cultural knowledge for future generations.

Preservation and Challenges

Despite its prominence, the Southwest Museum has faced significant challenges, including financial constraints, the need for seismic retrofitting, and the imperative to address colonial legacies in museum practice. In 2003, the museum merged with the Autry Museum of the American West to secure its future, leading to new resources and renewed focus on Indigenous representation and stewardship (Museums Database).

The museum building itself has been closed to the public since 2022 due to safety and preservation concerns, with much of the collection relocated to the Autry’s state-of-the-art Resources Center for conservation (LA Times, WhichMuseum).

Visiting the Southwest Museum of the American Indian

Visiting Hours and Tickets

Mount Washington Campus:

Currently closed to the public due to structural and preservation concerns.
No regular exhibitions or ticket sales at this site.

Autry Museum of the American West (Griffith Park):

Address: 4700 Western Heritage Way, Los Angeles, CA 90027
Hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM; closed Mondays
Tickets: Adults $15; Seniors (65+) and Students $12; Children under 12 free; discounts for groups and members
Access to Southwest Museum collections included with general admission (Autry Museum)

Check the Autry Museum website for the latest ticketing and visiting information.

Accessibility and Travel Tips

Autry Museum: Fully ADA accessible, with accessible parking and facilities.
Southwest Museum Mount Washington site: Historically challenging for visitors with mobility needs; currently closed.
Public Transit: Autry Museum is accessible by car, public transportation, and ride-share services; parking is available on-site.
Nearby Attractions: Griffith Park (hiking, Los Angeles Zoo, Griffith Observatory), Lummis House.

Special Events and Guided Tours

While the Mount Washington site is closed, the Autry Museum offers special events, cultural workshops, artist talks, and guided tours that highlight Indigenous histories and Southwest Museum collections. Programs are regularly updated—check the Autry Museum events calendar for current offerings.

Architectural and Cultural Highlights

Architectural Significance

Design: Mission Revival and Spanish Colonial Revival styles by architects Sumner P. Hunt and Silas Reese Burns.
Features: Stucco walls, red-tiled roofs, iconic tower, and hilltop gardens with native plants (L.A. Conservancy, California Through My Lens).
Recognition: Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument; listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Cultural Impact

The museum has been a gathering place for community events and a symbol of cultural identity in Northeast Los Angeles. Its role in preservation and education has influenced generations of Angelenos and shaped regional heritage (Archinect, Save Southwest Museum).

Collection Highlights

The Southwest Museum’s collection, now housed at the Autry, is one of the most comprehensive in the U.S. and includes:

Basketry: Works from Pomo, Apache, Hopi, Chumash, and more. Notable: Pomo feather baskets (Autry Museum Collections).
Textiles: Navajo rugs, Pueblo weavings, Andean textiles.
Pottery: Hopi, Zuni, and Acoma ceramics tracing centuries of artistic evolution.
Jewelry: Silverwork, beadwork, and turquoise jewelry from Navajo, Zuni, and Hopi artisans.
Archaeological Artifacts: Tools, projectile points, ceramics, and ritual objects from major sites, including those excavated during the Hendricks–Hodge expedition at Hawikku (National Museum of the American Indian).
Photographs and Archives: Thousands of historical images, manuscripts, and rare books in the Braun Research Library (Autry Museum Collections).

Digital Resources and Virtual Tours

The Autry Museum offers digital access to many collections, online exhibitions, and virtual tours for remote engagement (Autry Museum Exhibition Data). The museum’s website features interactive maps, galleries, and educational resources.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Is the Southwest Museum’s Mount Washington building open to the public?
A: No, the building is currently closed due to safety and preservation concerns.

Q: How can I see the Southwest Museum’s collections?
A: Visit the Autry Museum in Griffith Park, where many collections are displayed.

Q: Are tickets required?
A: Yes, Autry Museum admission includes access to Southwest Museum collections.

Q: Is the Autry Museum accessible?
A: Yes, it is fully ADA accessible.

Q: Are guided tours available?
A: Yes, guided tours and special events are offered at the Autry Museum.

Q: Can I access the archives for research?
A: Scholars and tribal representatives may access archives by appointment at the Chrystina and James R. Parks Research Center.

Conclusion

The Southwest Museum of the American Indian remains a cornerstone of Los Angeles’s cultural landscape, preserving and celebrating the diverse histories and traditions of Indigenous peoples. While the original building is currently closed, its invaluable collections are accessible at the Autry Museum of the American West, where visitors can participate in exhibitions, events, and research. Ongoing preservation efforts, community engagement, and digital resources ensure that the museum’s legacy endures for future generations.

Plan your visit today by checking the Autry Museum website for current hours, ticketing, and event information. For those unable to visit in person, explore digital collections and virtual tours online.

Experience the enduring spirit of the American Southwest and support the preservation of Native American heritage at the Southwest Museum of the American Indian.