The Spirit of the Old West Gallery is dedicated to presenting a balanced narrative of both Native Americans and American Settlers—depicting their challenges, their successes and failures, their ways of life. These inspiring stories make up the larger American Story, and the Blackhawk Museum wishes to educate and entertain while preserving these important histories for future generations.
The Art of Africa Gallery brings the beauty and folklore of sub-Saharan African culture to life through wooden sculpture, ceremonial ritual, and music.
The Into China Gallery features exceptional reproductions and fine works of art from China, including the Imperial Dragon Throne and an intricate model of the Forbidden City.
The World of Nature Gallery is focused on educating visitors about the incredible diversity of nature and the need to protect and nurture our environment.
Parking is FREE at the Blackhawk Museum.
Beautiful museum!
$15 per adult and you can leave the museum and come back within the same day with the receipt.
We came on a day where they were setting up a wedding reception in the antique car exhibit so that was cool! I didn't know you can rent out the museum.
The museum was quiet and not crowded on a Saturday afternoon. There's about 5 different exhibits to walk through and it's a nice place to spend time.
Free parking and if you're hungry afterwards, you can hit up the restaurants!
If you're looking for a great museum in a safe area with easy parking and plenty of restaurants nearby, consider the Blackhawk Museum.
It's a little out of the way but that's a bonus if you like a little drive out of the Immediate Bay Area.
The NOR-cal Shelby American club used to meet there, that's how I was aware of it. So I went for the top notch car collection. I was hoping to see a few more Muscle Cars, but my family and I were very interested in the other diverse historical, cultural, and fauna exhibits.
They have an excellent old West and Indian exhibit, which I found thought provoking in its commemoration of their struggles, animals of North America , and a Africa and China exhibit ( with many historical anecdotes I found interesting like the circumstances in which the early Qin Dynasty emperor died) sure to round out your experience.
Before or after you can get a quick burger and shake at Beeps Just down the steps from the museum.
What a cool museum. I consider myself a museum buff and loved my visit here. I have lived in this area for years and always thought Blackhawk Museum was a car museum only. It is WAY MORE than that!
There was such a large variety of exhibits that there was something of interest for everyone in my group, which ranged from a preteen to over 50! My favorite exhibit was the animals on the lower level. It was a delight to my visual and auditory senses!
This is a museum I would take kids of any age, including adult "kids"! :)
Tips:
- You can buy tickets online or at the front door. There is no price savings to purchase online.
- Check online for hours because some days they don't open.
- The museum looks small from the outside, but it's actually quite large. I would plan 2-3 hours to walk through the rooms, or longer if you like reading the signs.
Art of Africa Gallery at Blackhawk Museum presents a stunning array of sub-Saharan African art from ceremonial masks, to massive tree of life sculptures, traditional musical instruments, and more. In this richly curated gallery, visitors can browse beautiful African artifacts, paintings from renowned artists, and antique weapons of all kinds.
For tickets, visit www.blackhawkmuseum.org
The Spirit of the Old West gallery at Blackhawk Museum showcases the experience of the trans-formative period in American History, as told from the perspective of both the Native Americans and the pioneer settlers, providing a unique and immersive educational experience for all ages. Visitors can explore the story of the Old West from two perspectives, while separating the truth from the myths of the time period.
On the left half of the gallery, visitors can explore our extensive collection of artifacts from the Native American tribal peoples, ranging from the items used in daily tribal life, to spiritual and ceremonial pieces, to the weapons used in conflict.
Equally on display are a multitude of exhibits from the pioneers and first settlers; fur trappers, immigrants, gunfighters, the Calvary & more. Included in the collection is one of the largest dioramas in North America, over 100 feet long and containing over 30,000 figurines depicting the changing landscape of the time. The gallery also includes some of the rarest Colt guns ever displayed - graciously curated by Jerry Fick.
By Appointment only
