Bowers Museum is the largest in Orange County, and though only small, it thinks big in terms of exhibits. The museum specialises in cultural art, and boasts 120,000 pieces in its collections, which include artefacts from around the world and across the centuries.
As you would expect, there are items representing the history of the USA, such as a coat worn by a colonel in the American Civil War, and from the peoples who inhabited this land long before it was visited by Europeans—the Native American Art Collection is the largest in the museum, and features more than 24,000 pieces dating from prehistoric to contemporary times. But visitors will also be pleased to discover collections from farther afield, with pieces from Africa (such as a shield made from animal hide and an initiation mask from the Congo) resting alongside items from the Pacific Islands and Asia.
The museum is a great place to learn about local history and culture, with a collection of memorabilia from the early days of Orange County. For art lovers, there are over 2000 paintings on show, all of which are by local Californian artists from the last two centuries, including 40 pieces by William and Alberta McCloskey, a married couple who toured America together in the late 19th century painting portraits and still-lifes.
Younger visitors will enjoy a tour around Kidseum, an extension of the museum that combines learning and play!
In addition to these permanent exhibits, Bowers Museum also attracts a variety of visiting exhibitions, along with related films, guest lecturers, workshops and music performances. Call or visit the museum website for an event schedule and details.
The main part of the museum is open Tuesday to Sunday. Opening hours for Kidseum and special collections vary throughout the year. Entry is free on the first Sunday of the month, but be aware that if you want to view the featured exhibition on these days, you'll need to queue for a separate free ticket and then wait again to enter the exhibition space. Only 250 people are allowed into the exhibition space at any one time, so be prepared to wait on busy days.
A tour of the museum takes at least three hours. The building is set in picturesque grounds, which are well worth a visit, and the on-site restaurant ‘Tangata’ is a popular eatery—reservations are recommended.
The Bowers Museum is a five-minute drive from downtown Santa Ana. Parking is available for a fee, or you can catch a bus from downtown.
