william s. hart museum & ranch

Our good Northern California friend (the bride) was marrying a real West Virginia cowboy on the day after the Rose Parade. Which had been part of their pre-wedding activities for those guests able to go. The William S. Hart Museum and Ranch were the perfect site for the cowboy themed wedding and reception. The activities (Wedding and then Reception) were both held in the Hall which had originally been the pole barn for the property. After the ceremony the bride and groom had pre-arranged for the guests that wanted to were able take a tour of the Hart house (up the hill). It was very interesting to learn about this silent film movie star and to see his home which was all in original condition (about 100 years old). The tour and tour guide were excellent.It was a good thing that the bride had arranged for a shuttle bus to take us all up and down the hill as it would have been too much of a walk for most of the guests.This is an excellent facility for a small and intimate wedding. Visiting the house for a tour was "icing on the cake"!Something different to see if you are in the area and have extra time!

My husband, dog and I enjoyed a very relaxing lunch from a local taqueria in the park, enjoying the sounds of nature and the beauty of this clean park that I remember from my childhood. Can't wait to come back to hike up the hill to the museum and home of this famous hometown cowboy. Also want to check out the animals that live here as well........small but quaint and very relaxing to enjoy.

Recently visited this place with a company and sales force I was flown in to speak to. Great "after" event site for our western themed party. The house has been well maintained and the museum they've turned it into was full of interesting exhibits and stories about William S. Hart, popular silent film cowboy movie star of the 1910-1920's. The dinner theatre murder mystery we had after the museum tour was pretty cool as well.

This was my first visit. Perhaps because it was December 31, the Hart home was open for all guests to wander around at their leisure. We were told that this was not standard practice, but the fact that there were docents throughout the home to answer questions made the visit very interesting. The staff is quite friendly and knowledgeable, and jumped at every chance to answer questions. I was told that the tours last 30 minutes, and that’s about how long we spent in the mansion.Although Hart’s mansion is big (10,000 SF) it is much more homey than palatial. The plaster walls, wood and tile floors, and wooden ceiling beams are dead giveaways that a “cowboy” lived here. Out of the 22 rooms, I think we were able to see about a dozen or so. The furnishings and art are very good, and there are even some movie set props that were incorporated into the décor. Take note of: the Navaho rugs, a letter from Wyatt Earp, a photo of Amelia Earhart, some very cool boots and saddles and the giant Alaskan Kodiak bear rug.The museum down the hill is definitely worth checking out. Mr. Hart had this “ranch house” built as a movie set (the walls are removable) but he also stayed here while visiting the property before the mansion was completed (1927). It now contains lots of western movie memorabilia including a small, but impressive, collection of saddles and tack near the back door. Be sure to watch the films that are showing continuously. The filming techniques were noteworthy in that the action scenes were shot while right in the middle of galloping horses and speeding wagons.The grounds are fairly scenic. From the parking lot, it’s about a quarter-mile walk uphill to the mansion, but it’s not very strenuous. Proximate to the mansion are a tower, a tea house and a sun deck. The views are very good.Notes:* Free parking is near the park entrance on Newhall Avenue* Free admission* For those unable to walk up the hill; call beforehand to make arrangements (I noticed several parking spots next to the home)* Photograph anything you want, but NO FLASH* Minimum time budget: 30 mins for the mansion; 15 mins for the ranch house; 15 mins for walking the grounds and taking photos* On a breezy day, the wind cranks at the top of the hill; if it’s cold AND breezy be prepared to shiver

I took relatives to our local museum for the day. It is a free tour that I have taken many times, but not in recent years. The guides were extremely knowledgeable about the history and many pictures, paintings and artifacts within. I was a little disappointed in not being able to go in some rooms that were previously accessible, and that Hart's extensive gun collection had been moved to the Gene Autrey Museum. Aside from that, it was a great tour and a good way to spend an hour while visiting the park.

Visited today and it was a nice tour but I remember liking it a lot more 25 years ago when I was a kid. The hike to the house it strait uphill. The tour was nice. I was disappointed to hear the gun collection I loved as a child was stolen in 1991. Didn't get a chance to see the zoo or other parts of the grounds. It make for a nice day considering the tour and everything is free

See the animals and take a walk on the trail to the Hart home overlooking the SCV. What a fantastic view. Enjoy the park and have a picnic with your family.

A steep climb up the canyon to get to the house -well worth it. If an issue arrange to be able to drive up the narrow road to the house. Keep a look out for the buffalo!

This place is a lot of fun, and perfect for families and people who like to hike. The attractions are the old buildings that were once a movie set and then the hideaway for William Hart and old time western movie star. A lot of famous people visited the place, that include many famous actors and aviators such as Barbara Stanwick, Charles Lindberg, and Amelia Earhart. The trails are well kept, slightly challenging, go a long ways and have some beautiful vistas.

This was my fav museum as a kid. Something about the cowboyness of it just made it fun. Tours of the residence are free, but only in the morning. Otherwise you are free to roam the park and visit the petting zoo.

A great half day experience for families of all ages. The story behind the original owner William S. Hart and his house is of interest to all. The house can be viewed on a private 30 minute tour. It remains authentic to the period.A small gift shop at the entrance has many interesting items including cold drinks for the fairly steep walk up to the house. The only thing it lacks is a little coffee shop/tea room. Every old property open to the public in the UK has a quaint tea room where local produce is used to provide snacks and refreshments. On the map you get of the property, one is identified but this is just a kind of 'children's play house." I think this could be adapted at weekends as it is adjacent to sunny courtyard and would help generate extra income towards the upkeep of the property. Animals for the younger kids- including bison!

My family and I had a really nice time. We first visited the barnyard, where you can feed the animals. Then we went into the Ranch House, which preserves a lot of the actor's western themed items. Then we hiked uphill to his mansion, which was very interesting to find that everything was preserved. It is a very interesting historical place to visit.

The home of William S Hart is a interesting place to visit. There are free tours several days a week. Tour was about 30 minutes. The home is beautiful, set on a hill and full of interesting Western themed items and Native art. I loved the house; so much more character than the giant "McMansions" that the well-off build these days. The living room was spectacular. Original fixtures in the kitchen and bathroom give some insight into life in the 1920s/30s. The ranch house at the bottom of the hill also has rooms set up with original furniture and fixtures from the 1900s. It's a bit of a hike to the Hart home on top of the hill but nice views. We saw the bison on the hills but didn't visit the "barnyard" at the bottom of the hill and the "trading post" was already closed. Park looks like it might make a nice picnic area.

Been here many times over the years and it's always enjoyable. Kids will love the animal section where you can buy feed and feed them. Then there is a small little hike to get to the museum at the top of the hill but definitely worth it. You may even see Bison if you are there at the right time. Be sure to see scheduled times for a free tour of the mansion. Kids will ask to come back, I know I did!

This free museum and park is a really nice place to visit for a morning. It's a little hard to find, but your GPS should get you there. Follow the signs and hike up to the top of the hill (I think you can make arrangements to drive if you can't hike). The hike is beautiful. Great views and you'll probably see some bison. The tour of the house is very interesting. We spent about two hours there, but you could spend more.