Museum of American Heritage, Palo Alto

Name: Museum of American Heritage
Address: 351 Homer Ave, Palo Alto, 94301-2727, United States
Telephone: +1 650-321-1004

#3 among attractions in Palo Alto

Top attraction, Museum, History museum

Gallery (7)

Map

Gallery

Photo details 1. Wikipedia / CC BY-SA 4.0 / DanielPenfield / URL • 2. Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 / Gazebo / URL • 3. Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 / DanielPenfield / URL • 4. Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 2.0 / Jacopo Werther / URL • 5. Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 / DanielPenfield / URL • 6. Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 / DanielPenfield / URL • 7. Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 / DanielPenfield / URL

Facts and practical information

Nestled in the heart of Silicon Valley, the Museum of American Heritage in Palo Alto, California, offers visitors a unique glimpse into the life and innovations that shaped America from the late 19th century to the mid-20th century. This charming museum, set in a historic home amidst a picturesque garden, is a cultural gem for those interested in the technological advances and everyday life of past generations.

The museum's collection boasts a wide array of artifacts that tell the story of American innovation and ingenuity. From antique household appliances and vintage radios to early computing devices, the exhibits showcase the evolution of technology and how it impacted domestic life. The displays are thoughtfully curated to provide an educational and engaging experience, making it ideal for both history buffs and families.

One of the highlights of the Museum of American Heritage is its commitment to interactive learning. Throughout the year, the museum hosts various workshops, demonstrations, and educational programs designed to bring history to life. Visitors can participate in activities such as building crystal radios or engaging in printmaking workshops, offering a hands-on approach to understanding the past.

The museum operates in a beautifully restored home that adds to the authenticity of the experience. The building itself, surrounded by a lush garden, provides a tranquil oasis in the bustling city of Palo Alto. Guests can enjoy a leisurely stroll through the gardens, which feature a variety of plants and flowers that were popular during the museum's represented eras.

Admission to the Museum of American Heritage is typically free, though donations are welcome to support its preservation and educational programs. It's open from Friday to Sunday, making it an ideal weekend excursion for those visiting the Bay Area. Conveniently located near other Palo Alto attractions, the museum can easily be included in a broader itinerary exploring the city's rich cultural landscape.

Established: 1990 (34 years ago)Visitors per year: 10 thous.Coordinates: 37°26'40"N, 122°9'29"W

Address

351 Homer AvePalo Alto (University South)Palo Alto 94301-2727 United States

Contact

+1 650-321-1004

Website

Social media

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Palo Alto

Day trips

Museum of American Heritage – popular in the area (distance from the attraction)

Nearby attractions include: Stanford Shopping Center, Cantor Arts Center, Stanford Theatre, HP Garage.

0.7 miW
Shopping, Shopping centre
Stanford Shopping Center, Palo Alto
19 min walk • Stanford Shopping Center is an upscale open air shopping mall located on Route 82 at Sand Hill Road in Palo Alto, California. It is on the campus of Stanford University although the university only owns the land and not the actual buildings or stores.
1.1 miSW
Museum, Art museum
Cantor Arts Center, Palo Alto
28 min walk • The Iris & B. Gerald Cantor Center for Visual Arts at Stanford University, formerly the Stanford University Museum of Art, and commonly known as the Cantor Arts Center, is an art museum on the campus of Stanford University in Stanford, California.
~1490 ftW
Nightlife, Theater, Cinema
Stanford Theatre, Palo Alto
8 min walk • The Stanford Theatre is a classical independent movie theater in Palo Alto, California. It was designed and built in the 1920s as a movie palace styled in neoclassical Persian and Moorish architecture.
~1050 ftSE
Historic garage where HP got its start
HP Garage, Palo Alto
6 min walk • The HP Garage is a private museum where the company Hewlett-Packard was founded. It is located at 367 Addison Avenue in Palo Alto, California. It is considered to be the "Birthplace of Silicon Valley".
0.9 miSW
Museum, Memorial, Cemetery
Stanford Mausoleum, Palo Alto
22 min walk • The Stanford Mausoleum, located in the Northwest of the Stanford University campus in the Stanford University Arboretum, holds the remains of the university's namesake Leland Stanford, Jr. and his parents Leland and Jane Stanford.
0.9 miSW
Park
Arizona Cactus Garden, Palo Alto
24 min walk • The Arizona Cactus Garden, or, officially, Arizona Garden, also known as the Cactus Garden, is a small botanical garden specializing in cactus and succulents.
0.8 miE
Children's museum, Museum, Zoo
Palo Alto Junior Museum and Zoo, Palo Alto
20 min walk • Palo Alto Junior Museum and Zoo is located in Palo Alto, California and part of the City of Palo Alto's Community Services Department. It was founded in 1934 by Josephine O’Hara in the basement of a local elementary school.
0.7 miW
Tiny park with a sequoia tree and a trail
El Palo Alto, Palo Alto
18 min walk • El Palo Alto is a coastal redwood tree located in El Palo Alto Park on the banks of San Francisquito Creek in Palo Alto, California, United States. It is famous for its historical significance and as the namesake of the city of Palo Alto. In July 2016, El Palo Alto was 110 feet in height, down from 162.2 feet in 1814.
1 miE
Museum, Art gallery, Shopping
Palo Alto Art Center, Palo Alto
27 min walk • The Palo Alto Art Center is a multi-purpose center open to the public for art activities for all ages, located at 1313 Newell Road in Palo Alto, California.
0.6 miN
Greek Revival architecture
John Adam Squire House, Palo Alto
17 min walk • The John Adam Squire House is a historic house in Palo Alto, California. It was built in 1904-1905 for John Adam Squire, a Greek professor. Squire lived here with his wife Georgina and their three daughters until his death in 1930. His wife died in 1959.
1 miSW
Park
Stanford University Arboretum, Palo Alto
25 min walk • The Stanford University Arboretum is an arboretum located on the grounds of Stanford University in Stanford, California. It is open to the public daily without charge.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

When is Museum of American Heritage open?

Museum of American Heritage is open:

Monday closed
Tuesday closed
Wednesday closed
Thursday closed
Friday 11 am - 4 pm
Saturday 11 am - 4 pm
Sunday 11 am - 4 pm

Which popular attractions are close to Museum of American Heritage?

Nearby attractions include St. Thomas Aquinas Church, Palo Alto (2 min walk), Palo Alto Medical Clinic, Palo Alto (2 min walk), Pacific Art League, Palo Alto (4 min walk), T. B. Downing House, Palo Alto (5 min walk).

How to get to Museum of American Heritage by public transport?

The nearest stations to Museum of American Heritage:

Bus

Waverley Street & Homer Avenue • Lines: 21 (2 min walk)
Hamilton Avenue & Ramona Street • Lines: 21 (4 min walk)

Train

Palo Alto (11 min walk)
Stanford (12 min walk)