Palo Alto and the Bay Area Museums and Collections

Intel Museum American Heritage USS Hornet Museum

Iris & B. Gerald Cantor Center for Visual Arts. The Iris & B. Gerald Cantor Center for Visual Arts includes the historic Museum building, a new 42,000-square-foot wing, collections and exhibitions in 24 galleries, Rodin Sculpture Garden and outdoor sculpture garden areas. The new wing has special exhibition galleries, the collection of modern and contemporary art, an auditorium, café and bookstore. The elegant museum has galleries devoted to everything from 19th century American art to contemporary artists. Campus Sculpture Stanford has an extensive collection of outdoor art, including more than 70 sculptures by Auguste Rodin and Joan Miro. Not to be missed is the Center’s famed Rodin Sculpture Garden housing the largest collection of August Rodin sculptures outside of Paris, including Gates of Hell. The Papua New Guinea Sculpture Garden features the carving methods, cultural traditions and mythological heritage of the Papua New Guinea. Call 650- 723-4177.

Intel Museum. At the Intel Museum, visitors are immersed in the micro-miniature world of computer chips as they learn how they are designed, manufactured and placed into thousands of products in our everyday world. The Intel Museum has 3,500 square feet of interactive exhibits that appeal to both children and adults. It is designed as a self-guided experience, but guided tours may be arranged in advance for groups. Visit www.intel.com/intel/intelis/museum/ for more information.

The Tech Museum of Innovation. The Tech Museum of Innovation is an educational resource that engages people of all ages and backgrounds in exploring and experiencing technologies affecting their lives. The museum inspires the young to become innovators in the technologies of the future. Featuring a new IMAX Theatre and science camps for children, the Tech Museum is located in downtown San Jose. Call 408- 294-TECH or visit http://www.thetech.org.  [Top]

Museum of American Heritage. 351 Homer Ave., Palo Alto. Experience a visual exploration of technology's past. MOAH features rotating special exhibits as well as permanent displays, including a kitchen of the early 20th century, a doctor's examining room, early 20th-century general store, print shop of the 1920s-'30s, radio shop of the '40s, and historic gardens undergoing preservation. The Frank Livermore Learning Center contains educational facilities and classes that awaken students' scientific curiosity and mechanical inventiveness. Special tours and lectures. Hours: Fri-Sun 11 a.m.-4 p.m.. Call 650- 321-1004 or send email to: mail@moah.org.

Palo Alto Art Center. 1313 Newell Road, Palo Alto. A nationally recognized visual arts center presenting approximately 12 exhibitions annually, the Palo Alto Art Center focuses on a wide range of concepts; contemporary fine art, craft, design and new art forms. Fine art classes are held for adults and children in painting, drawing, new media, ceramics and jewelry. Project LOOK! offers docent-led tours with hands-on activities for children. The Gallery Shop features unique jewelry, ceramics, glass, wood and paper works by Bay Area artists. Hours: Tue-Sat 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Tue-Thu 7-10 p.m.; Sun 1-5 p.m. Call 329-2366. Email: artcenter@cityofpaloalto.org.  [Top]

USS Hornet Museum. Visit the San Francisco Bay Area's most unique museum, the USS Hornet - a ship that affected the course of history. The aircraft carrier USS Hornet is a national treasure, having participated in World War II and the Apollo 11 manned space mission. Now peacefully moored at historic Alameda Point on San Francisco Bay, the USS Hornet is a timeless memorial to those who defended American values and to those who have pursued America's technological advancements.

Children's Discovery Museum Of San Jose. The Children's Discovery Museum opened its doors in June 1990. Since then, the Museum has welcomed over 2.5 million visitors and has offered new interactive exhibits each year that respond to children's diverse educational needs, nuture their cognitive development, and celebrate their role in our lives. For more information, call 408- 298-5437 or visit http://www.cdm.org.  [Top]