We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it again: It’s time for kids to put down those phones and stop texting, even if it’s just for a little while, so they can appreciate some rich history from an era long before mobile devices and the internet. Museums represent the perfect conduit to this foray into the past, so if you have been looking for a way to get the young ones away from their computer screens and cell phones long enough for a fun-filled weekend, we have some great suggestions that will involve the whole family.
When it comes to museums near Woodland Hills, the following examples should be a good starting point as you attempt to introduce a generation raised on a steady diet of texting, video conferencing and selfies to historic hands-on experiences.
Leonis Adobe Museum, located at 23537 Calabasas Road in Calabasas, is dedicated to restoring, preserving and sharing the last of the old west – here, you and the family can experience California ranch life of the late 1800s, visit a Victorian-style early Los Angeles home, see what a jail was like in the “Wild West” and enjoy a picnic in picturesque Calabasas Creek Park with its antique ironwork and charming gardens.
Skirball Cultural Center, located at 2701 North Sepulveda Boulevard in the Brentwood area and nestled in the Santa Monica Mountains, offers a distinctive architectural setting with interactive exhibitions, enriching programs and stunning private events in a space designed to uplift the spirit and the community. Established in 1996, Skirball welcomes people of all creeds and generations to participate in cultural experiences that celebrate discovery and hope, foster human connections and call upon us to help build a more just society.
Valley Relics Museum, located at 7900 Balboa Boulevard Hangar C3/C4 in Lake Balboa, endeavors to collect, preserve, interpret and present the history of the San Fernando Valley and surrounding areas for the purpose of sharing with residents and visitors alike the stories of those who shaped the region. The museum boasts a vast collection of historical artifacts including rare documents, photographs, vintage neon signs, post cards, yearbooks, negatives, clothing, books, art, automobiles and BMX bikes from the Valley’s past.
The Japanese Garden, gorgeously situated at 6100 Woodley Avenue in Van Nuys, is, as its namesake suggests, a world of meditating calm – a place in the midst of the busy San Fernando Valley that acts as an oasis by way of a six-and-a-half-acre “three gardens in one” layout: A dry Zen meditation garden, a “wet strolling” garden and a charming tea garden. Using water as a design element, The Japanese Garden is an example of “chisen style” in which a pond or lake occupies the most significant portion of the land; designed by Dr. Koichi Kawana, the garden was assimilated with its environment and nearby architecture.
The Frederick R. Weisman Museum of Art, located at 24255 Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu, is nestled in the beautiful rolling hills of the area on the campus of Pepperdine University and boasts a priceless view – before you even step foot into the facility. The gallery is well-lit and has plenty of room to walk around and enjoy the art on display, much of which over the years has included the works of Andy Warhol amongst other notables. The first floor consists of canvas paintings depicting everything there is to love about southern California beaches, right down to beautifully-rendered lifeguard stations, while the second floor offers a mix of mediums – from additional canvas paintings to watercolor creations, sculptures and more, all capturing bits of the Los Angeles lifestyle.
Museums near Woodland Hills aren’t difficult to find…but they are important slices of our community, especially if you’re teaching the little ones that there’s more to life than cell phones.
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