Founded in 1936 by the City of Santa Ana through a bequest from Charles and Ada Bowers, the Bowers Museum is one of California’s finest and Orange County’s largest museums. In 1986, the museum closed its doors for a period of self-study. In response to community needs and input, it reopened in 1992 as a new cultural center, and expanded children’s programming in 1994 with the opening of the Kidseum. 
The museum also recently celebrated the grand opening of the 30,000+ square-foot Dorothy and Donald Kennedy Wing in February 2007. To achieve its mission, the Bowers offers exhibitions, lectures, art classes, travel programs, children’s art education programs, and other special community programs.
The museum’s permanent collection includes some 130,000 objects and features notable strengths in such diverse areas as pre-Columbian America; African and Oceanic art, particularly from Papua New Guinea; and California Plein-Air paintings. The Bowers has also developed partnerships with the Smithsonian, the Nanjing Museum, the Shanghai Museum, and the British Museum, among others, to bring national and international exhibitions from the greatest museums in the world to Southern California.
Hours & Contact Information
Bowers Museum: 714.567.3600
Open: Tuesday-Sunday: 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Closed on Mondays, 4th of July, Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day
Bowers Kidseum: 714.480.1520
Tuesday-Friday: 10:00 am – 3:00 pm
Saturday-Sunday: 11:00 am – 3:00 pm
Closed on Mondays, 4th of July, Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day
Directions & Parking 
The Bowers Museum is located at the corner of 20th & Main Streets in Santa Ana – one minute from the 5 freeway, (Main St. South exit) and just minutes from the 57, 55 and 22 freeways.
Bowers Museum
2002 North Main Street
Santa Ana, CA 92706
Click here for google map
Kidseum
1802 North Main Street
Santa Ana, CA 92706
Click here for google map
Special thanks to the Bower’s Museum
