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William
S. Hart created a film style that
revealed an authentic vision of the Old
West.
 He made a major contribution to
film history by developing and embodying
the prototype of the frontier hero.
Fame, artistic recognition, and wealth,
were Hart's rewards.
True
to the spirit of Western heroes he had
portrayed on screen, Hart was humbly
grateful to the fans who had supported
his film career. When he died in 1946 he
left the bulk of his estate to the
County of Los Angeles, stipulating that
his house and the ranch property were to
be used as a museum and public park.
For many years, funds raised by the
Friends have been used to help maintain
the mansion, help with the animals in
the park and clean/restore numerous art
treasures.
La
Loma de los Vientos
(The Hill of the Winds)
The Hart Museum sits atop a hill within
a large park area. It is a house museum
that was once the retirement home of
William S. Hart, a silent-screen cowboy
movie star.
The Spanish colonial Revival style
mansion contains original furnishings,
an impressive collection
of western art, mementos of early
Hollywood and
Native American artifacts.
In
addition, there is a furnished 1910
ranch house which is open for unguided
tours.
The surrounding park grounds are
operated by the Los Angeles County
Department of Parks and Recreation.
Picnic facilities are available in the
park. There is a nature trail, a live
farm animal exhibit, and a herd of bison
occupies part of the range area of this
260 acre
"Horseshoe
Ranch."
William S. Hart park is less than an
hour's drive from most areas of Los
Angeles.
From mid-September to mid-June, (free
tours of the house are available)
Wednesday through Friday, 10 am to 1 PM
(last tour at 12:30)
Saturday and Sunday, 11 am to 4 PM
(last tour at 3:30).
In summer, tours are available Wednesday
through Sunday,
11 am to 4 PM
(last tour at 3:30)
Handicap accommodations are available |
