stagecoach inn museum

Located just off the 101 Freeway in Newbury Park, the small but packed Museum and adjoining grounds gives visitors a look at what was a hotel and stagecoach depot at the turn of the 20th century. The staff are very pleasant, helpful, and knowledgable. For a $5 admission visitors are given an interesting and informative tour of the old hotel. Visitors are able to view many old photos, furniture, an old, pre running water kitchen, a collection of gramophones, old irons and many other interesting items, as well as visit the hotel rooms. Also available, only on weekends, is a school house, a blacksmiths shop, a carriage house, a nature train, and a replica of a pioneer home of the period. The museum is only open in the afternoon. An interesting journey for a weekend afternoon.

Don't let the size of this museum fool you! While living in this area for 19 years I have always been curious about the museum but never took the time until recently & I'm glad I did!There is an entrance fee ($5/ per person) but if you are interested in the history of Ventura County this is a very small price to pay to gain knowledge.The museum is a hidden wealth of Ventura county trivia! I had to google it to find it & if you're not paying attention you'll drive right by it.As we pulled into the parking lot you will see a building which looks like someone's home or a hotel of the old days of the Wild West! It was actually combination of both!Our tour guide knew quite a bit about everything within the building as well as the area. Very very interesting! I had no idea that at one time long ago there was private zoo, animal training facility & animal theme park called Jungleland located here on Thousand Oaks boulevard. The animals were used in films in Hollywood in the 1930's -1960'sI also had no idea that this area was once considered part of Santa Barbara County!!!The staff is very friendly & will answer any questions you may have for them!So if you are from the area & want to learn more......stop in!

The Stagecoach Inn Museum is a great place to experience what old California was like. The docents are very knowledgeable, and there are a lot of beautiful antiques to view. The recent addition of the blacksmith's shop is an added bonus. Overall, a very enjoyable visit for not a lot of money.

Thoroughly enjoyed this gem. We had two grandkids in tow (they were the reason for the visit) and they remained interested throughout the entire time and that is hard to do. The docents were very well informed as to the history of the location as well as the way of life for the people who lived during that time period. The museum has many interesting pieces for those of you who easily tire of looking at bones and rocks at other museums. There are a couple of different styles of buildings, and even some indian village scenes. I would highly recommend not only to those passing through the area, but to those of us lucky enough to live in the area. It is a piece of history that is being well maintained. Stop by, you won't regret that you did. Perfect for a leisurely afternoon and a picnic lunch.

The Stagecoach Inn was a fun afternoon. The docents are very informative and have a passion for the local history. This is a great activity for 3rd - 5th grades or older adults who appreciate local and early California history. There are only 3 articles in the Inn that are original as everything else was destroyed when the Inn burned down in 1970.There are all sorts of displays, Victorian furniture, working Victorolas, 19th century rifles/pistols, art pieces made from human hair, a Jungle Land exhibit and much more. Outside on the grounds are full-size replicas of the Triunfo schoolhouse, a carriagehouse with authentic Stagecoaches in it and a couple of homes that represent what early inhabitants of the Conejo Valley might have lived in. The grounds also have the oldest sycamore tree in the valley. The tree is huge and amazing.Allow yourself 2-3 hours to "leisurely" see everything. A speed tour can be done in an hour. There is a gift shop that sells county-style knick-knacks.