Blackhawk Museum

The Blackhawk Museum, founded in 1988, is a group of museums in Danville, California, best known for its important collection of classic, rare and unique automobiles. The museum is a non-profit 501(c)3 private operating foundation.

The museum is home to about ninety classic cars. It also houses a display showing the work of the Wheelchair Foundation. The facility is located within the Blackhawk Plaza shopping center and is affiliated with the Smithsonian Affiliations program.

Founded in 1982 by a partnership between benefactor Ken Behring and Don Williams, the Blackhawk Automotive Museum opened its doors in August 1988. The museum was established to ensure that significant automotive treasures were exhibited for public enjoyment and educational enrichment. The architect based in Hacienda, Doug Dahlin, is responsible for the design of the Auto-museum.

One of the most unusual features of the museum is the 1924 Hispano-Suiza H6C with a tulipwood body. Over the years, the museum also houses the 1962 John F. Kennedy Limousine and the Chinese Hongqi Limousine, the first Chinese-made automobile to be imported to the United States.

Several changing exhibitions, representing the topics of transport, culture and science related to our society, have been hosted in various galleries and reception areas throughout the museum. Current exhibitions include a selection of American jukeboxes from the golden age of the jukebox and a display of antique gas pumps. Since 2000, the Blackhawk Automotive Museum has been a member of the Smithsonian Institution and has joined forces to bring together a variety of cultural exhibitions, historical artifacts and major automobiles from across the United States.

The museum is a partner in the organization of the local Concours d’Elegance event, which presents some of the museum’s collection among the usual entrants.

In February 2015, the Blackhawk Museum added a permanent collection of 19th-century North American artifacts called The Old West Spirit, featuring both the settler and Native American stories of North America’s European expansion in the 1800s.

Galleries

Art of Africa

The scope of African art is as vast and varied as its people. In this gallery, you will see art created by many indigenous peoples of sub-Saharan Africa. Sub-Saharan Africa is the term used to describe the area of the African continent south of the Sahara Desert. Geographically, the demarcation line is on the southern edge of the Sahara Desert. Some common features of much of the art of sub-Saharan Africa can be identified. These traits are: the human image is a favored subject, intense use of color, three-dimensional works and sculpture are more popular than paintings, abstraction is preferred over realism, and art makes useful objects more beautiful.

Classic Car Collection

The Blackhawk Museum’s automotive exhibition presents and displays historically significant and artistically inspired automobiles from the earliest to the present. With a rotating selection of more than 40 historic classics, sports and stylish cars, as well as traveling exhibitions, every visit is unique.

Spirit of the Old West

The Old West Spirit is dedicated to presenting a balanced narrative of both Native Americans and American settlers — depicting their challenges, their successes and failures, their way of life. These inspiring stories make up the larger American Story, and the Blackhawk Museum wants to educate and entertain, while preserving these important stories for future generations.

Into China

Into China is a story spanning several thousand years. Visitors will experience some of the finest handmade masterpieces that reflect the vast scale of the country and capture the essence of all that embodies China, past and present culturally. This permanent exhibition is open all year round and includes general admission to the Museum.

World of Nature

World of Nature is an incredible and extensive collection of carefully selected animal species from all over the world. With more than 600 species on display, this gallery offers an exceptional learning experience for students and educators of all ages. Stroll through the dioramas depicting the most important ecosystems on Earth and see predators and prey from distances that would be impossible in the wild. The result is a more informed and enlightened view of the natural world and the imperative to protect and preserve these marvelous creatures for future generations.