guy b woodward museum

We just returned from a delightful and informative visit to this local museum. It was beyond our expectations. The history of the area is portrayed in an inviting way and has something to interest all age groups. Our guide, Myra, gave us a personal tour filled with interesting stories and the rich history of the area. Clearly, people in Ramona care to learn about their history. One of the very interesting aspects of this a is library of books called Voices of Pioneer Women. I wish we lived close enough to borrow some of these books. This is a treasure that I highly recommend to anyone in the area. It is also very reasonably priced at $5 for adults and $1 for children.

We never did get in due to the very restrictive "open" hours during our weeks' visit - Thursday and Friday from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Outwardly it appeared average; hence the "average" rating, but we would have liked to explore a bit.

a bit quirky, but really interesting! When you arrive you have to use the phone on the gate to gain entrance, and the docent (?) takes you through the museum.....a bit odd, but she did have a great deal of info to pass on, so it was ok. There is a great deal of Ramona history packed in to the house and surrounding buildings. Found it all pretty interesting. There was a minor entrance fee, can't remember how much now, but it was worth it.

The building style is unique for this area with wide porches to the sunny exposure to keep the adobe walls shaded and with a basement. A collection of farm implements and tools and medical instruments will stimulate one's curiosity. The one room school might be familiar to some visitors and the steel box jail will be recognized by the outlaws. It's not expensive and it's a great way to spend a free hour or two or more. There are audio stations for self guided groups and docents are usually nearby.

Small local museum with a lot of history about the whole value. Delightful museum guide, she had first hand information regarding the actual family who collected many of the pieces at the museum. a must do for the family.

My daughter and I spent part of a chilly afternoon exploring this wonderful little gem of a museum in the middle of downtown Ramona. We were greeted by the 'watch cat', who then accompanied us around the outdoor part of the museum. We checked out the old apiary house, the telegraph room, a wonderful old 'mobile home' (one of the first invented), all kinds of local equipment hanging on the walls and littering the floor in the back of the star attraction- the Woodward House. The equipment runs the gamut of the historical times- from mining materials to old telegraph interchanges, fire fighting equipment, plumbing tools, wrenches, and old lanterns hang from the rafters. The only wish we both had was that the material was better marked- very little had explanation or information on it. There was a docent on the property, and we then were given a whirl-wind tour of the wonderful buildings on site. There are a bunkhouse, a tack house, a jail- just a one cell-, a millinery shop, a one room school house, and the big house. All of the places are actual buildings reconstructed back on these premises as they were when they were brought in- it's like going into a time warp! The docent also took us down into the basement of the main house. It is crammed with all kinds of film equipment, sports memorabilia, and some of the children's games and playthings from turn of the century. The main house is one of a very few French Colonial houses still left standing in the west- and furnished with all the items you would find in the time frame of the house. It has been carefully kept up and in places restored to the period. We did not have nearly enough time to see and explore everything that this little jewel of a museum had to offer. We will definitely be going back to enjoy more of the local history, plus the wonderful stories that the docent could tell us! Note that the museum is only open certain times and days, so do check first before making the trip- it is definitely worth the effort if you enjoy history, and have an interest in the gold rush times!

This little local museum is a real gem. Don't miss it on your drive through town. All the docents are well versed in the history of the museum and the history of the town. You won't be sorry!!!

This museum is a patchwork quilt of the old west. It is filled with memories and artifacts from friends and families of the first settlers of Ramona. Definitely a do-not-miss in Ramona. Thanks to our docent, Ted, we got a true sense of how hard a life it was in the early years, but also, how wonderful, Limited open times for the museum - call ahead 1-760-789-7644.

Although we had some family history here that made it even more relevant, I'd recommend getting a personal tour, as most of the enjoyable parts were spending time with the curator as he walked us through each exhibit, telling stories about the people and items that shaped some the history of Ramona and the old west. I don't know of any other museum where you can get as up close and personal to so many interesting artifacts and historical pieces. You can also apply for membership to the historical society to help preserve the lasting legacy of the prior generations.

Stopped by with my husband and son. The admission is a bargain. Only $4 for adults and $1 for children. The inside is furnished In antiques. The 19th century doctors office in the house was really interesting with antique implements. Be sure to look for the turkey feather cape that was worn by the Turkey Queen back when Ramona was the Turkey capital of the world. Also we loved the old steel jail out in the back. There are several good restaurants within walking distance, La Cocina and Ramona Cafe (featured on Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives).