One of the South Bay's easiest museum visits costs nothing. The de Saisset Museum at Santa Clara University opened in 1955. It sits in front of Mission Santa Clara de Asís, and admission is free.

A family's bequest

The museum exists because Isabel de Saisset, the last member of a California pioneer family, left her estate to the university, according to Wikipedia. Her father, Pedro de Saisset, came from Paris around the time of the Gold Rush. He served as a consular representative in San Jose and founded the Brush Electric Light company there. Her brother Ernest studied at Santa Clara College and then trained as a painter in Paris. His work is part of the collection today.

What's inside

Wikipedia says the museum owns nearly 10,000 art pieces and historical artifacts, including a large collection of California mission artifacts. The 19,210-square-foot Mission-style building has three levels. Visiting exhibitions are on the ground floor, the permanent collection is upstairs, and historical artifacts and European prints are in the basement. The family crest hangs above the foyer door.

The university's museum page says it also collects contemporary work. That includes pieces chosen by SCU students through class acquisition projects, along with work by artists such as Mercedes Dorame and Bryan Ida.

Hours

  • Tuesday to Friday: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
  • Saturday and Sunday: noon to 4 p.m.
  • Monday: closed

Check the museum's site for upcoming programs before you go.