Mountain View-Area Museums to Check Out

Mountain View is known for its beautiful weather, stunning views, and pedestrian-friendly layout. The city is also home to a number of unique museums and landmarks open to the public. From your Mountain View apartment at Carmel The Village, you can easily explore some of the area’s long- and short-term history when you visit these Mountain View-area museums:

Computer History Museum

The Computer History Museum contains the single largest collection of computer technology artifacts in the world. Established in 1996, the Computer History Museum’s mission is to preserve artifacts related to the information age, while presenting the history surrounding the development of the computer from its first beginnings to modern day. As you explore the museum’s 20 exhibit galleries, you’ll learn how computing technology has evolved, beginning with the earliest abacus and ending with the most advanced modern-day technology. The museum also presents information on how society has been affected by the development of computer technology and, more recently, the internet as well. Among its impressive 90,000-piece collection are Cray-1, Cray-2, and Cray-3 supercomputers, an Apple I, and the Utah teapot. The Computer History Museum also features a Babbage Difference Engine and a recent exhibit on the development of Google Street View. In addition to its numerous exhibits and visible storage section, the Computer History Museum also sponsors Speaker Series events, educational programs, and volunteer groups.

Moffett Field & Historical Society Museum

Moffett Federal Airfield is a joint military-civilian airport that sits between Sunnyvale and Mountain View. Although the airport is considered to be in active use, it is also home to a number of historical sites and an on-site museum. Moffett’s Hangars One, Two, and Three are some of the world’s largest freestanding structures, with construction dating from the 1930s and 1940s. The Moffett Field Historical Society Museum displays a number of artifacts that “tell the stories of the various military and NASA Commands assigned to, or operating out of Moffett Field.” Exhibits highlight the USS Macon airship, the role of blimps during WWII, the NASA experimental testing programs that occurred at Moffett Field, and various aircraft and cockpits. Additionally, the museum maintains a number of programs that include the refurbishment and restoration of modern aircraft and cockpits such as the NASA TF-104G Starfighter, the NASA U-2C, and the P2V Neptune.

The Jehning Family Lock Museum

Located at 175 Castro Street, the Jehning Family Lock Museum highlights the use and development of keys, locks, and security mechanisms throughout history. Admission to the museum is free, making it a great place to stop by for even a short period of time. The museum is housed in the historic Ames Building, believed to be the second-oldest building on Castro Street. Since 1996, the Jehning Family Lock Museum has featured a growing collection of keys and locks that now contains nearly 5,000 keys and 1,000 locks from across the globe, as well as over 20 safes. Because the museum continually rotates and redesigns its exhibits, visitors can expect to see new artifacts and learn new information about the role of locks, keys, and safes throughout history during every visit.

With its central Mountain View location within easy walking distance to a wide range of entertainment, history, and more, you’ll love coming home to Carmel The Village. Our luxury apartments feature ample square footage, large balconies and terraces, stainless steel appliances, and GreenPoint Rated construction. Visit us online to find out more about leasing a studio, one-, or two-bedroom apartment with us today!