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Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum and Planetarium
Located in the Rosicrucian Park in San Jose, California, is the renowned Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum and Planetarium. Founded by Ancient and Mystical Order Rosae Crucis (AMORC), this museum houses the largest collection of ancient Egyptian artifacts in the western hemisphere.
History of the origin of this museum dates back to 1921 when Dr. Harvey Spencer Lewis, who was the founder of AMORC, extended financial contribution to the Egypt Explorations Society of Boston to conduct archaeological excavations at Tel el Amana, an ancient Egyptian city. Most of the contribution was through donations from AMORC members. A large number of existing artifacts in the museum are a result of the favor returned by the Egypt Explorations Society of Boston, which donated several Egyptian antiques to AMORC. Even the members of AMORC including Dr. Lewis were collectors of several mystical items belonging to the ancient Egyptian civilization that were later donated to the Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum and Planetarium.
The Rosicrucian Egyptian Oriental Museum was formed during 1928 in the administrative buildings of AMORC, where these artifacts were displayed to the public for the first time. The volume of these collections gradually increased to 2000 in the coming years. However, the museum did not have a permanent building till November 1966.
Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum and Planetarium holds the unique distinction of being the only museum whose construction is based on ancient Egyptian style of architecture. The most interesting program of the museum has been the traveling exhibition called “Women of Nile” that started in 1999 and extended till 2001. During this time, the exhibition traveled across several parts of America and Canada displaying artifacts of ancient Egyptian queens. Some of most prominent antiquities present at the museum include a stone figure of Cleopatra VII and an ancient mummy of an Egyptian child.
The museum has galleries where theme-based exhibits are displayed. These include Afterlife and Rock Cut Tomb, Daily Life and Other Cultures, Kingship and Palace, Rotating Exhibits and Temple and Akenaten’s Amarna Period. Located on the entrance of the museum is Taweret, ancient Egyptian hippopotamus-like goddesses of pregnant women and child birth.
Situated adjacent to the museum, is a planetarium that was the fifth one opened in the United States. Constructed by H. Spencer Lewis, this Planetarium was the first one with a Star Projector.
- Address: 1342 Naglee Avenue, San Jose, CA 95191
- Telephone: (408) 554-4023
- Hours: Mon - Fri 10 AM - 5 PM, Sat - Sun 11 AM - 6 PM
- Website: www.egyptianmuseum.org
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