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Ruddy's General Store Museum

4.6 (39 reviews)
Closed Closed
Updated 3 weeks ago

Ruddy's General Store Museum Photos

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Vin S.

Cool little museum definitely worth an hour or so on a hot summer day! We dropped by Ruddy's 1930s General Store Museum well exploring downtown Palm Springs during the recent Yelp PS getaway event. I am old enough to recognize a lot of the items in here, including some that are still in production. The interesting thing to me is that nothing was plastic. of course, that's because plastic was not invented and in common use in the 1930s. I highly recommend this quaint establishment for a trip down memory lane. the lovely air conditioning alone was worth the dollar price of admission!

Medicines
Jeannie D.

Very cool for anyone interested in history! This is a magnificent collection of goods. There are many old medicinal remedies still in the original glass with such well preserved labels! It's really impressive. They have pickles that are 80 years old! From mascara to greeting cards, clothing to medicine this little museum has so much inside. It's definitely worth checking out!! The woman at the door was really sweet & had great information to offer us. Make sure to check days/hours of operation.

Rami H.

I heard about this general store museum from a friend and the fact they have items from 1800 in their original packaging. I tried to visit it, but it's closed the day we were there.

Stylishshopper ..

Rudy's was closed when we stumbled upon it "Thank you Covid-19!" but we peeked through the windows and what a historical little treasure! Beautifully curated as well, very cool.

Front entrance.
Lianne K.

Such an outstanding collection of made in Amerca items. From housewares, to food items (still in unopened packages), drugs and makeup, cleaning supplies, pipes & tobacco, beverages, candy, greeting cards, hats, clothing, and so much more! Admission is 95 cents for adults. Such a bargain! The building was built to house this collection. It never had been a store. All of the items are for display; none are for sale. A docent told us about the collection and history of its assemblage. She was very friendly and knowledgeable. My brother got the kids involved in an I Spy kind of challenge -- to find items that are still being made today. That made it more engaging for them and helped focus in on the massive quantity of stuff down to a more narrow sampling. The museum sits back from Palm Canyon Drive in a huddle with other mini-museums, which is actually a great idea. There was no air conditioning on a warm afternoon, which would also reflect the reality of what it would have been like back in the days before A/C. This is a fun way to see how our ancestors might have shopped in their time. Great treasure!

Candy!
Ralph B.

Awesome time capsule of 1930s (and earlier) general store stuff. Ask the lady and she can show you some items up close.

Bernadette Z.

Stumbled upon this hidden gem while exploring downtown. Fascinating to see this extensive collection of 100+ year old antique items in pristine condition! All items were original, dating back to the Great Depression and World War II--everything from pharmacy, grocery to clothing and toys. This collection is a must-see in Downtown Palm Springs! Well worth the small donation to support this small establishment. Come and help keep this piece of American History open!!

Gabby K.

A total gem! We came to Palm Springs for our honeymoon & when doing some research into local museums this one stood out as a must see. A $1 to enter and step back into the 1920s is well worth every penny. The collector who established this collection and museum has kept it in amazing condition. There is a lovely woman (whose name escapes me) who was so knowledgeable and sweet. If you're in Palm Springs and are into vintage items it's a must see.

Threads, sewing goods
Kim P.

We had a truly memorable time looking through Ruddy's General Store Museum. It was fun and educational to see the goods that people used in their daily lives in the 1930s. Many of the brands of items are still on store shelves today. When we entered the store, we were greeted by Sally who told us about the history of the store, and answered any questions that we had about the over 6000 items. We were even able to share the visual experience live with my mother and father (who live in Montana) using Facebook Messenger! It was a great "trip down memory lane" for them, and brought all of us great pleasure. It is a day that we will remember for a long time. Thank you Mr. Ruddy for putting together the excellent collection, and Sally for welcoming us, and sharing with us.

So many antique memorabilia to see & appreciate!

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Cute little museum in Palm Springs, it's $1 per person quiet small but they do have a nice collection going on.

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A fun little place to drop in to and the lovely young woman at the desk was so friendly and helpful!

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Ask the Community - Ruddy's General Store Museum

Is Ruddy's closed (May 2022)?

We just opened for the season after being closed for four years, since 2020.

Hi is this place still closed?

Nope! We just opened for the season after being closed for four years, since 2020.

Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

Review Highlights - Ruddy's General Store Museum

This lovely authentic little gem is run by Sally, a friend of the late collector and retired museum director.

Mentioned in 5 reviews

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