Autry

Autry is a surname and a proper noun associated with people and institutions in the United States. The best-known bearer is Gene Autry (1907–1998), an American singer, actor, and businessman who helped popularize the singing cowboy in Western film and music. Beyond his entertainment career, Autry supported cultural initiatives in Los Angeles, and his name has become linked with cultural institutions dedicated to Western history.

The Autry Museum of the American West is a nonprofit cultural institution in Los Angeles, California. It focuses on the history, art, and cultures of the American West, including Native American, Hispanic, and settler communities. The museum maintains galleries, archives, and education programs, and it hosts temporary and special exhibitions to interpret the region’s diverse heritage.

The Autry National Center was the umbrella organization that housed the museum and other Western-history collections. In contemporary usage, the institution operates primarily under the name Autry Museum of the American West, reflecting its mission and geographic focus. The Autry name continues to be associated with efforts to preserve, interpret, and present the history and culture of the American West for broad audiences.