The Ann & Gabriel Barbier-Mueller Museum: The Samurai Collection - Dallas, Texas

pivolopez

What a spectacular little collection! There is NO CHARGE to see this beauty!

First things first - go INTO the red brick restaurant, and right behind the main desk is a staircase that leads to the museum.

Everything is so well displayed and maintained. There is plenty of signage to fully explain whatever you are looking at, and it's a nice intimate setting.

You do need to make reservations ahead of time as they only let small amounts of people in to keep it all accessible.

Highly recommended!

Carol K.

I liked the museum. It was a great experience, and I also really liked learning about the history of samuri. And how they came about. The tickets are free. The museum is inside of Saint ann

Elizabeth W.

This exhibit is amazing! The pieces they've collected are one of a kind and in excellent condition. The information about each piece is in depth and its a really beautiful space. The attendants were kind and professional. The library/study is a nice way to end the exhibit. You can do origami, view additional artifacts, or just sit and read some of the hundreds of books.

sierra K.

Japanese art is underrepresented in the United States and this excellent museum on Samurai armor is helping to change that. Anyone who doesn’t think armor can be art will have their minds changed by this well thought out and beautifully designed museum. The museum is small, but you could still easily spend an hour here; they have videos on how they make the iron and steel for the pieces and a lot of explanatory plaques to let you know what you’re looking at. Most of the pieces are just gorgeous. The end of the museum is a nice library room with books related to the collection to peruse, and a video on the ancient Japanese castle building technique being used today in Dallas.
I left the museum with a new respect for the armor of the samurai. I highly recommend going.

Kelly L.

The location is so awkward and terrible lol. You actually have to go into the restaurant and then go up some stairs to get to this place (I attached some videos) also I felt there was barely any ac going (in Texas!)

The display is really cool and interesting if you're into samurai stuff. Very nice that it is for free. It's a small place and you will probably be in and out in under an hour unless you want to read every card and ponder then it will take a bit longer.

Stravager S.

Super cool museum! The detail and descriptions given for all the pieces really help you understand the craftsmanship and the art that went into the armor. They also had a short film showing the process of making the iron from iron sand in a furnace.

It's on the second floor of the red brick St. Ann’s School Building (above Saint Ann Restaurant & Bar) so you have to go inside the restaurant and then the staircase is in front of the bar area. We got a little turned around and went into the building across from it which had more horse and rider displays and the security guard directed us to the right place. When done at the museum I do recommend going to the glass building beside it to check out those displays. There is also another building past the Rolex and Magnolia buildings that has more horses but we didn't go see those.

Lauren F.

I love this gem! If you happen to visit the Harwood District, this is a must visit. Admission is free, but you’ll need to reserve a ticket in advance. I recommend going early to get a more private experience. Spend some time in the library to learn more about samurai culture and the making of the museum.

Zeromus J.

Place is a hidden gem. It has a good collection of many feudal Japan armors, items and material. I did not expect to find this great spot in Dallas. 10/10, for me 😀