The museum is a department of the Rosicrucian Order, AMORC, a worldwide philosophical and educational organization.
The facility was founded by Harvey Spencer Lewis, who began collecting Egyptian artifacts in the early 20th century.
The replica tomb design is based on the subterranean levels of tombs found at Beni Hasan.
The museum holds a specialized collection of pre-dynastic artifacts dating back to 4500 BCE.
The Rosicrucian Park surrounding the museum contains a planetarium, which is the oldest in Northern California.
Several artifacts in the collection are on long-term loan from other major international museums.
The museum conducts ongoing research on its mummies, utilizing modern CT scan technology to reveal internal details without unwrapping.
The site features a specific building modeled after the Temple of Dendur's gateway.
The Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum houses the largest collection of ancient Egyptian artifacts in Western North America. It is located on the campus of the Rosicrucian Order, AMORC, in San Jose's Rose Garden neighborhood. The museum features a full-scale replica of an authentic ancient Egyptian rock-cut tomb that visitors can walk through. Its architectural style is inspired by the temples of Ancient Egypt, specifically the Temple of Amun at Karnak. The collection contains over 4,000 artifacts, including human mummies and several animal mummies. The museum grounds include a meticulously maintained Peace Garden, reflecting Egyptian landscape design principles. It provides educational resources on afterlife beliefs, daily life, and historical Egyptian dynasties. The exhibits are arranged chronologically and thematically to contextualize the historical significance of the pieces.
The main entrance featuring the large statues of Ramses II and the colorful lotus-inspired columns.
Walk through the underground tomb replica slowly to notice the hieroglyphic inscriptions on the walls.
Spend time exploring the Peace Garden after touring the exhibits to see the native and Egyptian-inspired plant life.
Check the museum's calendar for guided tours that explain the process of mummification and Egyptian afterlife beliefs.
Do not overlook the smaller artifacts in the display cases in favor of only viewing the larger statues, as the smaller items provide significant context to daily life.
Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.
Photography is permitted without flash; maintain a quiet tone in the tomb replica and near mummified remains.
