Chula Vista Museum and History Center

10/10/2026

There was standing room only at the official Grand Opening celebration of the new Chula Vista Museum and History Center on September 18th and 19th. Visitors had a chance to explore our inaugural exhibition covering the experience of Chula Vista’s Japanese American population during World War II, listen to special guest speakers, hear from Mayor John McCann and Councilmember Jose Preciado, enjoy good company and refreshments selected specially for the occasion and had the opportunity to win free door prizes. Guest speakers were Kay Ochi, President of the Japanese American Historical Society of San Diego and Ken Muraoka, grandson of one of Chula Vista’s earliest immigrant farmers, head of the Chula Vista-Odawara Sister City program and a member of the City's Cultural Arts Commission. Both are residents of Chula Vista. A few images are attached (photo credit to David Sommers).
A press article on the opening of the Museum: Exhibit examines Japanese influence, history in Chula Vista | The Star News https://www.thestarnews.com/exhibit-examines-japanese-influence-history-in-chula-vista/

09/13/2026

An article in the San Diego Union Tribune today about the grand opening of the Chula Vista Museum and History Center this coming Friday evening and Saturday afternoon. All are invited. Free. Sept. 13, 2026. Link: https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/2026/09/13/from-boxes-to-exhibits-the-big-ambitions-of-chula-vistas-new-museum/ City of Chula Vista Government

Chula Vista Museum and History Center, which received its nonprofit status last fall, is now ready to open its first exhibition, “The Chula Vista Japanese American Story.”

08/29/2026

Save the Date! The inaugural exhibit of the Chula Vista Museum and History Center is called ‘The Chula Vista Japanese American Story’, from the early 1900s agricultural days, to the incarceration of Japanese and Japanese American residents after the bombing of Pearl Harbor in 1941, to Chula Vista today with an active Sister City Program with Odawara, Japan, an elementary school in the Otay Ranch neighborhood named after an early Japanese American farmer/businessman, several Japanese American elected and appointed public officials, and numerous Japanese businesses. Free. Please RSVP with the date(s) attending and # of people to [email protected] with the specific date and the number of attendees. City of Chula Vista Government Chula Vista Museum and History Center

08/08/2026

One week from today (Aug. 15th): the 29th annual Lemon Festival in Downtown Chula Vista from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. The free event be held on Third Avenue between G & E Streets and will feature two stages of live music, zesty photo opps, a lemon cook-off competition, a kids zone for the Lil’ Lemons, delicious food options, arts and crafts vendors and a w**e and b**r garden. The Chula Vista Museum and History Center will have a booth located on Third Ave. between F & Davidson Streets, so please come by & say hi. Posted Aug. 8, 2026. City of Chula Vista Government

07/10/2026

A reminder about the FREE summer picnic at the Chula Vista Museum and History Center this Sunday, July 12 from 1-3 p.m. Please RSVP (info below; click on the image). See you there!

06/29/2026

This afternoon at the Chula Vista Museum and History Center a free puppet workshop was held featuring a step by step guide to making sock puppets. The event was a partnership between and the Museum (https://www.cv-museum.com/). Workshop participants could then keep their puppets. A free tour of the Museum followed. June 28, 2026. City of Chula Vista Government

06/28/2026

Happening today. Noon-3 p.m. Free.

06/19/2026

The Chula Vista Museum and History Center will be closed this Sunday, June 21, in celebration of Father's Day.

06/10/2026

Puppet event on Sunday, June 28 at noon at the Chula Vista Museum and History Center, 261 Garrett Ave. in Chula Vista (very close to the Civic Center Library and the adjoining Friendship Park). Please RSVP with City of Chula Vista Government

06/09/2026

Board Members and Friends,

We are making enormous progress on creating a space near downtown Chula Vista that honors our city’s distinctive culture and history. We hope you will be able to make it to our next general meeting, where we will bring you up to date on that progress, and discuss our next steps forward.

The meeting is set for Sunday June 14 at 1 pm at the Museum, 261 Garrett Ave. A more detailed agenda will be distributed at the meeting. All are welcome.

Patricia Aguilar
President, Chula Vista Museum and History Center

Save the Date: The 29th Annual Lemon Festival
Saturday, August 15, 2026 from 11:00am to 6:00pm
Website:

Lemon Festival | Events | Downtown Chula Vista