City of Monterey Museums and Cultural Arts

City of Monterey Museums and Cultural Arts We share Monterey's stories, serving as a place of learning, inspiration and engagement with our history and heritage.

We are deeply sadden by the devastating fires in Maui. Last month, I had the privilege of visiting the historic Front St...
08/10/2023

We are deeply sadden by the devastating fires in Maui. Last month, I had the privilege of visiting the historic Front Street in Lahaina. While walking around I discovered the Old Lahaina Courthouse (OLC) museum.

I couldn’t help but notice the many similarities between the OLC and Monterey, specifically with Colton Hall and the Customs House. The OLC was not only Maui’s customs house and courthouse, it was where Hawaii’s first constitution was written and signed in 1840. That’s nine years before the California Constitution Convention of 1849.

Sadly, the OLC was completely destroyed in the fires. Nothing remains buts its walls. Just outside of the OLC is is one of the worlds largest Banyan trees. This 150 year old tree is still standing.

Our hearts ache for those affected by these destructive fires. You are in our thoughts as we all mourn these devastating losses. We are ohana.

Are you ready for Monterey Car Week? More importantly, are you ready for the free Saturday tours of the Pacific Biologic...
08/10/2023

Are you ready for Monterey Car Week? More importantly, are you ready for the free Saturday tours of the Pacific Biological Laboratories!?!

There are still a few spots available for our 9am tour this Saturday, August 12th. Sign up through the link in our bio now before it fills up. Our 10:30am tour is completely full, but fret not, we have our Open Hours from 12pm-4pm!

Parking is limited on Cannery Row. Due to Car Week, expect more traffic than usual. Use the City's interactive map to identify nearby parking, or ride the free Trolley Shuttle. If driving, please allow plenty of time to park.

The Lab is located at 800 Cannery Row between David Avenue and Prescott Avenue, and admission is free.

Remember Car Week fans, come for the cars, stay for the history! Drive safe everyone!

Due to a docents shortage, the Presidio of Monterey Museum will be closed from 10am-1pm Sunday, August 6. The museum wil...
08/06/2023

Due to a docents shortage, the Presidio of Monterey Museum will be closed from 10am-1pm Sunday, August 6. The museum will open from 1pm-4pm. We apologize for any inconvenience.

Thank you for sharing Monterey’s amazing vexology history! Did you know there have been so many flags that have flown o...
07/27/2023

Thank you for sharing Monterey’s amazing vexology history!

Did you know there have been so many flags that have flown over Monterey and California? To learn more about this amazing history, please visit our Presidio of Monterey Museum and speak with our knowledgeable docents!

Be sure to check out the article through the link in our bio.

Today we decorated Colton Hall for its 174th, 4th of July! Have you ever wondered why some historic buildings have simpl...
07/01/2023

Today we decorated Colton Hall for its 174th, 4th of July!

Have you ever wondered why some historic buildings have simple holiday decorations? That’s because we try to keep them as historically accurate as possible.

When we decorate Colton Hall for the 4th of July and Monterey State Historic Park Associations Christmas in the Adobes, we decorate Colton Hall how they would have decorated it in 1849 when it was built.

As caretakers of such a historic building, we take pride in keeping it as historically accurate as possible. The simple decorations you see today would be have been quit lavish 174 years ago, and you know what? We wouldn’t have it any other way. We hope you have a wonderful and safe 4th of July!

The 4th of July is just around the corner. We are happy to announce that the Colton Hall Museum and the Presidio of Mont...
06/30/2023

The 4th of July is just around the corner. We are happy to announce that the Colton Hall Museum and the Presidio of Monterey Museum will be open on the 4th of July!

While at Colton Hall, come check out the United States’ Declaration of Independence translated into Spanish. The Americans living in Monterey on July 4, 1850 decided to share their Independence Day with the Mexican residents of the city. A common American practice in the nineteenth century was to read the Declaration of Independence in its entirety at a public gathering. The majority of the people living in Monterey during this time were Spanish speaking; therefore, it was necessary to translate the document from English to Spanish. Lieutenant John Hamilton had the document translated and read the Declaration in Spanish at Colton Hall for the first Fourth of July celebration held in Monterey.

Don’t forget to check out the new Buffalo Soldiers exhibit at the Presidio of Monterey Museum. Learn about the hard work and sacrifice these brave men made for their country while enduring racism and segregation. Come and check out the only known photographs of Monterey’s Buffalo Soldiers here at the museum.

Both museums will be open from 10am-4pm, admission is free, and our Museum Attendants and Docents will be on hand for free tours. We hope to see you there!

We would like to thank and for covering our new Buffalo Soldiers exhibit! We are truly grateful for their help in prom...
06/16/2023

We would like to thank and for covering our new Buffalo Soldiers exhibit! We are truly grateful for their help in promoting the valor and forgotten history of the Monterey Buffalo Soldiers.

Be sure to join us on Saturday, June 17th at the Presidio of Monterey Museum (POMM) to see rare and unseen photos of the Monterey Buffaloes Soldiers! The POMM will be open June 17th from 10am-4pm and as always, admission is free. Our fantastic Museum Docents will be on hand to answer any Buffalo Soldiers questions you may have.

We will also be hosting a small reception from 12pm-1pm at the POMM. Light refreshments and snacks will be available while we celebrate this amazing history.

Additionally, the POMM will also be open from 10am-4pm on Sunday the 18th, and Monday the 19th for Juneteenth.

The POMM is located within the Lower Presidio Historic Park at 76th Artillery Street & Corporal Ewing Road, Bldg. 113 Monterey, CA 93944. The park is open to the public and no I.D. is necessary to access it.

We can’t wait to see you!

The City of Monterey’s, Museums & Cultural Arts Division is proud to announce the grand opening of Extraordinary Valor: ...
06/09/2023

The City of Monterey’s, Museums & Cultural Arts Division is proud to announce the grand opening of Extraordinary Valor: The Lost History of The Buffalo Soldiers in Monterey! After three and a half years of researching and planning, this new exhibit will highlight the forgotten history of Monterey’s Buffalo Soldiers.

From 1902-1904, the brave men of the 9th Cavalry trained new recruits, broke in new horses, competed in sports, and patrolled Yosemite National Park while segregated at their Pacific Grove encampment.

Join us on Saturday, June 17th at the Presidio of Monterey Museum (POMM) and learn about the amazing accomplishments and sacrifices these men made for their country. The POMM will be open June 17th from 10am-4pm and as always, admission is free. Artifacts Specialist, Jordan Leininger will be on hand from 10am-1pm to answer any Buffalo Soldiers questions you may have.

We will also be hosting a small reception from 12pm-1pm at the POMM. Light refreshments and snacks will be available while we celebrate this amazing history.

Additionally, the POMM will also be open from 10am-4pm on Sunday the 18th, and Monday the 19th for Juneteenth.

The POMM is located within the Lower Presidio Historic Park at 76th Artillery Street & Corporal Ewing Road, Bldg. 113 Monterey, CA 93944. The park is open to the public and no I.D. is necessary to access it.

We hope to see you there!

As you may know, this Saturday, June 10th are our free Saturday tours of the Pacific Biological Laboratories. Due to our...
06/07/2023

As you may know, this Saturday, June 10th are our free Saturday tours of the Pacific Biological Laboratories. Due to our Docent shortage, we will will be canceling our Open Hours of the Lab from 12pm-4pm for June’s free tour.

Our 9am and 10:30am tours will proceed as scheduled.

There are still some seats available for our 9am tour! To sign up, please visit the link in our bio.

If you are interested in becoming a Docent to help keep our museums free and open to the public, please contact Jordan Leininger by

phone - 831-646-1569
email - [email protected]
Direct Messaging this account

Thank you for your patience and understanding!

Today we are getting Col. Stanley Fitch’s sword ready for tomorrow’s La Merienda.On June 3rd, 1770, Father Serra and Cap...
06/02/2023

Today we are getting Col. Stanley Fitch’s sword ready for tomorrow’s La Merienda.

On June 3rd, 1770, Father Serra and Captain Portola settled Monterey. Over the last 90 years, the MHAA hosts Monterey’s La Merienda to celebrate Montereys founding. This year marks Monterey’s 253 birthday!

Col. Fitch was a founding member of the MHAA and was its president for 15 years. At the first La Merienda, Col. Fitch’s wife used his sword to cut the cake. Today, that tradition still continues!

Although this years La Merienda is sold out, stop by the Presidio of Monterey Museum to learn more about this sword, the event, and Monterey’s military history!

Happy Birthday Monterey!

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Monterey, CA
93940

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+18316465648

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