Museum of Monterey facts for kids
Monterey History and Art at Stanton Center
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| Established | 1971 |
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| Location | 5 Custom House Plaza Monterey, California, US |
| Type | History museum |
The Museum of Monterey is also known as the Monterey History and Art at Stanton Center. This museum shares the story of Monterey and its nearby areas. It focuses on how the region is connected to the ocean.
The museum is free to visit and holds thousands of interesting items. You can see exhibits about the 1935 USS Macon airship accident near Point Sur. There are also displays about the Ohlone and Rumsien Native American tribes who lived there long ago. Other exhibits cover the Spanish explorers who first sailed along the California coast. You can also learn about Monterey's important sardine fishing industry. The Monterey History and Art Association runs the museum.
Contents
Discovering Monterey's Past
The Museum of Monterey helps visitors understand the rich history of the area. It shows how people lived, worked, and interacted with the sea. The museum's collections bring these stories to life.
Exhibits to Explore
The museum has many permanent exhibits. These displays are always there for you to see. They cover different parts of Monterey's history.
The USS Macon Airship
One exhibit tells the story of the USS Macon. This was a huge airship, like a giant blimp, used by the U.S. Navy. In 1935, the Macon crashed into the Pacific Ocean off Point Sur. The museum shares details about this event.
Native American Life
You can learn about the first people who lived in the Monterey area. These were the Ohlone and Rumsien tribes. Their exhibits show how they lived, hunted, and used the land and sea.
Spanish Explorers
Another part of the museum explores the time when Spain first came to California. Spanish explorers sailed along the coast many years ago. They were some of the first Europeans to see this beautiful area.
The Sardine Industry
Monterey was once famous for its sardine fishing. This industry was very important to the town's economy. The museum shows how sardines were caught and processed. It explains how this business shaped Monterey.
History of the Museum
The idea for a maritime museum in Monterey started a long time ago. It has grown and changed over the years.
Early Beginnings
The first Maritime Museum opened in 1971. It was called the Allen Knight Maritime Museum. This early museum was located in the basement of the Monterey Museum of Art. It mainly displayed items collected by Allen Knight. He was a sailor for a short time in 1916. Throughout his life, he gathered many artifacts related to ships and the sea.
Building the New Museum
Plans for a new, bigger maritime museum were approved in 1982. However, it took many years to get enough money for the project. Funding was finally secured in 1991. Construction on the current Maritime and History Museum began on July 15, 1991. The new museum officially opened its doors on October 31, 1992. It is located in Custom House Plaza.
The Allen Knight Collection Today
In 2016, the San Francisco Maritime National Park Association took over the Allen Knight collection. This means his valuable items are now cared for by another important maritime organization.
See also
