Explore Historic Monterey
The Explore Historic Monterey cell phone tours and brochure were made possible by a Preserve America grant from the National Park Service.
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Preserving History:
Ed Ricketts’ Marine Specimen Tanks, 1928-1948

In October 2010, as part of a grant awarded to the City of Monterey by the Community Foundation for Monterey County, conservators stabilized and protected the concrete specimen tanks located in back of the Pacific Biological Laboratories building. Marine biologist Ed Ricketts used the tanks to store marine specimens for his research and in preparation for shipment to schools, universities and museums. The tanks were originally built by Vicente Rodriguez, the previous owner of the Lab site, who used them for his fish salting and sardine pressing operation. Ricketts began using the tanks when he moved to the site in 1928.

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Featured News and Events

Street of Gold: A Monterey Legend: Frances Adler Elkins, 1888-1953

May 26, 2013

As part of National Museums Month, the City of Monterey will host the final “Talking History” event in the unique setting of historic Colton Hall on Sunday, May 26 at 2 p.m.

Jerry Welling will present “Street of Gold: A Monterey Legend: Frances Alder Elkins, 1888-1953”. Elkins, who was an extremely successful interior designer in the twentieth century, designed the interiors of famous historic adobes in Monterey, the Hotel Del Monte (now Naval Postgraduate School), and prominent residences on the Peninsula and elsewhere in California.  

Welling was Senior Events Coordinator for the Monterey Conference Center and a former Cultural Arts Commissioner for the City of Monterey. He is presently on the board of directors for the Old Monterey Foundation.

The Colton Hall Museum sponsors this free event upstairs in historic Colton Hall and welcomes the public.  It will begin at 2 PM and last approximately one hour.  Seating is limited; reservations are required and can be made by calling 831.646.5640. Unfortunately, the second floor of Colton Hall is not wheelchair accessible.
Tour Pacific Biological Laboratories

Tour Pacific Biological Laboratories

June 15, 2013

Free one-hour tours of the Pacific Biological Laboratories (Ed Ricketts’ Lab) at 800 Cannery Row will be held on Saturday, June 15, 2013.

Donations will be accepted to support the City of Monterey's stewardship of this renowned historic site. Lab Docents will present the history of marine biologist Ed Ricketts, his friendship and collaboration with John Steinbeck, and the "PBL Members" who bought the Lab in the mid-1950s and who were instrumental in the founding of the Monterey Jazz Festival.

In addition to the tours, there will be opportunities for visitors to purchase a copy of a special photo bookplated edition of Cannery Row and Log from the Sea of Cortez, plus copies of A Journey into Steinbeck’s California by noted Steinbeck scholar and San Jose State University professor, Dr. Susan Shillinglaw. With the purchase of a book and a minimum $ 5.00 donation, visitors will receive a tax-deductible donation receipt. Free, light refreshments will also be served.

Reservations for these popular tours are limited and may be made by contacting the Colton Hall Museum at 831.646.5640. Please provide the following three items or your reservation will not be accepted: your name, phone number and email address. The deadline for reservations is 4 p.m., Thursday, June 13. Please arrive 15 minutes prior to the scheduled tour or your reservation will be cancelled. Contact the Museum 48 hours in advance if you cannot attend the tour.
Aromas Hills Artisans – Monterey Seasons in Alvarado Gallery

Aromas Hills Artisans – Monterey Seasons in Alvarado Gallery

May 10, 2013 through July 29, 2013

The City of Monterey, Colton Hall Museum and Cultural Arts Commission and the Monterey Conference Center are pleased to announce the current Alvarado Gallery exhibit featuring the Aromas Hills Artisans – Monterey Seasons. This talented art group of over 70 members is a non-profit organization that mentors and teaches throughout the community. AHA features excellence in many mediums, including: skilled potters, painters in all mediums, stained glass professionals, woodworkers and carvers, printers, photographers, muralists, weavers, fused glass experts, jewelry makers, quilters and writers. Many are inspired by the beauty of the Monterey area. The Alvarado Gallery is located at the Monterey Conference Center, One Portola Plaza. 
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GENERAL CONTACT INFO
Museum and Cultural Arts Division
570 Pacific Street Monterey, CA 93940
Phone
831.646.5648
FAX - 831.646.3917
HOURS AND LOCATIONS
Colton Hall Museum
The Old Monterey Jail
Presidio of Monterey Museum
Alvarado Gallery
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