La Mesa, California is often noted for its beautiful weather,
stunning scenery, and abundance of outdoor attractions. However, it’s also a
great place to learn more about history, art, and culture. Here are the top
museums located in and near La Mesa where you can see impressive artifacts from
around the world or discover fascinating facts about the city’s own history.
La Mesa Historical Society
Want to learn more about the history of La Mesa? Be sure to visit
the La Mesa Historical Society. This group helps to collect and preserve
important documents to help educate community members and visitors about La
Mesa’s past. The historical society has three fascinating options for learning
about the city’s unique and interesting history:
the La Mesa Historical Society. This group helps to collect and preserve
important documents to help educate community members and visitors about La
Mesa’s past. The historical society has three fascinating options for learning
about the city’s unique and interesting history:
- McKinney House Museum:
Tour this period-finished home to see what life was like for La Mesa
residents in the early 20th century. - Historical Society Archives: Visit the Palermo Building Research Reading Room to see the
society’s impressive archival collection with documents, newspapers,
photographs, artifacts, and video and oral history records focused on the
history of La Mesa. - Annual Historic Home Tour: Sign up for this yearly event, and you’ll receive transportation
via Old Town Trolley Buses to see some of the city’s historic homes which
have been beautifully restored.
The La Mesa Depot Museum is conveniently located right in the
heart of downtown near many of the top-rated hotels in La Mesa. It’s actually the city’s oldest building
in its original form and the only San Diego and Cuyamaca Railway Station still
in existence. This stop on the Southern Pacific Railroad was constructed in
1894.
heart of downtown near many of the top-rated hotels in La Mesa. It’s actually the city’s oldest building
in its original form and the only San Diego and Cuyamaca Railway Station still
in existence. This stop on the Southern Pacific Railroad was constructed in
1894.
Though the stop has been out of service for decades, the original
building has been carefully restored. Visiting this museum is like taking a
step back in time. Pass through a ticketing and waiting area before exploring
the telegrapher’s station and the baggage room. View a steam locomotive and a
string of freight cars on the nearby tracks. Be sure to check out the exhibit
inside to learn even more about the station’s history.
building has been carefully restored. Visiting this museum is like taking a
step back in time. Pass through a ticketing and waiting area before exploring
the telegrapher’s station and the baggage room. View a steam locomotive and a
string of freight cars on the nearby tracks. Be sure to check out the exhibit
inside to learn even more about the station’s history.
Heritage of the Americas Museum
Located just outside La Mesa in El Cajon, the Heritage of the Americas Museum features the prehistoric and historic art
and culture of the Americas and the natural history of the world. The Natural
Wing contains a vast collection of meteorites, minerals, gems, and fossils from
around the globe, while the Archeology Wing focuses on pre-Columbian artifacts
from the Americas.
and culture of the Americas and the natural history of the world. The Natural
Wing contains a vast collection of meteorites, minerals, gems, and fossils from
around the globe, while the Archeology Wing focuses on pre-Columbian artifacts
from the Americas.
There is also the Anthropology Wing which is filled with artifacts
from the last two centuries after the arrival of the Europeans. Finally, don’t
miss the opportunity to fully explore the museum’s Art Wing, which features a
vast collection of Western art along with a unique collection of Chinese
artifacts, including a 2,000-year-old jade burial suit from the Han Dynasty.
from the last two centuries after the arrival of the Europeans. Finally, don’t
miss the opportunity to fully explore the museum’s Art Wing, which features a
vast collection of Western art along with a unique collection of Chinese
artifacts, including a 2,000-year-old jade burial suit from the Han Dynasty.
Make your visit to La Mesa more enriching by visiting some of
these local museums. With attractions that will interest kids and adults alike,
any group can enjoy a fun and fascinating outing at these museums.
these local museums. With attractions that will interest kids and adults alike,
any group can enjoy a fun and fascinating outing at these museums.
