History that’s living in the moment

Stunning monarchs. Endless birdlife. Vivid wildflowers. Rockstar geology. Wow-worthy whales. 

Pacific Grove’s landmark museum opened in 1883, the same year as the Brooklyn Bridge. While it holds the position of one of the oldest natural history museums in the United States, its collection’s deep diversity of the Central Coast’s flora, fauna, and historical artifacts and stories, it’s pioneering scientific work, and it’s interactivity with the community make it as current as ever.

Impact Report 2023

View our latest Impact Report HERE.


We’re proud to be a Blue Star Museum in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts. As such, active service members and their families get free admission every year between Memorial Day and Labor Day. Learn more about this special program by clicking their logo.