Junípero Serra Museum

This new core exhibition explores the earliest history of San Diego—the stories of the people that lived along the river’s edge since time immemorial—as well as those that came to settle the area and changed and used the river in order to adapt to San Diego’s arid climate.

The new exhibit also focuses on the Presidio as the site of San Diego’s and California’s original European settlement, one that was an active military garrison from 1769 to 1835. The Presidio and its church complex housed soldiers, their families, craftsmen, Indian workers, prisoners, and others who settled in San Diego prior to the establishment of the Pueblo San Diego (now Old Town) at the foot of Presidio Hill. Historical accounts combined with archaeological data tell of the presence of diverse people from many different social and ethnic backgrounds, surviving in an often harsh environment. Visitors will also be able to step back in time to view the Presidio and the Kumeyaay settlement of Kosaii.

This renovation, eight years in the making, preserves and restores the original architectural splendor of the interior spaces of the museum, and provides visitors with breathtaking views from the Serra’s iconic tower.

This exhibition would not be possible with the support of our presenting partners – the San Diego River Conservancy and State Coastal Conservancy. The San Diego History Center is also indebted to our group of grant matching donors as well the Kumeyaay Diegueño Land Conservancy, and a group of dedicated advisors and subject matter experts who are, with this writing, working to complete this new exhibition.