Public Programs

Every year, Monterey History & Art Association presents lecture series, symposia and special events to which the general public is warmly welcomed. In recent years, they have featured such eminent historians as Dr. Michael Mathes, author of Sebastián Vizcaíno and Spanish Expansion in the Pacific Ocean, 1580-1630, Robert Senkewicz and Rose Marie Beebe (pictured), professors at Santa Barbara University, and Linda Yamane, a descendent of the original inhabitants; the Rumsien Indian tribe. For the new exhibit, Our Monterey: Prints and Paintings by August Gay and Friends, 1920-1940, guest curator Julianne Burton-Carvajal will host two lectures, Saturday, November 12 and Saturday, December 10 from 3-4 pm.  Click here to learn more about our events.
 

Fishing for History: A Cannery Row Tour Suitable for ages 10 to adult Dates: Saturdays Time: 1-3pm Duration: 2 hours Cost: $20 per person general public ($16 per person for Aquarium and Monterey History and Art Association members) Reservations or information: 866-963-9646 (toll free) Join us on a journey from the time of Monterey's native people through the days of the "Sardine Capital of the World." This guided 1.5-mile walking tour starts with the historic Hovden Cannery exhibits at the Monterey Bay Aquarium. Then, as you walk along Cannery Row and the waterfront, you'll learn about the workers in the canneries during the heyday of the Row and see the lab where Ed Ricketts, the inspiration for "Doc" in John Steinbeck's novels, worked and wrote “Between Pacific Tides.” Hear the story of the people who contributed to Cannery Row, from the native Ohlone and Esselen tribes, to the Chinese who established fishing villages, and the Portuguese and Italian fishing families, as you make your way to Fisherman's Wharf and the Maritime Museum of Monterey. The tour is co-sponsored by the Monterey Bay Aquarium.

Along the Waterfront A bicycle tour exploring the history of our waterfront heritage. Dates: First Sunday of every month Times: 1pm Duration: 2 hours Cost: $10.00 per person (bikes can be rented for $12.00 at Adventures by the Sea, close to the Maritime Museum in Alvarado Place) Reservations or information: 831-372-2608 Monterey’s Recreation Trail is an essential part of this easy-cycling tour starting at the Maritime Museum, because it was originally the right-of-way for the Southern Pacific railroad to Pacific Grove, built by Chinese laborers in 1880. During the tour you’ll discover Fisherman’s Wharf, visit the Old Whaling Station and its whale-bone sidewalk, and look at the remains of the Booth’s sardine factory. You’ll learn how a bolt of lighting almost destroyed the waterfront in 1924, and how the building of the breakwater in 1932 changed the harbor forever. Hear the real story of Cannery Row and how some little silvery fish made Monterey famous on the way past the Aquarium. At Hopkins Marine Station, where a Chinese fishing village once stood, you’ll hear about the development of marine and ecological science on Monterey Bay.

The J.B. Phillips Fisheries Lecture "I Wanted to be a Baseball Player: Frank Manaka and the Japanese Fishermen of Monterey Bay" Join Tim Thomas, MHAA/ Maritime Museum of Monterey historian, on Sunday November 6th to hear this largely unknown story of Japanese fishermen and their crucial role in the development of the Monterey fishing and canning industry. Tim will be using historical photographs from the Frank Manaka Collection, many of which have never been seen before. Time: Sunday, November 6th at 2 p.m. Where: In the History Theatre, Stanton Center/Maritime Museum of Monterey Cost: Free for MHAA Members and $5.00 for non-members For reservations and more information contact: Tim Thomas at, 831-372-2608 x17 or by email: tim@montereyhistory.org

The Hotel Del Monte Join Author and historian Julie Cain as we step back in time to "tour" one of America’s most glamorous hotels of the 19th and early 20th century, the Hotel Del Monte. Ms. Cain, will show historic images and discuss her research from her new book, "Monterey’s Hotel Del Monte and MHAA’s Noticias—Landscaping the Gilded Age: Rudolph Ulrich at Monterey’s Hotel Del Monte 1880-1890. There will be a book signing following the lecture. Where: The History Theatre at the Stanton Center/Maritime Museum When: Sunday December 4, at 2:p.m. Cost: Free for Members of MHAA and $5.00 for non-members For reservations and more information call Tim Thomas, 372-2608x17 or email: tim@montereyhistory.org

A Day on the Monterey Waterfront—1909: The Photographs of Phillips Lewis MHAA/Maritime Museum historian, Tim Thomas will present this illustrated lecture utilizing newly discovered photographs of the Monterey Waterfront. Mr. Lewis was an artist who came to Monterey to study under famed Monterey artist, Armin Hansen. These remarkable images, circa 1909, of fishermen and working people on the Monterey Wharf are believed to have been taken on one day in late July or early August, 1909 and gives you a real look at life on the Monterey Waterfront before the sardine was "King." Following the lecture at 3:00pm, there will be a Curators walk through of the August Gay exhibit When: Saturday December 10 at 2:00p.m. Where: History Theatre, Stanton Center/Maritime Museum For reservations and more information contact: Tim Thomas at, 831-372-2608 x17 or by email: tim@montereyhistory.org  Cost: Free for MHAA members and Museum admission for non-members