In October 1775, the Anza Expedition departed Tubac, Arizona, en route to Monterey. The expedition included approximately 240 settlers, mostly soldiers and their families. The European population of Monterey roughly quadrupled the moment the expedition arrived on March 10, 1776.

This exhibit commemorates the 250th anniversary of the Anza Expedition’s arrival in Monterey, which coincides with the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States. Instead of focusing exclusively on the Anza Expedition, the exhibit also explores Monterey as Anza and the settlers would have experienced it upon arrival. Reproductions of drawings created between 1786 and 1792 provide a visual sense of place and time. Although the drawings were created some time after the arrival of Anza, little changed in the interval, so the drawings depict, in large measure, what Anza and the settlers saw.

Monterey History & Art Association wishes to thank the following sponsors, who helped make this exhibit possible: Arts Council for Monterey County, the Yellow Brick Road Grant Program, and The Wecker Group.