Last updated: 5/24/2013
Monterey, California
Street Address
570 Pacific Street
Monterey, CA 93940
Mailing Address
Museums and Cultural Arts - City of Monterey
570 Pacific Street
Monterey, CA 93940

Hours

Daily
10 AM - 4 PM

Admissions

free

Free. Donations Accepted.

Staff

Dennis Copeland
Description

Built to serve as a public school and town meeting hall, Colton Hall now offers visitors a re-creation of the meeting room where California's first Constitution was drafted in October 1849 and exhibits on early Monterey. Colton Hall is a State Historic Landmark and a major site in the Old Town Historic District, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, in Monterey, once the capital of Alta California.

History

Bithplace of the State of California. Site of the 1849 Constitutional Convention to establish constitution, debated and written in Engliah and Spanish, the constitution established rights for women, California as a free state, set state boundaries, and more. Also served as a school and courthouse, and is the oldest public building in continous use in California.

Artifact Collections

Furnishings; art; materials associated with constitutional convention, school, and courts.

Research Collections
By appointment

Books and archival collections: photographs, documents, ledgers, memorabila associated with constitution, courts, and schools.

Educational Programs

Class and organization tours and presentations

Spring Music Series (donations accepted)
"Talking History" lecture series during May (National Museum Month)
Governance

Colton Hall Museum and Cultural Arts Commission: Museums and Cultural Arts Division, City of Montdrey

Publications

Pending; Please check back here or our website.

Services
Gift Shop
Group Tours
ADA

Two story historic building. Not wheelchair accessible.

Parking
Restrooms
Exhibitions
Museum Events
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MUSEUM CONFERENCES

Public Lands Alliance 2025 Convention and Trade Show

February 2 - 6, 2025

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Georgia Association of Museums 2025 Conference

February 5 - 7, 2025

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Small Museum Association 41st Annual Conference 2025

February 17 - 19, 2025

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2025 California Association of Museums Conference

February 18 - 22, 2025

San Fransico, California

2025 Tennessee Association of Museums Conference: HOPE

March 11 - 14, 2025

Knoxville, Tennessee

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