Colton Hall Museum
Colton Hall Museum
4.5
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Built in 1849 to serve as a public school and town meeting hall, this historic building is now a museum open for public touring.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.5
74 reviews
Excellent
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Very good
27
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roy v
Traralgon, Australia5,940 contributions
Jul 2024 • Family
We enjoyed going here after the huge Independence Day parade.
There were so many people on the lawns, eating and drinking and listening to the music.
The Hall looked terrific with the Fourth Of July decorations on it .
We went in and had a look around, nice building and a bit of history to learn. Very historic place and hard to imagine you are standing where history was made as the Californian Constitution was conceived and signed in this Hall.
Nice volunteer Gentleman there who was happy to give us information, That was excellent
There were so many people on the lawns, eating and drinking and listening to the music.
The Hall looked terrific with the Fourth Of July decorations on it .
We went in and had a look around, nice building and a bit of history to learn. Very historic place and hard to imagine you are standing where history was made as the Californian Constitution was conceived and signed in this Hall.
Nice volunteer Gentleman there who was happy to give us information, That was excellent
Written July 5, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Wendy D
Plattsburgh, NY56 contributions
Aug 2019
It was really fascinating to get a sense for the work that went into creating California's first constitution, and learn about the variety of people that contributed to its creation. The building is very well preserved. There's a small bookstore/gift shop. I spent about 30 minutes there.
Written August 15, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Phil N
Sonora, CA49 contributions
Jul 2018 • Couples
What can I say - this is one of my favorite places to visit, and I always do when I am in Monterey. The building is well preserved and remains authentic to the original setting and times. The history is well documented and very interesting. It is the place where the California constitution was written. It has served many purposes including a school over the years. Walter Colton himself is a very interesting guy, and played a significant part in California history. As a minister he had a unique perspective on power. He was appointed Alcalde, kind of a combination of mayor, judge, sheriff and lawgiver. His appreciation for democracy, human rights and of the uses and limits of power led him to conclude that no man should have this much power. The grounds around the hall are also spacious and peaceful.
Written July 22, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Caroline S
Monterey County, CA95 contributions
Jul 2017 • Solo
Colton Hall Museum was named after a military chaplain. It was built out of white stone from a near-by hill. It housed government and education at its beginnings. Open to the public mainly 10 to 4 except in the winter as it has shorter hours. This is where the California Constitution was signed. If you are in to education places this is one to take time to visit!
Written August 15, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
RichinMonterey
Monterey, CA35 contributions
Jul 2015
California joined the union in September, 1850, and this is where it happened! How much history can you stand? If you plan on visiting Monterey, be sure not to miss Colton Hall, on Pacific Street, near the Police station, the Fire Station, and the Library. Other notable points of history include the Robert Louis Stevenson house, the Whaling Station, Customs House. the First theater, the First Brick House, and other historic places well restored and open to the public. End your tour at Fisherman's Wharf (next to Customs House) for dinner, while you're at it. (I'm a native of Monterey & so I know this stuff...)
Written July 13, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
seek_save
Monterey, CA118 contributions
May 2015 • Couples
In the original city hall for Monterey, this is a great little museum that give the history of Monterey and California. Admission is free, the scenery is great, and worth making a quick stop.
Written June 30, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Yo Giacomo
Dana Point, CA2,690 contributions
If you are a Californian or a history buff this is is very worthwhile. 30 min will give you incredible insight into our statehood endeavor. Free, with an excellent docent, it is apiece of our heritage that should not be missed.
Written January 15, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ladylove71
S.F. Bay Area46 contributions
Colton Hall is an historic gem. This was where the first California constitution was drawn up and ratified in 1849. The hall is laid out as it may have looked in 1849 there are long tables littered with copies of the actual amendments that were ratified. It is like stepping back in time. The docent that was there that day was so knowledgeable about California history and was a joy to talk to. If you visit be sure to check out the old jail that is behind the hall.
Written April 25, 2010
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ras15
Arlington, Virginia USA59 contributions
Jan 2019 • Couples
My goodness, but this small museum (one large room plus a little annex) packs in a lot of history, complete with actual and facsimile documents dealing with the state constitutional convention. One can readily imagine the delegates at work 170 years ago. The docent was quite informative and added to the high quality of the site. The park in front is very pretty and has some historical markers embedded in the walkway.
Written February 11, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bob M
Santa Rosa, CA76 contributions
Jan 2019 • Solo
Up until California became a state, Monterey was the capital of Alta [upper] California, and was the most important town. In 1849, the Constitutional Convention was held to create the State of California, however, Monterey was never the capital of California. It was about the time gold was discovered in the Sierras, and almost overnight, San Francisco became the prominent commercial hub, and Monterrey was almost deserted. Colton hall has been preserved much as it was when the constitution was signed, with documents and furniture being original. While the museum is fairly small, its importance to California history makes it a MUST SEE!
Written February 4, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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