History Center and Museum of San Luis Obispo County
History Center and Museum of San Luis Obispo County
History Center and Museum of San Luis Obispo County
4
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
About
Located in the former Carnegie Library, this museum traces the history of San Luis Obispo County from the era of the Chumash and Salinan Indians to present day.
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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.
Popular mentions
4.0
72 reviews
Excellent
26
Very good
34
Average
10
Poor
1
Terrible
1
micchio
Sacramento, CA262 contributions
Dec 2021
We've been to a lot of local history museums, and unfortunately this one was one of the weakest. Very few exhibits, none on Cal Poly or the Mission. OK as a quick pop-in along with SLOMA and Mission.
Written December 4, 2021
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.
Cynthia C
142 contributions
Sept 2019 • Solo
Just a step away from Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa
Beautiful architecture and friendly staff.
You can watch video about the history
Beautiful architecture and friendly staff.
You can watch video about the history
Written September 17, 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.
Bobbi
Las Vegas, NV130 contributions
Oct 2014 • Friends
Our first stop on the walking tour of historic SLO. Beautiful building built in the very early 1900s to house the first free library in SLO, funded by Andrew Carnegie. Today it houses the History Center. The photograph gallery of early inhabitants of SLO was excellent, though no photography is allowed. The docent was extremely friendly and talkative seeming to very much enjoy her job. Worth the visit. For a small donation of $3 (though not required), you can pick up a short history of the library.
Written October 29, 2014
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.
arizonaac
Phoenix, AZ657 contributions
May 2014 • Solo
I was in town visiting a good friend and had time to spend so just ventured out to see what the town had to offer.
Seeing how small town evolve over time is interesting to me.
You can see the museum and then go down the main retail streets to get a good feel for how they have done a good job preserving the building fronts.
Seeing how small town evolve over time is interesting to me.
You can see the museum and then go down the main retail streets to get a good feel for how they have done a good job preserving the building fronts.
Written May 19, 2014
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.
David G
San Luis Obispo, CA29 contributions
Mar 2013 • Solo
You don't expect to find such an excellent museum in such a small city. The exhibits are exceptionally interesting and professionally presented. The volunteer staff are friendly and very helpful. And the building, originally a Carnegie library, is a nicely restored gem. Well worth a visit.
Written March 24, 2013
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.
Don M
New York City, NY22 contributions
Dec 2012 • Couples
The former Carnegie library is a wonderful little building, much better designed that those back east. There's not much space for displays but the exhibit on the Dallidet family was well presented and a good introduction to local history.
Written January 4, 2013
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.
RRyen
San Luis Obispo, CA2 contributions
So this museum is small because its in the old Carnegie Library, but its exhibits are very interesting. If you area a tourist this museum is an excellent way to learn about local SLO history. When I went they had a beautiful exhibit on wedding dresses and weddings in the county as well as an exhibit called "The Catch!" opening, about fishermen in Morro Bay. The gift shop was fantastic and I bought some neat beaded purses for Christmas. The I-Pod walking tour is incredible, it takes you all through downtown to the top sights and explains the history in a fun and informative way, my teens especially enjoyed the 'high-tech' aspect to this. Definitely a must for locals and tourists!
Written November 18, 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.
traveldan21
Culver City, CA800 contributions
Jul 2021
Popped in for a quick visit. Lots of interesting photographs and info on SLO history. Had a nice chat with the docent who was there on his first day!
Written July 6, 2021
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.
pme57
San Luis Obispo, CA24 contributions
Oct 2015 • Couples
The history museum is located in one of the Carnegie Libraries. It is a gorgeous little gem of a building suitable for architecture and history fans. The people who run the History Center are great folks. It's usually staffed by local volunteers. this is not the Smithsonian or even a city history museum, kids will be bored very quickly. But it's far better than most small town historical societies. It's definitely worth a visit if you want to learn about the early settlers and why San Luis Obispo grew. That time is covered well. I wish it had more material about more recent history like the 40s, 50s, and 60s.
Written September 2, 2016
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.
fredusa
usa18 contributions
Jan 2016 • Solo
A nice break in a morning stroll -- this museum had an amusing exhibit on prohibition in the nearby area and a traveling show on Phoebe Hearst, wife of the first Hearst, George. Plus, there was a video and a room filled with photos. Interesting note: the Dorothea Lange photo of a Depression era migrant mother was taken in this county!
Written January 13, 2016
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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