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 wait 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
wagmel
USA70 contributions
Feb 2020
The building is small, but the exhibits are interesting. If one is not from the area, the exhibits give a good overview of the history of the area. The docent on duty when we were there was particularly lively and interesting, and we spent most of our time there talking to her. She was very knowledgeable about the Carnegie libraries around the country as well as the history of San Luis Obispo.
Written February 7, 2020
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.
CADreamers28
San Diego, CA153 contributions
Jan 2020
It's a pretty small library building that was part of the Carnegie endowment, but it contains some very interesting artifacts and local historical information. If you're not from the central coast area you will probably enjoy the short video on the history of the area, including the original inhabitants. To me, the history of the native people is extremely interesting and they have done a reasonable job of representing the Chumash culture, as well as Californio culture.
Written January 20, 2020
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.
Jim B
Grapeview, WA1,842 contributions
Feb 2023 • Couples
The best part of this museum is the beautiful old Carnegie Library it is housed in. There are a few interesting exhibits inside, and it is free, so it is worth a visit.
My favorite was a large panorama photo of San Luis Obispo with many recognizable buildings that are still in existence.
My favorite was a large panorama photo of San Luis Obispo with many recognizable buildings that are still in existence.
Written February 16, 2023
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.
micchio
Sacramento, CA261 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
141 contributions
Sep 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, AZ654 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, CA28 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.
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