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Monterey State Historic Park Association
www.montereystatehistoricparkassociation.org
Organization Type:
Non-profit
Mission:
The mission of MSHPA is to support interpretation, educational programs and special events at Monterey
State Historic Park and to assist California State Parks by raising funds and increasing public awareness.
We focus on 1) educational programs, both our summer history day camp and school-year programs for students
and 2) Christmas in the Adobes, which celebrates the Old California culture of 1820-60 in more than 20 downtown
adobes, with greeters in period dress, and free refreshments, music and dance. We operate two museum stores
in the historic downtown area to raise funding to support the above endeavors.
Contact:
Susan Miller
Monterey State Historic Park Association
525 Polk Street
Monterey, CA 93940
Phone: (831) 649-7111
mshpa@att.net
Geographical Focus:
Local, Regional, State
Counties Served:
Monterey
Activities:
Education, Tourism, Recreation
Topic:
Cultural History, Historic Structure Preservation
Educational Resources:
Outreach Programs, On-Site Programs, Field Trips, Newsletter, Brochures, Multimedia, Website
Speaker/Lecture Series:
Film of Old Historic Monterey and speakers describing educational programs for children and Christmas in the Adobes
Education Programs:
- Los Ninos: Week-long history summer day camp series for students entering grades 3-6. Students
dress in Californio outfits, take Spanish names and learn daily skills of youngsters in Mexican-era California.
- School year hands-on interpretive programs: For students in grades 3 and 4, which teach about
the Californio culture and daily skills of youngsters in Californio days and also native American lifestyle.
- Christmas in the Adobes: Celebrates the Old Californio culture of 1820-60 in more than 20 downtown
adobes, with greeters in period dress, and free refreshments, music, and dance.
- Fourth of July hands-on activities: As part of City's celebration of Colton Hall, where the Constitution
of California was written, and Monterey as the state's first capital partner in other City and community activities.
- Docents at the Robert Louis Stevenson house in downtown Monterey
- The Cooper-Molera Adobe tells the story of New England Sea Captain, John Rogers Cooper, who immigrated
to California and married a prominent California-Mexican woman, Encarnacion Vallejo, in 1827. Cooper traveled
extensively, trading in hides, tallow, general merchandise, and sea otter pelts. His oldest daughter, Anita,
and later his grandchildren, Andrew and Frances Molera, continued to build on the 2.5 acre site through the early
1900s. The house was fully restored by California State Parks in the 1980s and contains many fine furnishings
assembled by the Cooper and Molera families.
The Cooper-Molera grounds contain plants, vegetables and trees that would have been available to the Coopers
before 1865. Located behind the 19th centuray adobe walls, the gardens invite visitors to explore, and also
offer a place to sit and relax.
Since 1968, the property has been owned by the National Trust for Historic Preservation and is operated by
California State Parks. The Cooper Museum Store sells reproductions of typical goods, from toys to bygone
household items, as well as books about Monterey and California's past. Children's educational programs, family
Living History programs, private tours and weddings are a year-round focus for the Cooper Garden. Information
on Monterey State Historic Park, historic house tours, as well as other historic site information can be obtained in the store.
Target Audiences:
K-6, General Public
Group Size Accommodated:
Up to 30 (for student programs)
Volunteer Opportunities
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