San Diego History Center

The mission of the San Diego History Center (SDHC) is to preserve our history, tell the diverse story of our region -- past, present and future -- educate and enrich our community, and foster civic pride. Through the presentation of dynamic and diverse exhibitions, making available our extensive archival collections, and offering numerous K-12 and adult education programs, the San Diego History Center serves as an essential part of civic engagement, fostering inclusive and understanding communities in San Diego and across the region. 

We present insightful exhibitions on San Diego’s unique cultures, communities and history; develop in-depth educational programs for all ages;  produce the bi-annual Journal of San Diego History, one of the few scholarly history publications in the nation; preserve and expand our historical archives; provide public research support; and engage audiences through online programming.  

 SDHC collaborates with diverse communities to deliver impactful, inclusive exhibitions that tell the history of San Diego with artifacts, works of art, ethnographic materials, original photographs and documents, art works, oral histories and other sources. Our education programs aim to increase students’ exposure to San Diego’s rich cultural heritage using hands-on workshops that give students the ability to make real-world connections between the past and present, while building skills that support increased academic outcomes.