Winter 2024

122 C A R M E L M A G A Z I N E • W I N T E R 2 0 2 4 (Above) MHAA Treasurer Susan Mar and President Gary Spradlin and many others devoted countless hours to the museum’s resurrection. (Below) Artist Paul Whitman’s work—along with Armin Hansen and other early area artists. Photos: Kelli Uldall Designed by Carmel architect Robert Stanton, the two-story building near Old Fisherman’s Wharf was dedicated in 1991 and initially housed the Museum of Monterey (MoM). Today, the vision for the museum is to shine a light on various aspects of Monterey history on the main floor. As of this writing, informative multi-media exhibits highlight Dalí ’s infamous 1941 “Surrealistic Night in an Enchanted Forest” gala at the Hotel Del Monte. Another highlights the Italian-American influence on the region while Monterey’s intimate relationship with the ocean is explored in a third. The second story will maintain changing exhibitions of the work of Monterey area artists such as Armin Hansen, Paul Whitman and Jo Mora (see page 120 for information). Storage rooms hold a vast array of artifacts that tell the tale of Monterey: uniforms, antique furniture, weapons and works of art among them. Most will someday be cycled through as parts of future exhibitions. The association is steadily making improve- ments to the building’s infrastructure. The the- ater received new sound and lighting systems and efforts are underway to bring public aware- ness to the museum.“We’re having trouble with people knowing we’re open,” Spradlin says. “Because we’re right next to the wharf, there’s a lot of foot traffic on Custom House Plaza. But people walk right by and sometimes say ‘what is this place?’ So, we’re trying to let people know that we’re a museum and are welcoming guests.” Various ideas are being considered about signage and other means of creating a more enticing atmosphere to the museum. The Stanton Center museum is open Sunday- Monday and Wednesday-Saturday from noon to 4:00 pm. For more information and to learn how to join in the association’s efforts, visit www.montereyhistory.org.