Located in Sherman Heights, the Villa Montezuma Museum is the former home of internationally acclaimed pianist and author Jesse Shepard. During his lifetime, Shepard was a singer, composer, and spiritualist mystic. His life was filled with traveling, composing music, and performing concerts. He died in Los Angeles in 1927. However, his legacy lives on in the Villa Montezuma. Call your friends and family to explore the museum at 1925 K St, San Diego, CA 92102.
The villa is located at 1925 K Street in Sherman Heights. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It is a Queen Anne style mansion with ornate interiors and exteriors. It features five fireplaces, a turret, and a winged dragon weathervane. The building is also decorated with stained glass windows. The windows represent a variety of authors and artists. The main level of the home has a large music room, while the dining room is located on the upper level.
Click here to see additional info on other locations to visit in San Diego County.
The villa has a Victorian feel, but it also incorporates a splash of Russian architecture. In addition to its unique architecture, the villa also has a mysterious sprinkling of ghosts and spirits. Owners of the mansion have reported seeing apparitions and ghostly figures lingering in the stained glass windows.
In order to open the Villa Montezuma to the public, the San Diego Historical Society needed to get the building restored. They contacted a company called Platt/Whitelaw to assess the current condition. The firm suggested improvements that would be needed to reopen the house. The company provided full architectural services for the restoration project. Eventually, the house opened to the public in November 1972. However, in 1986, the building was damaged by a fire. This caused major financial and safety concerns. The mansion was closed for almost a decade.
The San Diego Historical Society decided to use Villa Montezuma as a museum. They opened the home four times a year for free interior tours. In addition, they held educational programs for children. In addition, they were able to receive a federal grant to restore the building. The federal CDBG grant was used to refurbish the chimneys and roof. The restoration took over a year.
The Villa Montezuma Museum is also a center for the arts. The museum is open to visitors who register with the San Diego Parks and Recreation Department. Visitors are also allowed to take self-guided tours. The museum also offers online tours.
The Villa Montezuma Museum is on the National Register of Historic Places. It is also located in the Sherman Heights Historic District. The Museum is owned by the city of San Diego. In 1969, the San Diego History Center bought the building and began renovating it. It opened as a museum in 1972.
After the renovations were completed, the home was open for free tours four times a year. This was done in order to meet the requirements of a federal CDBG grant. In addition, the museum received state funding for restoration. The state has allocated $5 million for the project. The state funds are being allocated to three museums, including the Villa Montezuma Museum. In the future, the museum may be open more often.
Driving Directions From RKC Construction To This POI
Driving Directions To The Next POI
Recent Comments