Page 25 - SLO Visitors Guide Fall-Holiday 2026

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San Luis Obispo
Memorabilia donated by the family of Seaman Second Class Clifton Scroggins, US Navy, 1918-1919.
Remembering and honoring local veterans
Step into history at the Central
Coast Veterans Memorial Mu-
seum (CCVMM) and learn about
the military artifacts on display.
Experienced and knowledgeable
docents are present to provide
historical details. Visitors can
expect to see artifacts from wars
dating back to World War I and
gain a greater understanding of
military history.
“We are a free, all-volunteer
museum that honors and remem-
bers our veterans, with a special
emphasis on Central Coast
veterans. We are an educational
facility giving a voice to veterans'
stories. We feature authors and
historians for our speaker series
and conduct outreach throughout
the Central Coast. We are the
only Central Coast partners with
the Library of Congress Veter-
ans History Project. This project
records and preserves veterans'
stories,” President and Director
Bart Topham said.
History on display
Founded in 2002, the Central
Coast Veterans Memorial Museum
has collected artifacts from the
local and national community. The
displays include uniforms from
World War II, recruitment signs, a
military communications unit, and
more. One special item is a piece
from the U.S.S. Arizona, which was
destroyed during the December 7,
1941, attack on Pearl Harbor.
Be sure to stop by the armory,
which displays over 100 weapons
from the Vietnam War, World
War II, and others. There are
multiple opportunities to interact
with history through videos and
kiosks. Displays are changed
twice a year, so there is always
something new to discover with
each visit. Group tours are avail-
able, and guests can approach any
friendly docent with questions
about the exhibits.
“As a result of our schools
teaching less and less about our
conflict history, our military, and
our veterans and their contribu-
tions, it has become even more
essential for the Central Coast
community to visit and support
their veterans’ museum. It’s im-
portant to bring our young people
to learn more about what has
been done on their behalf, and
what it means to be an Ameri-
can,” Topham said.
The Veteran’s History Project
CCVMM is the only Central
Coast site in California certified by
the Library of Congress for record-
ing interviews for the Veterans
History Project. So far, CCVMM
has recorded over 500 stories.
The Veterans History Project is
an important part of the museum’s
mission, with the website noting
that they “believe every veteran’s
story of service is worthy of preser-
vation, whether they served during
peacetime or wartime, regardless
of what job they performed. Their
service and sacrifices will not be
forgotten.”
This history project is a free
service for every veteran, whether
serving during peacetime or
wartime. Every story matters and
deserves to be recorded. Contact
CCVMM to learn more.
“We rely on the Central Coast
community for support, dona-
tions, and input. We are your
Central Coast Veterans Museum,”
Topham said.
The Central Coast Veterans Memo-
rial Museum is located at 801 Grand
Avenue, Suite 102, in San Luis Obispo.
Open Wednesday through Saturday
from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. For more in-
formation, visit vetmuseum.org or call
(805) 543-1763.
— Sadie Mae Mace
The Central Coast
Veterans Memorial
Museum is open to all