Overview
Headquarters
El Cajon, California
Category
Museums and Institutions
The Heritage of the Americas Museum is located on a knoll near the West entrance of Cuyamaca College in Rancho San Diego, California. The Museum is a cultural and educational center featuring the prehistoric and historic art and culture of the Americas and natural history of the world. Though child-friendly, the Museum houses a collection that would be considered incredible by any standards. People of all ages marvel at the vast array of items displayed in the four wings of the Museum. A visit to the Museum is like taking a journey through time. It begins in the Natural Wing, with collections of meteorites, gems and minerals, and fossils from all over the world. There is also an array of mounted animals and sea life specimens. The Archaeology Wing contains an amazing collection of pre-Columbian artifacts from throughout the Americas. The Anthropology Wing follows, with artifacts generally from the last two centuries after the arrival of the Europeans. The biggest surprise comes from in the Art Wing. It began as a collection of more recent Western Art, with many noted artists represented. Then Bud Lueck, Museum founder, added an exceptional collection of Chinese artifacts. The collection of dynastic jade pieces, including a 2,000 year-old jade burial suit from the Han Dynasty, is considered one of the finest in the United States. The Heritage of the Americas Museum is a 501(c)3 non-profit education foundation under the guidance of a Board of Directors.
