Research Archives
Palermo Building Research Room
The History Center's Archival Collections contain historical records such as documents, artifacts, photographs and media relevant to and associated with persons, places, organizations, institutions and events in La Mesa History. Archival materials are provided to researchers and scholars at the Palermo Building Research Room, located behind the McKinney House.
The History Center Archives is not a lending institution but the Archives has photocopying and photo print capabilities available for a fee.
The Research Room is regularly open each Saturday from 1 to 4pm (excepting holidays).
Archival Collections
The Archival collections include documents, photographs, microfilm, video and audio oral history collections, books and other published and unpublished archival materials.
These are made available to researchers at the Palermo Building Research Room. These items may be original materials, if prepared for handling, or the information may be presented via photocopies or microfilm.
Many researchers come to the archives to research their houses, look up family members or confirm past events.
Some of the most popular archival collections include the microfilm of the La Mesa Scout newspaper, city directories (1887-1973), and the yearbooks from Grossmont and Helix High Schools.
Historic Photo Collections
One of the History Center's most popular collections is its extensive historic photograph collection. The collection includes thousands of images dating from the late 1800s to the present.
These invaluable photographic images document La Mesa’s historic landscape including buildings, civic organization and institutions, businesses, schools, events, community leaders, individuals and long-time families.
The History Center is actively collecting additional images, including film and video, of La Mesa for its photographic archives.
We also now have the ability to scan original images so that the originals can stay in the possession of the owner if wished. If you have historical images to donate, please visit the Archives.
Object Collections
Per its purpose and mission, the La Mesa History Center collects objects that are relevant to La Mesa area history. The History Center's main object collections are used to furnish the McKinney House Museum. The majority of the objects and artifacts collected are those directly associated with the McKinney House and its interpretive period of 1908-1920.
The History Center's Archival and Object Collections will have a specific connection to the cultural history of La Mesa and its historically associated neighboring communities and/or provide support for interpretive/educational themes and programs.
Potential collection items include furnishings, equipment, personal items and historical records of individuals, organizations and institutions.
Finding Aid - Catalog of Collections (Under Development)
As noted the History Center's Archival Collections contain historical records such as documents, artifacts, photographs and/or relevant to and associated with persons, places, organizations, institutions and events in La Mesa History
Inventory and cataloging of the Archival Collections is underway. The goal is to be able to provide researchers with a Catalog of Collections finding aid. As finding aids are completed, they are added to the Online Archive of California.
History References
Over the years local historians and Society members have completed research and have written papers and manuscripts on various subjects. Some of these are available via our digital archive.
Newsletters
Archive of the La Mesa History Center's own Newsletters is available here.
La Mesa Historic Nomination Reports
Archive of Nomination Reports for La Mesa houses with Historic Designation is available here.