Traveling Museum Exhibits

Traveling Museum Exhibits

In order to keep museum experiences dynamic, engaging, and relevant, CCSPA is proud to sponsor traveling exhibitions at the Morro Bay Museum of Natural History and Spooner Ranch House at Montaña de Oro State Park. These traveling exhibits feature various natural, cultural, and historic topics to expand the interpretive opportunities offered at their respective locations. See below for what’s on display at each site!

Morro Bay State Park Museum of Natural History

The Curious World of Seaweed

October 15 – December 15

Through stunning color “portraits” of specimens, scientifically-accurate text panels, and surprising stories highlighting Indigenous peoples’ and women’s connections to seaweed, The Curious World of Seaweed provides a new look at marine flora.

Join us for the Exhibit Launch, November 1st, 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM at the Morro Bay Museum of Natural History 

CCSPA and CA State Parks are honored to welcome Josie Iselin, photographer and author of, The Curious World of Seaweed, to the Museum of Natural History for our Exhibit Launch! Iselin will give a presentation about her work and her Seaweed exhibit being featured now until December 15. Snacks and refreshments will be provided to accompany your experience exploring the variety of seaweed specimens and informational panels. Iselin will be available for book signing and sale so make sure to bring your copy!

The Curious World of Seaweed is a traveling exhibition from author and artist Josie Iselin in partnership with Exhibit Envoy. The exhibit is based on the book of the same name by Iselin (Heyday Books). Exhibit Envoy provides traveling exhibitions and professional services to museums throughout California. For more information, visit www.exhibitenvoy.org.
This traveling exhibit experience was funded by the Harold J. Miossi Charitable Trust.

October 15 – December 15

  • Bull Kelp by Josie Iselin
  • Cyanotype of Pikea californica by Josie Iselin
  • William Henry Harvey grouped seaweeds by color: brown, red, and green. Photograph by Josie Iselin.

Spooner Ranch House at Montaña de Oro State Park

World War II on the Central Coast

On Display Indefinitely

This exhibit, developed by State Park staff, examines the impact of World War II on the Central Coast, and especially on the San Luis Obispo Coast District of California State Parks.

World War II was a global event that impacted the Central Coast in myriad ways—from the influx of soldiers who trained at Camp San Luis Obispo and Morro Bay, to the expulsion of residents of Japanese descent from their coastal homes, to the gripping fear of a potential attack on the coast that initiated coastal “black outs.” The exhibition explores this history through panels, audio recordings, and tactile displays that engage visitors in the experience of WWII along the Central Coast, and especially within our local State Parks.

Through examining the events of WWII that took place at our local State Parks, this exhibition endeavors to broaden historical perspectives and bring to light some of the lesser-known stories of this period of local and international turmoil.

Morro Bay State Park Museum of Natural History

Albatross: Life on the Wind and Sea

December 24 – April 21

Explore albatross biology and their conservation with colorful art and engaging, informative text.

Off the California coast, albatrosses soar effortlessly over the churning sea and through storms. These ancient creatures have been misunderstood by humans throughout history, blamed for bad weather on ships, ridiculed for their clumsy gait on land. But what is life really like for an albatross? Family-friendly exhibit Albatross: Life on the Wind and Sea sweeps you into the world of this mysterious seabird.

Join us for the Exhibit Launch, March 14th, 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM at the Morro Bay Museum of Natural History 

Albatross: Life on the Wind and Sea is a traveling exhibition from Hawaii/California artist and author Caren Loebel-Fried in partnership with Exhibit Envoy. The exhibit tells the story of a nesting Laysan Albatross – one of the three albatross species found along the northern Pacific Coast. Loebel-Fried is one of the lucky few who has spent multiple weeks on Midway Atoll over the years, counting nesting albatrosses and researching for art she was commissioned to create for the US Fish and Wildlife Service. There, she fell in love with albatrosses, and hopes their story will bring people, especially children, closer to the natural world and want to help care for it. Exhibit Envoy provides traveling exhibitions and professional services to museums throughout California. For more information, visit www.exhibitenvoy.org.
This traveling exhibit experience was funded by the Harold J. Miossi Charitable Trust.

Do you want to contribute to CCSPA’s efforts in funding traveling exhibits and exhibit upgrades? Make a donation to CCSPA today! With your support, these facilities will continue to provide meaningful, memorable educational opportunities for the thousands of visitors who come to them each year.

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* Be sure to select “Traveling Exhibits & Exhibit Upgrades” as your program of support in the drop-down menu.