Museum Hours

Monday …………………………………… Closed

Tuesday-Friday ……………….... 10AM–2PM

Saturday ………………………………. 11AM-3PM

Sunday ……………………………………. Closed

Free Fridays ……………………….. 10AM-3PM

Admission

The museum entry requires admission for those 18 years and older. Listed below are our admission prices

Adults (18+) ........................ $10.00 Adults (55+) .............….......... $6.00 Youth 17 & under ................. Free Students (ID) ......................... Free

Admission is free for all on the second Friday of every month.

Mission Statement:

To educate and to promote respect and appreciation for the early cultural heritage of the Americas and natural history of the world.

Looking for a unique venue for your next event? The museum offers beautiful indoor and outdoor spaces for rent—perfect for meetings, receptions, or special gatherings. Contact us to learn more about availability, pricing, and amenities.

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 newly envisioned purpose of the museum’s art wing is to celebrate the intersection of artistic expression and cultural heritage, with a special focus on works that illuminate the stories, traditions, and perspectives of diverse communities throughout the Americas. This revitalized space will feature rotating exhibits that highlight both historical and contemporary art, fostering dialogue between the past and present. Through immersive displays, educational programming, and community partnerships, the art wing aims to inspire curiosity, deepen cultural understanding, and invite visitors of all ages to engage with the transformative power of art.The Heritage of the Americas Museum is a 501(c)3 non-profit education foundation under the guidance of a Board of Directors.

The Museum, which opened in January 1993, is the culmination of the life-long dream of the late Bernard "Bud" Lueck, founder of the Museum. The ambitious project grew out of Mr. Lueck's passion for ancient artifacts, which began when he was a 10-year-old boy in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. His father was a farmer and he would pick up arrowheads as he followed his father's plow.

Bud's parents enrolled him in an art class in the basement of the Oshkosh Public Museum. When class was over each day, he would wander up to the museum and marvel at all of the interesting things on display. Bud's interest gained the attention of the museum staff and at age 16, he was invited to join them on archaeological digs. At 19, he moved on to the museum in Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin, where he was involved in an excavation that uncovered the remains of Chief Red Bird.

In subsequent years, Bud, a long-time member of the Archaeological Society, continued his avocation by volunteering at the Burke Museum in Seattle and the Museum of Native American Cultures in Spokane, where he took courses at the University of Washington.

In 1961, Bud, his wife Bernadette, and their three children moved to Santee, a suburb of San Diego, where he established a sheet metal business. Throughout the years, though, he continued studying and collecting a wide array of museum-quality artifacts.