This museum contains four exhibit areas: one in the main building and then three levels of the adjoining decommissioned water tower. It's not large, but it does a good job of covering the history of CdO from early to recent times: the native peoples, Spanish & American colonialism, the WWII era, the postwar era, the different governments & mayors, and so on.

If possible, I recommend scheduling a guided tour, as you will get so much more out of it. My guide, JC, could probably write a book based on his extensive knowledge of local history. He could take any exhibit item and tell a story around it explaining how it was used, why it was used, how it connects to various other historical topics, etc. I found his explanations fascinating even as someone who might not otherwise be fascinated by such things.

Admission is FREE.

– Alex

loved learning about the history of CDO where my dad grew up before he moved to the US. Our guide JC was extremely informative and fun to talk to!

– Lillian Dunn

Was impressed with the museum, although small, giving an impression of the formation of the city and how it changed over some of the key decades. The entrance is free and has repurposed the city's old water tower. Was given a guide to talk through the museum which was very informative

– Mark Weegmann