Villa Montezuma Introductory Video by the FOVM and City TV (Scroll over the text above to see the link for this nine-minute introduction to the museum, created by the FOVM and City TV.)

The Friends of the Villa Montezuma, Inc. (FOVM) is a 501-c-3 organization solely devoted to the magnificent Villa Montezuma, San Diego’s amazing Queen Anne Victorian house museum and cultural center. The Villa is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The museum is owned by the City of San Diego.

Tours are on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday at 1:00, 2:15, and 3:30 p.m. (details below).

Write Out Loud and the Friends of the Villa Montezuma present “The Valley of Shadows” on Saturday & Sunday, March 29 & 30. 1:00 & 3:00 p.m. BUY TICKETS now!

Pianist and Spiritualist Jesse Shepard is also known as author “Francis Grierson.” His most heartfelt book is The Valley of Shadows, his recollections of growing up in Lincoln country in the 1850s in Illinois. Write Out Loud has created a new adaptation of a work described as a masterpiece, to be presented in Jesse Shepard’s magnificent Palace of the Arts, the Villa Montezuma. This is not to be missed!

“Never was there more romance in a new country.”

Before pianist, Spiritualist, and writer Jesse Shepard became a world traveler and performer he was an immigrant boy growing up on the Illinois prairie in the time of comets, religious revivalism, and anti-slavery conflicts. Hear stories and song as he recalls scenes from his youth as the young United States of America reckons with its own sense of Self and Union. In a unique and lyrical series of vignettes Jesse Shepard, writing under his pen name “Francis Grierson,” paints an optimistic and enchanting picture of a people and a place shimmering on the brink of change.

Open seating in the gorgeous Music Room is limited to 30 guests. Performances are at 1:00 and 3:00 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, March 29 and 30. Doors open 10 minutes before each performance. Cost: $30 per person, or $15 for FOVM members (FOVM members please text us at 619-233-8833 for your discount code). Free street parking in this residential neighborhood. Buy your tickets now!

[We thank Kirk Alan Laughead for his original adaptation of the Valley of Shadows performed in September 2011, and for his recent republishing of this important work. He has been a true champion of bringing Jesse’s words to contemporary audiences.]

Cinballera Salon presents “Songs of the British Isles” on Monday, March 17, 7:00-9:00 p.m. RESERVE NOW!

CELEBRATE ST. PATRICK’S DAY WITH THE WONDERFUL SINGERS OF CINBALLERA!

Please reserve ASAP since we get fully booked. 

The talented artists of Cinballera (who love cinema, ballet and opera) return to the Villa Montezuma each month for a marvelous evening of opera for those who want to hear great singing in a more intimate setting. Open seating in the gorgeous Music Room is limited to 32 guests. Doors open at 6:45 p.m., performances are from 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. Suggested donation: $25 per person, or $15 for FOVM members. Pay in cash at the door. Make your reservation by emailing our organizations at admin@cinballera.org and copying the Friends of the Villa Montezuma at FOVM@VillaMontezumaMuseum.org. After we pay the pianist and performers the proceeds are shared between the two nonprofit organizations. Bonus: Guests received a voucher to return to see the entire museum! Free street parking in this residential neighborhood. Bring a friend to these magical evenings!

NOTE: New parking law in California mandates no parking within 20 feet of a stop sign or crosswalk: If parking on K Street near 20th Street please leave the “first spot” empty from the stop sign to comply with this new law. Guests and residents have so far gotten printed warnings. As of March 1, 2025, the SDPD will be issuing $77 tickets.

Discover Magazine bridal shoot at the Villa! See the July 2024 issue here.

The Villa Montezuma Museum is a gorgeous place for a small wedding! See just how beautiful with the delightful photos by Bryan Dahl. Click on the link above (see the museum starting on page 25). The interior scenes with the beautiful woodwork and stained glass are Jesse Shepard’s Palace of the Arts!

Over 50 Years as a Museum: In November 1972 the Villa Montezuma Museum opened to the public. We are honored to share this magnificent museum with you!

Thank You to former State Senator Ben Hueso: Thanks to his leadership, the State of California has allocated $5,000,000 for the restoration of the magnificent Villa Montezuma Museum. The FOVM looks forward to working with the City to make the Villa’s exterior gorgeous again. We hope restoration can begin in spring 2025.

VILLA MONTEZUMA MUSEUM TOUR DETAILS: You can see the entire magnificent, mysterious Villa Montezuma Museum! Tours are on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Tour times are at 1:00, 2:15, and (for large group tours) 3:30 p.m. All tours are guided. Regular admission costs per person:

1. -Adults: $15
   

2. -Active Duty Military, Seniors 65+, and students with ID: $12
   

3. -Children 12 and under: free with a paid adult
   

4. -Group rates for groups of eight or more adults: $10
   

School groups: contact us for special education rates

Your admission fee helps us cover the costs of maintenance and create events at the Villa Montezuma Museum!

Reserve your museum tour spot now!

1) Please reserve your time slot via texting us at 619-233-8833.

2) Museum location: 1925 K Street, corner of 20th & K, in the Sherman Heights Historic District of San Diego, just east of downtown and the East Village. This is a residential neighborhood with no-cost parking near the Villa in the neighborhood in the daytime.

3) Please bring cash to pay for your admission. Please, no bills over $20. We don’t take credit cards or other forms of payment.

There is no eating, drinking, photography, recording or use of apps allowed inside this historic site. Please, no sharp heels to protect the historic floors. Any strollers, suitcases, backpacks, and  large bags of any kind will need to remain in the front lobby.

We’re not haunted, we’re enchanted! We’re a beautiful historic site. We do not do paranormal investigations. We do partner with the Haunted San Diego Tours to share some of the real history of the mysterious Mr. Jesse Shepard!

One Man, Two Names

The Villa Montezuma is the Historic Jesse Shepard/”Francis Grierson” House. It was built in 1887 as the home of world famous pianist, author, and Spiritualist Jesse Shepard. Jesse began a writing career in San Diego and took the pen name “Francis Grierson,” a name that he used in life as well as for his writing. The Villa is located in the Sherman Heights Historic District of downtown San Diego, CA, at the corner of 20th & K Streets. The Sherman Heights Historic District is the largest historic district within San Diego; it has almost 400 contributing historic structures. Learn more by scheduling a walking tour for your group of 10 or more guests.

Ongoing Restoration

Thank you to our former State Senator Ben Hueso for getting restoration funding for the City of San Diego (owner of this historic site). Restoration planning is ongoing and work should begin in Spring 2025. Your museum admission fee helps the Friends of the Villa Montezuma produce educational events and achieve our maintenance goals.

You’re invited to join the FOVM to make a difference in the Villa’s future.

The FOVM mailing address (NOT THE LOCATION OF THE MUSEUM):

FOVM, Inc.

657 20th Street

San Diego, CA 92102-2810

PHYSICAL location of the museum (do not mail to the museum):

corner of 20th & K Streets (for GPS, use 1925 K Street)

Sherman Heights Historic District

San Diego, CA 92102

Questions? Text us or call us: 619-233-8833.