The lower rotunda now houses the main reception area for the city of Atascadero.

Atascadero Historical Society docents offer glimpse of city’s history

Nearly 10 years after the 2003 Simeon Earthquake rendered the Atascadero City Administration Building red-tagged, it reopened in August 2013. Until the building’s closure, the Atascadero Historical Society operated the museum in the lower rotunda. After the earthquake, the Historical Society opened a museum in its Colony House across the street from Atascadero City Hall. When the City Administration Building reopened as  the historical city hall, the lower rotunda was turned into the main reception/lobby with city history, centered on the Colonial period, peppered throughout the building.

The Historical Society staffs the reception area Monday through Thursday, noon to 2 p.m. with tours available. Private tours may be arranged Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., excluding holidays or when tours may interfere with city business.

“We take as long as it takes to do a thorough tour,” Docent Supervisor Brenda Nicovich said. “We can accommodate any number of guests; usually we tour groups of eight to ten.” The tours include quite a bit of walking and stair climbing, however, Nicovich said all areas are wheelchair accessible.

The society also gives tours through the Colony Museum and the rose garden next door; elementary school classes are given tours through Tent City the Friday before Colony Days, which is always the third Saturday of October.

To schedule a tour or for more information email atascaderocolonymuseum@gmail.com or go to www.atascaderohistoricalsociety.org for calendar and tour schedule.
–Heather Young