24 by Iris Engstrand, Professor of History, Univer- sity of San Diego, Chief Curator, Serra Museum The Serra Museum, founded in 1928, sits above the site of the Presidio where a contingent of soldiers arrived in 1769 to accompany Father Serra in the establish- ment of the first mission in Alta or Upper California. Although sent by the Spanish government, the presidio. soldiers were a mixture of Spanish, Indian, and African ancestry who represent the diversity of San Diego’ first peoples. The presidio soldiers were the first families to settle in the river. The former bookstore has been trans- formed showing the flow of the San Diego River with a digital exhibit and a video. On the exterior northeast terrace, the San Diego River view exhibit, chronicles the changes over the centuries of both the river and the city that has grown up around it. A former trail to the Presidio grounds will be re-established to show the relationship of the two areas. The original Kumeyaay/ La Playa Trail will also connect to the Cabrillo Monument. The History Center is using modern day technology to open a window into the past through a virtual reality recreation of the Presidio as it existed in the year 1790. This exhibit is based upon four archeological digs done by San Diego State University, Mesa College, and independent archeologists. A number of participants in the excavations have served as advisors on the virtual reality project. Preserving Presidio Hill the site of the First Settlement Pueblo of San Diego or what has become known as Old Town San Diego. Their descendants still participate in yearly reunions today. The San Diego History Center, in collabo- ration with the San Diego River Conser- vancy and State Coastal Conservancy, has added two new exhibits at the historic Serra Museum that highlight the native Kumey- aay life in the region and the arrival of the Spaniards in 1769. In addition, the exhibits tell the story of the establishment of con- temporary San Diego around its namesake Serra Museum at its founding. STAGECOACH were played 100 years ago. FREE activities for adults and children of all ages. The park is located on San Diego Avenue and Twiggs Street in San Diego, and is conveniently located next to the Old Town Transit Center, with Coaster, Trolley, and MTS bus service. It’s been over a century since the last stage line operated in San Diego. Begin- ning in 1857, stage lines passed through rural San Diego moving passengers, freight, and mail. These new services helped bring the outside world a little closer to this emerging frontier commu- nity that we know today as San Diego. Come join us, four Saturdays in July and August, as we celebrate travel and trans- portation in the era of real horsepower, before the train and automobile. Imagine yourself traveling down dusty dirt roads either by horse, wagon, or stagecoach making your way to San Diego in the 1860s. Enjoy an afternoon filled with activities that reflect life in early San Diego and celebrate the West on the move. Through vignettes, demonstrations, living history activities, stories, and songs, visi- tors will gain an appreciation for early modes of transportation and daily life. View the permanent collection of historic wagons on display at Seeley Stable muse- um. Smell the aroma of food cooking over an open flame as costumed interpreters prepare chuck wagon grub of the 1800s. Hear the sounds of blacksmiths pounding iron and carpenters sawing wood. Enjoy games for both children and adults that Days