The Villa Montezuma

House Museum

This High Victorian symbol of boomtown San Diego, built in 1887 by the mysterious musician and spiritualist Jesse Shepard (later known as author Francis Grierson), is on the National Register of Historic Places.


This magnificent museum, built on the crest of what is now the Sherman Heights Historic District, with its views of the bay and downtown San Diego, needs a new foundation. The western wall, with its original brick, is failing.


To further assist the City of San Diego with the needs of this important architectural and cultural gem, the Friends of the Villa Montezuma incorporated as a 501c3 nonprofit public benefit corporation in 2006. You can help by becoming a Friend of the Villa Montezuma, Inc., or by making a donation.

 

The Villa Montezuma is a beautiful Queen Anne Victorian house museum located in the Sherman Heights Historic District just off the 5 freeway, near downtown San Diego, California. On the National Register of Historic Places, the Villa Montezuma, aka Jesse Shepard house, was built in 1887 by master builders Comstock and Trotsche.

Favorite Photo Albums


Magnificent

Villa Montezuma Photos


Valentine Tea Party 2009


Dia de los Muertos -

Day of the Dead at the Villa




Membership

Become a partner in the preservation & restoration of the Villa Montezuma by sending your donation today.

  1. ✤    Individual $25

  2. ✤    Professional $50

  3. ✤    Supporting $100

  4. ✤    Patron $250

  5. ✤    Benefactor $500

The Friends of the Villa Montezuma, Inc., is a 501c3 nonprofit public benefit corporation. Donations are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law.

Become a Friends member and get the membership benefits now!   
To download a membership brochure click here.


Programs

TOURS of Sherman Heights Historic District the 1st and 3rd Sunday,

1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.


SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS

with multi-media presentations at

local venues.


ORAL HISTORY PROJECT recording the history of the Villa Montezuma, Jesse Shepard/
Francis Grierson and Lawrence Tonner.


SCRAPBOOK collecting ephemera, letters, photos & stories of people who have enjoyed the Villa Montezuma.

 

Friends of the Villa Montezuma, Inc. © 2006 - 2009

The Friends of the Villa Montezuma, Inc.

Incorporated as a 501c3 nonprofit organization in 2006, the mission of the Friends of the Villa Montezuma, Inc., is to:

  1. ✤ Raise funds for the preservation and operation of Villa;

  2. ✤ Enhance public education about this architectural and cultural resource;

  3. ✤ Promote the Villa through related educational and historical activities; and to

  4. ✤ Operate the Villa in compliance with the American Association of Museum standards.


Contact Information

Mailing Address:

657 20th Street

San Diego CA 92102


Message Line: 619-255-9367


Email Us: Click here


Website: www.VillaMontezuma.org


Museum Location: 1925 K Street San Diego

currently closed for restoration

The Friends of the Villa Montezuma, Inc. is a proud member of the

American Association of Museums and the

Victorian Society in America

Comments on ~ Villa Montezuma ~ lease transition PDFHome_files/FOVM_SDHS_EndLease_2_12_09.pdf
Union Tribune Article High Cost of History lease transition Linkhttp://www3.signonsandiego.com/stories/2009/feb/12/1n12historic233822-high-cost-history/

Latest NEWS

CCDC votes to help with Villa Restoration

For over four years the FOVM has been working with City and CCDC staff on funding options for our beautiful Villa. We are pleased to report that the CCDC's Board of Directors voted on October 21, 2009, to help restore one of San Diego's masterpieces by contributing $550,000 for the Villa foundation stabilization. To read the Union Tribune Article; Click Here.

Jesse Shepard came to San Diego CA after touring the royal courts of Europe during his career as a musician.  In San Diego he built the magnificent Villa Montezuma and started a new career as an author under the pen name Francis Grierson.

The Life and Death of Francis Grierson :: by Charles Spratley La Prensa San Diego linkhttp://laprensa-sandiego.org/etc-etc-etc/entertainment/the-life-and-death-of-francis-grierson/http://laprensa-sandiego.org/etc-etc-etc/entertainment/the-life-and-death-of-francis-grierson/http://laprensa-sandiego.org/etc-etc-etc/entertainment/the-life-and-death-of-francis-grierson/http://laprensa-sandiego.org/etc-etc-etc/entertainment/the-life-and-death-of-francis-grierson/Home_files/Villa_2008_Year%E2%80%A6eview_web_2.pdfshapeimage_13_link_0shapeimage_13_link_1shapeimage_13_link_2shapeimage_13_link_3
15th Annual “Día de Los Muertos” (the Day of the Dead)  During the weekend of October 31, 2009, the FOVM celebrated the 15th Annual Dia de los Muertos in the Sherman Heights Historic District with an ofrenda to Jesse Shepard/Francis Grierson, designed this year by former Villa docent and caretaker Shep Wickham. For more info, click here. Events/Entries/2009/10/31_Dia_De_Los_Muertos_2009.htmlEvents/Entries/2009/10/31_Dia_De_Los_Muertos_2009.htmlEvents/Entries/2009/10/31_Dia_De_Los_Muertos_2009.htmlEvents/Entries/2009/10/31_Dia_De_Los_Muertos_2009.htmlEvents/Entries/2009/10/31_Dia_De_Los_Muertos_2009.htmlEvents/Entries/2009/10/31_Dia_De_Los_Muertos_2009.htmlEvents/Entries/2009/10/31_Dia_De_Los_Muertos_2009.htmlEvents/Entries/2009/10/31_Dia_De_Los_Muertos_2009.htmlEvents/Entries/2009/10/31_Dia_De_Los_Muertos_2009.htmlEvents/Entries/2009/10/31_Dia_De_Los_Muertos_2009.htmlEvents/Entries/2009/10/31_Dia_De_Los_Muertos_2009.htmlEvents/Entries/2009/10/31_Dia_De_Los_Muertos_2009.htmlshapeimage_14_link_0shapeimage_14_link_1shapeimage_14_link_2shapeimage_14_link_3shapeimage_14_link_4shapeimage_14_link_5shapeimage_14_link_6shapeimage_14_link_7shapeimage_14_link_8shapeimage_14_link_9
~ January 2009 ~ View From The Villa :: 2008 Year in Review PDFHome_files/Villa_2008_Year%E2%80%A6eview_web_2_1.pdf