This review was sponsored by Tim from MoxieLifestyle. He is currently traveling in Panama and part of South-East Asia.. His blog documents his experiences and thoughts, and often features video blogs and other attractions.

On friday, I had the privilege of visiting the Gaslamp Historical Foundation Museum, which also happens to be the old house of William Heath Davis. The house the museum is located within, is said to be the first house ever built in San Diego.

I must admit, when I saw the size of the house, I figured it was a bit of a sham. “How could they charge me $4 to walk around a house that size?” I thought.

As I started up the stairs into the “old” part of the house, however, the atmosphere around me completely changed:

As the house was built in the 1800’s, it is fair to say it has developed a “lived in” quality. The energy, and even scents of the past residents are still poignant in the air. The emmersive style of the exhibits within the house (which include original items from the owners, complete with drugs for treating sickness, a full vintage cutlery set, an “old style” toilet, and more) create a convincing and engaging time-capsule, porting you back to the time it was used and lived in.

The deep richness of the wooden flooring and furniture in the old house create a flavor of grandeur which is lacking in today’s homes. It features over ten rooms in total, each with its own set of furniture and props.

For those who have visited Victorian-style museum building-restoration projects in the past, the items may not be anything new. What may be interesting to the visitor, in this case, is the information provided about the Gaslamp Quarter.

As this is a small museum, I won’t write much more, in fear of creating a lack of interest in the museum by taking out the mystery of what’s inside. I will mention my favorite piece, which is actually located in the courtyard just outside the historical building:

“Bum” the official San Diego Dog
In the courtyard of the Gaslamp Historical Foundation Museum, is a bronze statue of a dog. A placard rests beside the statue which tells the story of “Bum” the official San Diego dog.

Throughout the story, you learn of the trecherous tale of a fight with another dog. In this fight, he lost a foreleg and part of his tail, but he kept on trucking.

It says “He belonged to everyone, and no one. He was so beloved by the town, that when he died, the children collected pennies to pay for a proper funeral.”

I really liked this story. It serves as yet another reason why, if in the neighborhood, checking out the Gaslamp Historical Foundation Museum is very worth your while.