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Etched granite exhibit showcasing works of art from the Italian Renaissance at the History of Humanity in Granite in Yuma, Arizona

Journey Through The History of Humanity

Plan Your Visit

Where History Meets Art

Remembrance

Welcome to the only museum on the planet dedicated to engraving human history in stone.

Experience 20 monuments, 700+ professionally-engraved panels, and over 1,000 illustrations hand-etched in granite. Each granite panel of lucid yet scholarly text is designed to last for millennia, making the History of Humanity in Granite one book that may survive the test of time.

Arrive Intrigued, Leave Inspired.

Admission Information

AGE ADMISSION
Adult $10
Children (5-12) $5
Children Under 5 FREE

Open daily from 7 am to 7 pm

Note, we operate by MST not PST/PDT

Getting Here - Directions

Take Interstate 8 to exit 164 then north frontage road which is Center of the World Drive, to Center of the World Plaza. Select the address below for map directions.

Museum of History in Granite • 1 Center of the World Dr • Felicity, CA 92283

Connect with us!

Exhibits

Art & History Brought to Life

Undertaking a lofty endeavor, such as engraving our collective memory in granite, can lead to other concepts. You may view some in 3D on the museum grounds.

Learn More

Aerial of the History of Humanity in Granite Red Missouri Granite monuments, the pyramid at the Center of the World, the United States Postal Office of Felicity, California, and the museum shop

History of Humanity Monuments

Walk among triumphs and tragedies.

Winding paths of the Maze of Honor surrounded by a white metal fence in the desert near Yuma, Arizona

Maze Of Honor®

The ultimate Who's Who! Preserve your own memories in stone.

Center of the World pyramid constructed of granite and glass with two large wooden doors in Felicity, CA

Official Center of the World™

Where it all began. Receive a certificate (Thanksgiving to April 30).

Rusted spiral stairs which were a section of the original stairway of the Eiffel Tower

Eiffel Tower Stairs

View the 25 ft, 6,600 lb section of the original stairway of the Eiffel Tower.
3D bronze sculptural representation of Michelangelo's Arm of God emerging from stone points to the Church on the Hill

Sundial at Felicity

A 3D bronze of Michelangelo's Arm of God points to the Church on the Hill.
Group of people walking down the entry way steps of the white church on the hill in Felicity California

Church on the Hill

Inspired by a French chapel and, by design, built on the highest point in Felicity.

Children walking in a line between a replica of the Liberty Bell and the History of Humanity in Granite panel depicting the History of the United States of America as onlookers take pohtos

Half-scale Liberty Bell

A half-scale replica - first rung by representatives from the 13 original colonies!
White stone building with sienna colored roof which serves as the United States Post Office of Felicity California

Felicity Post Office

On opening day, over 2,300 letters were mailed from this federal post office!

An Epic Journey Through Time

Enabling Literacy For Millennia

In preserving and summarizing vast events of human history, for people of today and distant descendants, the Museum of History in Granite aims to encourage further research and knowledge.

Etching on granite tile showing the Great Sphinx of Giza at the History of Humanity in Granite near Yuma, Arizona

Pyramids & Temples

Ancient Civilization

Roman Coliseum engraved on granite tile at History of Humanity in Granite

Rise & Fall

The Roman Empire

Etching on granite tile of American pioneers migrating west at museum of history in granite

God Enriches (State Motto)

History of Arizona

Early aircraft in flight above a runway etched on granite tile at History of Humanity in Granite

Quest For The Sky

History of Aviation

Golden Gate Bridge in California etching on granite tile at History of Humanity in Granite

Eureka

History of California

Egyptian hieroglyphs engraved on granite tile at museum of history in granite

Language Decoded

The Felicity Stone

Etching on granite tile of a male lion at the History of Humanity in Granite near Yuma, Arizona

Great & Small

Animals of the World

Three views of planet earth showcasing six of the world's continents etched into granite tile at History of Humanity in Granite

The Seven Continents

Planet Earth

Etching of large sailing vessel traveling the ocean on granite tile at unique museum History of Humanity in Granite

The Five Oceans

Oceans of the World

Two men in colonial attire onlooking as a third man signs the US declaration of independence engraved onto a tile at the History of Humanity in Granite

Legacy for the Ages

History of the US

Galaxy etching on granite tile at museum of history in granite near Yuma Arizona

The Milky Way

Our Galaxy

Buddha statue with eyes closed and hands clasped etched into granite tile at museum of history in granite

Doctrine & Philosophy

World Religions

Jacques Istel, an elderly man in orange baseball cap and button up blue shirt, reviews documents with female artist wearing a green baseball cap and blue zebra striped tank top at the History of Humanity in Granite

How the Sonoran Desert Hosted a Museum for the Ages

Only one who has lived an unusual life could transform a “bare landscape” into a magnificent and enriching destination. Meet Jacques André Istel, and learn what caused him to create a noble concept, the History of Humanity in Granite.

Our History

As Featured In

…created an amazing site…

Janet Napolitano — President, University of California

…engravings are wonderful

Justice Sandra Day O’Connor

C’est Pharaonique / Worthy of the Pharaohs

Pierre Messme — French Prime Minister

…vividly captures both the magnitude of your undertaking and the painstaking detail of the granite engravings that record the ebb and flow of human civilization. Yours is certainly not a project for the faint of heart!

Shirley M. Tilghman — President, Princeton University

Fine Art Replicated in Granite

Beautifully etched by hand, and right here. Works of fine art are typically in remote locations.

Artist engraving a granite panel beneath a tarp covering at dusk with the hill of prayer and church on the hill Felicity in the background

Preserving History In Stone

How The Museum Turns Humanity's Story Into Stone

The engraving and the etching of human history in granite are two monumental tasks, each requiring professionals of the highest caliber. We are grateful for the longstanding commitment of justly famed engraver Ron Clamp and his associates. For etchings, we thank Lead Artist Shelly Evans together with earlier Gene Britton, all from Elberton, GA, known as the Granite Capital of the World; and from distant France Herve and Louis Saliou.

The Creation of a Panel

How Will You Make History?

Tell The World You Were Here

Close up view of the winding paths of the Maze of Honor at the History of Humanity in Granite museum in Yuma, Arizona

Maze of Honor®

Leave a legacy! Preserve your own cherished memories in stone.

White church with blue doors and single round stained window atop the hill of prayer with History of Humanity in Granite exhibits in the foreground

Exchange Vows

Exchange or renew your vows at the beautiful Church on the Hill.

Smiling children wearing dress clothes sit in front of the center of the world pyramid eating cake

Plan A Field Trip

Curricular expeditions that make a lasting impression on students.

Crowd of visitors enjoying the History of Humanity in Granite a tourist attraction. near Yuma, AZ

Visit the Gift Shop

Looking for the ultimate conversation starter? Check out our shop!

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