Seaside’s City Hall is the epicenter of its history.

In size and scope it looks like an addendum in Monterey History Fest’s shadow, but it’s worth its own weight in local historical significance.

Like Monterey, the city of Seaside is celebrating its history this weekend, 1-4pm Sunday, and it’s well worth checking out. Instead of the multitudes of Monterey’s walking-fest locales, it’s in one location: Avery Gallery in Seaside’s City Hall. A collaboration of the Seaside Art & History Commission and city staff, and a celebration of the city’s 59th year of incorporation, Thanks for the Memories: A People’s History of Seaside hones in on the social and political life of the city in photos, newspaper clippings, memorials, schematics, sculpture, books, film, memorabilia, artifacts and art, with one part devoted to Fort Ord.

Much of the material comes from private loans and the collection of the late Rose Manestar, archived by the Seaside History Project. The pieces are hung and displayed with ambition. But maybe the most community-oriented part happens in the Council Chamber.

“There will be films on the big screen,” says Nancy Towne, the city’s recreation services manager and staff liaison to the Art & History Commission. “They’ll be on loop. One is of 1960s redevelopment of Seaside, there’s the Fort Ord closure ceremony, a couple from the Fort Ord Alumni Association, and film of specific events like the 2002 Winter Olympic Torch relay.” These films run anywhere from 30-90 minutes, so the chambers will be lit up all day with the sights of historic Seaside. But in the conference room, the same films will be viewable on demand.

People who’ve been instrumental in Seaside’s evolution, including Nancy Ames, Linda Yamane and Charlie McKnight, are invited to speak and sign a “scroll of honor.”

How about longtime (and nonstop) activist Helen Rucker? “Of course. Definitely Helen Rucker,” Towne says.

The conjoined birthday celebration and history exhibition is happening for the first time here, Towne says, because in recent years the city budget didn’t have the money for it. The city is still trying to get its history archive building realized; its artifacts now are in storage at the Oldemeyer Center.

A People’s History of Seaside, which sounds like an homage to Howard Zinn’s monumental U.S. history book that focused on workers, activists, the fringe and the oppressed, will be at Avery Gallery for the month of October, itself an homage to those who most vigorously believed in their vision for Seaside.

SEASIDE’S 59TH BIRTHDAY AND HISTORY EXHIBIT happens 1-4pm Sun, at Avery Gallery and Council Chambers, Seaside City Hall, 444 Harcourt Ave., Seaside. Free. 899-6801.