Arts & culture

History museums in Orange County

4 independent history museums in Orange County, with addresses, contact details and photos where the business provides them.

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History museum

Laguna Woods History Center

History museum · 24266 Calle Aragon

The Laguna Woods History Center is a California domestic nonprofit corporation that was founded in 1977 as the Leisure World Historical Society of Laguna Hills. It is the official repository for community archives and is committed to collecting, conserving, and conveying the local history of Laguna Woods Village, the City of Laguna Woods, and surrounding areas in Orange County. The center is located at 24266 Calle Aragon, Laguna Woods, CA, next to the Village Library and across the parking lot from Clubhouse One. It is a purpose-designed building that was completed in 1997 from restrictive donations. The Laguna Woods History Center receives no portion of homeowners’ fees, so its operation depends entirely on donations from concerned citizens and Contributing Partners. As a public archive, it is open to visitors from Monday to Friday, and it can also be visited by appointment. The center has a variety of exhibits and resources, including written histories, photographs, and videos. It also has a number of projects, such as the LW Oral History Project and the LW Veteran Stories. The center is governed by an all-volunteer Board of Trustees, which is elected by a majority vote of the Board for three-year terms.

History museum

Brea Museum & Historical Society

History museum · 495 S Brea Blvd

The Brea Museum & Historical Society is located in historic City Hall Park at Brea Boulevard and Elm Street. The Museum offers free admission and has parking available behind the building. The Museum is open on specific days of the week and also offers private tours upon request. Visitors can explore the Museum's collections, which provide a glimpse into Brea's past. One of the exhibits at the Museum is 'Well Behaved Women: Brea's Remarkable Women Making History', which highlights the lives and contributions of notable women in Brea. The exhibit includes a gallery where visitors can read more about each woman using a QR code. The Museum is situated on the corner of Elm and Brea Blvd in City Hall Park, and visitors can find a map of the Museum on the website. The Brea Museum & Historical Society welcomes volunteers to help with its preservation efforts and can be contacted by phone or email for more information.

History museum

Costa Mesa Historical Society

History museum · 1870 Anaheim Ave

The Costa Mesa Historical Society is a non-profit organization that aims to promote and preserve the history of Costa Mesa. The society was formed in 1966 as a support group for the newly restored Diego Sepulveda Adobe. The society has a collection of 70,000 items, including historical photographs, books, maps, and personal papers. These items are available for researchers, local organizations, and individuals interested in learning about the history of Costa Mesa. The Costa Mesa Historical Society has two museums, one located at 1870 Anaheim Avenue and the other at the Diego Sepulveda Adobe. The society also offers free monthly events, including talks on historical topics. Additionally, the society has a gift shop where visitors can purchase books, memorabilia, and other items related to the history of Costa Mesa. The society is an all-volunteer group and relies on the support of its members and volunteers to carry out its activities. Members can participate in various ways, including attending board meetings, helping with events, and assisting with the preservation of historical items. The society also collaborates with local government and other groups to produce historical books and pamphlets.

History museum

Vietnamese Heritage Museum

History museum · 13962 Seaboard Cir

The Vietnamese Heritage Museum is a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving and exhibiting the heritage of Vietnamese refugees. The museum collects and shares testimonies and artifacts that tell the stories of Vietnamese refugees. The museum's mission is to educate, inform, and share the Vietnamese heritage with the public. Its vision is to make its collections accessible throughout the world through the internet, traveling exhibits, and museum displays. The museum has a collection of artifacts, including items from before 1975, between 1975 and 1990, and from 1990 to the present. It also has an oral history collection, which includes interviews with notable Vietnamese-Americans, survivors of 're-education' camps, and boat people survivors. The museum is located in Santa Ana, California, and can be contacted by phone or email. It has a website and social media presence, and offers ways for people to get involved, including volunteering and donating. The museum's story began with the personal experience of a refugee who escaped from Vietnam by boat and later settled in the United States. This person was inspired by visits to other museums, including the Jewish Holocaust museums, and wanted to create a similar institution to preserve the history and heritage of the Vietnamese nation.

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