Public Events

Read more about the article Evening Gala Celebrating 60 years of the Costa Mesa Historical Society – Sunday, August 30, 2026
Norma Hertzog Community Center - Costa Mesa, CA

Evening Gala Celebrating 60 years of the Costa Mesa Historical Society – Sunday, August 30, 2026

Join the Costa Mesa Historical Society for an elegant evening celebrating sixty years of preserving the history, architecture, stories, and cultural legacy of Costa Mesa. This special anniversary event will bring together community supporters and preservation advocates for an evening reflecting on the past while helping shape the future of the Society. The evening begins with a private open house at the Costa Mesa Historical Society Museum, followed by a reception and dinner at the Norma Hertzog…

Continue ReadingEvening Gala Celebrating 60 years of the Costa Mesa Historical Society – Sunday, August 30, 2026
Read more about the article An Afternoon at the Adobe – Celebrate the 60th Anniversary of the Costa Mesa Historical Society

An Afternoon at the Adobe – Celebrate the 60th Anniversary of the Costa Mesa Historical Society

Saturday, August 29, 2026 | 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM Diego Sepúlveda Adobe & Estancia Park 1900 Adams Avenue, Costa Mesa, California The Costa Mesa Historical Society invites the community to join us for a special afternoon celebrating the Society’s 60th Anniversary at one of Costa Mesa’s most treasured historic landmarks, the Diego Sepúlveda Adobe. “An Afternoon at the Adobe” will bring together local museums, historical organizations, preservation groups, community partners, and families for a free public…

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Read more about the article Support Costa Mesa History
CMHS 60 year anniversary celebration

Support Costa Mesa History

Sponsorship Opportunities  We are honored to invite you to support the Costa Mesa Historical Society’s 60th Anniversary Celebration, a special milestone event honoring six decades of preserving, protecting, and sharing the rich history of Costa Mesa, while honoring the Segerstrom Family. For 60 years, the Costa Mesa Historical Society has served as a meaningful connection between our city’s past, present, and future. Through our archives, photographs, oral histories, exhibits, educational programs, and community events, we work to…

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Read more about the article Segerstrom Center for the Arts Tour – 4.19.26
Segerstrom Center for the Arts Tour - 4.19.26

Segerstrom Center for the Arts Tour – 4.19.26

Sunday, April 19, 2026 | 2:00–4:00 pmMembers Only Event Join the Costa Mesa Historical Society for a special docent-led tour of the Segerstrom Center for the Arts, one of Orange County’s most celebrated cultural landmarks and a defining institution in Costa Mesa’s artistic legacy. Guided by knowledgeable Segerstrom Center docents, this exclusive behind-the-scenes experience offers rare insight into the history, architecture, and vision that shaped this world-class performing arts campus. Participants will gain a deeper appreciation for…

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Read more about the article H. Ernie Nishii, President, Historic Wintersburg Conservancy on Japanese American history in Orange County, California
Henry Ernie Nishii, President, Historic Wintersburg Conservancy

H. Ernie Nishii, President, Historic Wintersburg Conservancy on Japanese American history in Orange County, California

Fresh from a major statewide historic designation, the Costa Mesa Historical Society is honored to present H. Ernie Nishii, President of the Historic Wintersburg Conservancy, for a timely and important speakers program. On January 2, 2026, Historic Wintersburg was officially listed on the California Register of Historical Resources, recognizing it as one of the most significant surviving sites associated with Japanese American history in Orange County. This rare designation affirms decades of community advocacy and places Historic…

Continue ReadingH. Ernie Nishii, President, Historic Wintersburg Conservancy on Japanese American history in Orange County, California
Read more about the article Kick Off the Costa Mesa Historical Society’s 60th Anniversary!
Gustavo Arellano, author of Orange County: A People’s Guide

Kick Off the Costa Mesa Historical Society’s 60th Anniversary!

Speakers Program & 2026 Board Installation Sunday, January 11, 2026 – 2:00- 4:00PM Norma Hertzog Community Center, Costa Mesa Celebrate the start of a milestone year! The Costa Mesa Historical Society is turning 60, and there has never been a more exciting time to be a member of the one and only society that matters in Costa Mesa. Join us as we kick off this landmark anniversary with a special edition of our Speakers Program and the…

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Read more about the article Walking Tour with Council Member Arlis Reynolds – December 14
Segerstrom Center Walking Tour, Costa Mesa, California

Walking Tour with Council Member Arlis Reynolds – December 14

Experience the art and architecture of the Segerstrom Center for the Arts on a special outdoor walking tour led by two Center Docents from the Segerstrom Center for the Arts, alongside Council Member Arlis Reynolds. The Tour has been filled! If you want to be on Stand by List, please fill out the form! The tour begins on the south side of Segerstrom Center for the Arts Plaza overlooking the fountain, continues through the serene Noguchi Garden,…

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Read more about the article Costa Mesa Historical Society is proud to partner with the Newport Beach Film Festival 2025
Costa Mesa Historical Society is proud to partner with the Newport Beach Film Festival

Costa Mesa Historical Society is proud to partner with the Newport Beach Film Festival 2025

Exciting news! The Costa Mesa Historical Society is proud to partner with the Newport Beach Film Festival for its 26th Anniversary Celebration — happening October 16–23, 2025! Join us in supporting the inspiring film “Dickens of Christmas” Directed by Gillian McKercher — a heartwarming story of creativity, community, and the spirit of the season. Get Your Tickets: Tap the link in our bio to choose your day, date & theatre — and use code CMHS25 for a…

Continue ReadingCosta Mesa Historical Society is proud to partner with the Newport Beach Film Festival 2025
Read more about the article Join Us for the 3rd Annual Historical Costa Mesa Bike Tour with Council Member Arlis Reynolds!
Costa Mesa Bike Tour 2025 with Arlis Reynolds

Join Us for the 3rd Annual Historical Costa Mesa Bike Tour with Council Member Arlis Reynolds!

Experience Costa Mesa’s stories on two wheels! The Costa Mesa Historical Society is excited to host the 3rd Annual Historical Costa Mesa Bike Tour with Council Member Arlis Reynolds on Sunday, September 14, 2025. Meet at the Costa Mesa Historical Museum at 1:30 p.m., ride begins at 2:00 p.m., and we’ll return to the museum by 4:00 p.m. This is a free, family-friendly event that brings together community members of all ages to celebrate our city’s rich…

Continue ReadingJoin Us for the 3rd Annual Historical Costa Mesa Bike Tour with Council Member Arlis Reynolds!
Read more about the article Come Celebrate the 100 Year Anniversary of the Costa Mesa Fire Department with Captain Fred McDowell – 8.31.25
100 Year Anniversary of the Costa Mesa Fire Department - 8.31.25

Come Celebrate the 100 Year Anniversary of the Costa Mesa Fire Department with Captain Fred McDowell – 8.31.25

Captain Fred McDowell of the Costa Mesa Fire Department celebrates their100 years “Birthday Party". This event is FREE. There will be light refreshments served. CMFD 100 Year Anniversary Party 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM Sun, Aug 31, 2025 Norma Hertzog Community Center CMHS 100 Year "Birthday Party" RSVP Link About our speaker, Costa Mesa Fire Captain Fred McDowell - Fred McDowell is originally from Santa Ana, CA. He began playing the trumpet at age seven and participated…

Continue ReadingCome Celebrate the 100 Year Anniversary of the Costa Mesa Fire Department with Captain Fred McDowell – 8.31.25