As the bottom of our newsletter states: "Promoting and preserving Costa Mesa history is our mission" The whole purpose of preserving any history is to inform and educate future generations on things as they were at that point in time. This is accomplished through such things as photos, stories, records and materials. We welcome any one of those items to add to our collection to preserve. However, it is said that a picture is worth a thousand…
We have had a good year! When we were children, the saying was, “Will Christmas ever get here?” Now we say, “Is Christmas here already?” We had many good things happening in 2017. Our accomplishments include: Contributing SAAAB photo displays and volunteer hours for the grand opening of Heroes Hall at the Orange County Fair & Event Center in February. Hosting successful meetings which attracted new members to the society including January’s installation dinner with speaker Michele…
Our own Art Goddard addressed the city council at its April 16 meeting by presenting a short history of Costa Mesa. He posed this thought provoking question: will he and his wife, Mary Ellen, live to see the costa mesa freeway finished? After Art's presentation, he and Mary Ellen Goddard were presented the mayor's award for their decades of service in helping to preserve the city's history with the Costa Mesa Historical Society.
Our speaker on April 14, Brian Lochrie, discussed the Orange County stormwater program and how we individually can cut down on pollution.
Richard Parks talked about hot rods and preserving our history at the March 17 historical society program. Check out his essay on his visit to the society as well as the importance of preserving our history.
We had a full house to see our author/speaker Marcia Harris portray Fanny Bixby Spencer, an early Costa Mesan of great note. Marcia Harris has written a book on this amazing woman.
Michael McEnteggart described his experiences on the USS Iowa, first as an active duty sailor and now as a volunteer, at our installation dinner Friday night at Orange Coast College. His enthusiasm was palpable! Learn more at pacificbattleship.com.
The Costa Mesa Historical Society collaborated with Huell Howser on his California Gold video #10007 in 2008. Huell passed away in the early hours of Jan. 7, 2013 after a two-year bout with cancer. NBC and the LA Times have written obituaries on this gentleman and booster for California's history and its people.
A new sign was installed at Fairview Park's Orange County Model Engineers train ride December 15, 2012 by the Costa Mesa Historical Preservation Committee. Dave Gardner, a long time member of the committee, and long time board member/past president of the historical society, conceived it and his wife, Peggy, drew the illustration. The sign recognizes the indigenous peoples of Orange County. A narrative is on reverse of the sign.