Changes are coming to the west side of the Costa Mesa Historical Society building. In the middle of February, the west yard was stripped of its trees and turf to make way for a stormwater reservoir and parking lot in connection with the new public library and community center projects at Lions Park. Although we are sorry to see the trees go, the society still has eleven mature trees on its east and north sides. Another “benefit”…
Your historical society held its annual Installation Dinner on January 26. Attended by nearly sixty society members and friends, the evening event was held at a new venue — the famous Newport Rib Company. After President Dave Gardner’s welcome, attendees enjoyed a buffet dinner which included BBQ tri-tip and chicken. Following the meal, speaker David Whiting took the audience on a “Race for the Wall,” a heart-warming tour of Vietnam vets riding motorcycles from Rancho Cucamonga, California,…
February 18, 2018, 1-4 p.m. Join the Costa Mesa Historical Society February 18th for its second annual Bring a Friend event. This free event is being held at the Costa Mesa Historical building at 1870 Anaheim Avenue, Costa Mesa in Lions Park near the Donald Dungan Library. Last year’s offering was well-received and considered a great success. On sale will be rare local history books and other printed materials, framed historical pictures, vintage clothing, and dozens of…
The Costa Mesa Sanitary District (CMSD) recently commended the historical society for 50+ years of preserving and promoting local history. At their December 12, 2017 board meeting, the CMSD Directors presented a proclamation to historical society representatives Art and Mary Ellen Goddard. In part, the proclamation noted the society’s years of voluntary community service, our museums and research capabilities, and our partnership with the Sanitary District for wrapping the District’s utility boxes with historical images. Thank you,…
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…
Please join us January 26 at 6 p.m. at our new location, Newport Rib Company for the society’s annual installation dinner. This year’s speaker is David Whiting, an award-winning Metro columnist from the OC Register. In his talk, ”Faith and Hope: Our American Land,” “we will travel across this great country and visit the towns where volunteering still matters. We will meet people who make a difference and we will do it on motorcycles with thousands of…
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.