VINTAGE MARKET SALE SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 30
Please plan to join us on Saturday, September 30th at the Museum located at 1870 Anaheim Avenue, Costa Mesa from 10 am until 2 pm.
January Event: The LAB and Other Unique Places created by Linda Sadeghi
The LAB stands for “Little American Business” and that’s exactly who Linda Sadeghi strives to support. The LAB began its journey to combat retail monotony in 1993 when it was recycled from a night-vision goggle factory located in Costa Mesa by The LAB Team, with Linda Sadeghi as the current steward.
As owner/operator/designer, Linda is celebrating The LAB’s 30 years as a successful retail, restaurant, art, and entertainment venue for the “young at heart”. At the core of her efforts is her mission to renovate historic buildings and repurpose them.
The Costa Mesa Historical Society is pleased to have her as guest speaker at our January 14th event. It will take place in the Adams Room at the Donald Dungan Library.
The event begins at 2 pm.
Light refreshments will be served.
Admission is free but R.S.V.P. is required. Please call (949) 631-5918 by January 10th.
U.S. Naval Academy Graduate Andrea Marr to Speak at our November 20th Event
After completing qualifications as a nuclear engineer, Andrea served aboard the U.S. Nimitz and led a division of 20 nuclear-trained machinist mates for two years. Join us to hear about her fascinating naval career and how her professional life has benefitted from Admiral Hyman Rickover’s (considered the Father of the Nuclear Navy) unique approach to leadership.
Reception is at 2:00 pm at the museum building, 1870 Anaheim Avenue, Costa Mesa. The program begins at 2:30 pm. Andrea will share her exciting and career-making journey. Space is limited so please RSVP by November 11th to cmhistory@sbcglobal.net.
Diego Sepulveda Adobe Reopening
The grand reopening of the Diego Sepulveda on October 1st also celebrated this historic structure’s 200th birthday. Mayor John Stephens and Orange County Supervisor Katrina Foley spoke a few words and each presented the Historical Society’s president Barbra Steck with framed certificates honoring the occasion.
Head Docent Cindy Humphreys gave special recognition to Jason Minter and Daniel Jojola of the City of Costa Mesa and Mark Sauer of Sauer Construction for their dedicated efforts in renovating the Adobe. Cultural Anthropologist Stephen O’Neil spoke on local history. Then guests were treated to refreshments provided by Grocery Outlet. There were several crafts for the children. The group Sweetwater Creek played some bluegrass to the delight of all.
Special guests for the day were Lynn and Vicki Alcala whose family were the last to live in the Adobe. They are the living history of Costa Mesa, and we were so pleased to have them join us.
OCC Planetarium Event
We have a very exciting event coming up on August 13th! We’ve connected with the Orange Coast College Planetarium to give our Historical Society members their very own exclusive showing.
The sky has been an object of fascination for as long as humans have walked the earth. The movements of the spheres are ingrained in every culture on earth and have created mythologies, superstitions, and legends many people still recognize. Today, we turn our scientific tools toward the heavens to get a new perspective of the universe and our place in it. Take a journey through time, from the most ancient astrologers, to the future of manned exploration of the solar system, and see how our view of the cosmos has grown and evolved.
Planetarium Director, Scott Mitchell, will open the program and guide us through the wonders of the sky above us.
Event Details:
Date: Saturday, August 13th
Time: 1:30 (please plan to arrive no later than this time, as no one will be allowed to enter after)
Where: Orange Coast College Planetarium (Parking is located in the E lot off of Merrimac Way)
You can purchase tickets here.
OR
You can call the Historical Society at (949) 631-5918 to reserve tickets. Please leave your name, phone number, and quantity of tickets you wish to reserve. You can pick up and pay for tickets at the Historical Society the Thursday or Friday before the event.
Fish Fry Coloring Contest Winners
For the 75th Annual Fish Fry, the Costa Mesa Historical Society hosted a children’s coloring contest to reach out and hopefully spark an interest in local history. We received over 100 entries!
While we had originally only planned on a single winner, we were blown away by the creativity and number of entries we received, so we decided to add a second and third place as well. Our three winners came by the Historical Society Museum today to pick up their prizes and to learn a bit about the city they call home.
Congrats to Abigail, Mira, and Scarlett!
1st Place
2nd Place
3rd Place
1st place winner Abigail with her family
2022 Fish Fry and Carnival
The 75th Annual Fish Fry is back at its original location in Lions Park! The Fish Fry will take place June 3 – 5. Admission is free. Fish dinners are $15, and tickets for carnival rides are currently on sale for a discounted price. Get your ride tickets here.
The Costa Mesa Historical Society will have a booth for all three days and we’ll be selling books, postcards, and other goods! We also have something fun planned for the young-ins, so be sure to stop by and say hello!
Community Bike Ride to Celebrate Women’s History Month
This Sunday March 27, Council Member Arlis Reynolds will be hosting a community bike ride to celebrate Women’s History Month. The 8-mile ride will highlight women-owned businesses throughout the city, and will start and finish at the Costa Mesa Historical Society!
For more information, please contact arlis.reynolds@costamesaca.gov
Fighting for the Right to Fight: African American Experiences in WWII
From the OC Fair & Event Center:
“On display Feb. 16 through Sept. 18, 2022
On Feb. 16, 2022, Heroes Hall Museum will open a new special exhibit called Fighting for the Right to Fight: African American Experiences in World War II. Produced by The National WWII Museum, the exhibit features artifacts, photographs and oral histories to highlight some of the extraordinary achievements and challenges of African Americans during World War II, both overseas and on the Home Front.
In the years before World War II, African Americans in many parts of the country were treated as second-class citizens. Discriminatory practices were condoned by the government, and African Americans were systematically denied many rights and liberties by laws that kept them in positions of inferiority. Due to the landmark Plessy v. Ferguson Supreme Court decision in 1896, the United States was a nation where “separate but equal” was law in many states. In addition, many military leaders declared African Americans unfit to serve in combat. However, once the war began, thousands rushed to enlist, determined to fight for freedom, while still being denied equality at home.
On display through September 18, 2022, Fighting for the Right to Fight illustrates how hopes for securing equality inspired many to enlist, the discouraging reality of the segregated non-combat roles given to black recruits, and the continuing fight for “Double Victory” that laid the groundwork for the modern Civil Rights Movement.
Opening Ceremony
Heroes Hall Museum will host an opening ceremony to commemorate the exhibit. The event will feature speakers, performances and kids activities.
When: Saturday, Feb. 19, 2022, at 11 a.m.
Where: Heroes Hall at the OC Fairgrounds in Costa Mesa
Cost: Free admission and parking. A complimentary light lunch will be provided to the first 200 people who RSVP. (We’re sorry, the lunch option has hit capacity but the public is still invited to join us for the event!)”