Our core values are reflected in our archives, exhibits, educational programs, and partnerships.
In these times, family and friends are more important than ever. For over a century, the Moulton family has been gathering, working their cattle and building community just like they used to do on the Moulton Ranch during the ranching period of Orange County. At Moulton Museum we hope to tell the stories and share the traditions that bring us all together, connect us to our past and keep our community spirit alive into the future. Enjoy the video from our latest round-up held in Maxwell, CA earlier this year.
Watch our 10 minute film about this historic event.
The Moulton Ranch was established by Lewis Fenno Moulton. He was a twenty year old Bostonian who learned to run a ranching operation by working at Rancho San Joaquin starting in 1874.
According to Louise Moulton Hanson, “In 1881 he bought Jonathan Bacon’s band of sheep and rented his 1,600 acres.” Lewis F. Moulton and Company was established with Jean Pierre Daguerre, a Basque sheepherder, in 1874.
On April 29, 1884 Lewis leased “17,000 acres, from Cyrus Rawson” (2018.43) which was a part of Rancho Niguel, a Mexican land grant once owned by Juan Avila. Throughout the years, Lewis purchased 21,723 acres which became the Moulton Ranch.
Today, the land comprises much of Laguna Niguel, Laguna Woods, Laguna Hills, Laguna Beach, Dana Point, and Aliso Viejo. We aim to work with these cities to provide them with their heritage and preserve the past. Together we can educate the communities by exhibiting their history at the Moulton Museum.
Before Orange County annexed from the Los Angeles county in August 1889, families resided here and developed a rich ecosystem of agriculture and commerce. Lewis F. Moulton arrived in 1874 at twenty years old.
The family was established in 1908 when Lewis married Nellie. The had two daughters, Charlotte and Louise. Charlotte married Glenn and had three children. These are the decendants of these pioneers.
The museum's vast collection of personal papers, maps, photographs, slides, fine art, household furniture, home decor, to ranch equipment showcase daily life during the 19th and 20th century.
Our community partnerships continue to expand our collections and interpretive plan. We hope to move into a larger facility to serve a larger audience and influence our interpretive plan.
415 Avenida Granada
San Clemente, CA 92672
Who was Nellie Gail Moulton? Pioneer, Artist and so much more.
March 2020
Laguna Hills, CA
The Moulton Ranch Center (formerly the Cabot Town Center) has a fantastic new addition with these murals that capture the spirit of the Moulton Ranch!
March 2020 in Maxwell, CA
An annual tradition since Moulton Ranch days, the Moulton family gathers annually to brand the cattle and retain is ranching heritage at their California properties.
29851 Highlands Ave, Laguna Niguel, CA 92677
The Moulton Co. and Moulton Museum support the arts. This Moulton Ranch Mural was created by Walter Viszolay in 2015. It was part of an exhibit on the Moulton family.
Laguna Beach, CA
As a founder of LCAD, Nellie Gail Moulton’s legacy continues to sustain its operation. Learn more on the LCAD site about this opportunity to contribute.
24035 El Toro Road | Laguna Hills, CA 92653
Terra Cotta Busts – 6 life-sized terra cotta busts in the lobby
Nellie Gail Display Case – A history of the life of Nellie Gail in the lobby
606 Laguna Canyon Rd, Laguna Beach, CA 92651
Jared Mathis is serving as the chairman of the board for the centennial celebration. The Laguna Playhouse announces its 100th Anniversary Season! The gala will be taking place in October 2020 with a formal invitation to follow.
California Rangeland Trust will gather on April 23rd & 24th, 2021 at Rancho Mission Viejo to celebrate our ranching roots and the pivotal role ranching continues to play in the growth of healthy communities.
24391 Avenida De La Carlota #100, Laguna Hills, CA 92653
This historic timeline was created by Shea Homes as a Public Art Installation. The street Avenida de la Carlota was aptly named for Charlotte Moulton Mathis, the daughter of Lewis and Nellie Gail Moulton.
100 Park Avenue, Aliso Viejo, CA 92656
The multi-disciplinary Aliso Viejo Ranch project is set to open 2020. It preserves and restores historically significant buildings, artifacts and farming implements from the 1800s and highlights the importance of the agricultural past of Orange County, the state of California and Western United States while demonstrating the future of sustainable agriculture and aquaponics.
Visitors check out one of the historical displays in the New Barn following the grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony at the Aliso Viejo Ranch
We hope you enjoy the “Holidays on the Homestead” article by Carolyn Smuts for Wrangler Living in Rancho Mission Viejo.
Nellie Gail Moulton was born on December 8, 1878 in Irving, Kansas to John Lockwood Gail (1848–1926) and Prudence Adelia Stoneman Gail (1853–1894). Nellie Maud
“To Protect, Diversify and Grow Moulton Family Assets”
“To Provide the Family the Freedom to Pursue Its Passions while Building the Moulton Legacy”
The Moulton Company is a family owned and operated private equity asset management company based in Irvine, CA. Formed in 2007, The Moulton Company manages residential, commercial retail and industrial properties nationwide with most holdings located in Southern California. Some of the portfolio properties have been held in the Moulton family for over 100 years. The Moulton Ranch, predecessor to The Moulton Company, was a sheep and cattle ranch that stretched from present day Lake Forest to Dana Point and encompassed approximately 22,000 acres.
The CEO of MMB Management is Jared Mathis and the CFO is Scott T. Barnes, both great-grandsons of Lewis and Nellie Gail Moulton, founders of the Moulton Ranch. With a foundation built on agriculture starting in the 1890’s, the Moulton family is still actively farming and ranching throughout California and Oregon. Also, in the tradition of Nellie Gail Moulton, the Moulton Company supports the local community primarily though involvement with The Laguna College of Art and Design (LCAD), the Laguna Playhouse/Moulton Theatre and as a member of the Dana Point Chamber of Commerce.
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949-257-2505
info@moultonmuseum.org
The Moulton Museum, a 501c3 non-profit works to keep the history of Orange County and its ranching era alive. We archive, restore, and exhibit Orange County historical artifacts.
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