Preserving South Orange County’s Heritage Together
Since 1973, the Saddleback Area Historical Society has made significant accomplishments, including, but not limited to, saving historic buildings in El Toro, moving them to Heritage Hill, and conducting oral histories of Moulton Family members before the Moulton Museum existed.
Moulton family members have respected and admired the work of SAHS for decades, ultimately drawing inspiration from the group when working to create a museum honoring the pioneer spirit.
When the Moulton Museum opened in 2022, the Saddleback Area Historical Society’s members were invited to participate in the opening festivities. Shortly thereafter, conversations began about how the two organizations could develop a partnership.
Initially, this collaboration took the form of the Saddleback Area Historical Society inviting Moulton Museum representatives to attend events like the Swallows Day Parade and their annual tea party.
Now, after officially joining forces in March of this year, artifacts from the Saddleback Area Historical Society collection can be digitized and will be made available on the Moulton Museum website. These artifacts will see new life by being displayed in the museum and available to researchers interested in learning more about local history.
“This partnership will ensure that the Saddleback Area Historical Society’s 50-year legacy remains strong for the next 50 years,” said Moulton Museum Executive Director Elisabeth Lange. “Because this is a partnership between a well-connected and knowledgeable established institution and an energetic and well-resourced new institution. This ensures Orange County’s heritage will be preserved for future generations.”
Orange County’s history has been preserved primarily in Santa Ana and Anaheim. However, the SAHS and MM’s association presents the opportunity to create a center of historic sharing in South Orange County, making resources more readily available.
In collaboration with Moulton Museum, SAHS will now be able to better preserve documents, photographs, artifacts, and other ephemera related to the history of Saddleback Valley and South Orange County.
Together, the groups aim to increase the museum’s volunteer participation in conducting oral histories and, most importantly, raising public awareness of the area’s rich local history.
With this partnership, Moulton Museum takes another step toward establishing itself as an integral part of the historical community. SAHS and its members are now more essential than ever to MM’s legitimacy as a trustworthy institution with long-term plans to enrich the area through art and historical preservation.
Written by: Jacquelyn Sharga
