Business Details
45 Years
experience
Explore Orange County's Heritage at HMOC
Heritage Museum Of Orange County (HMOC) has been dedicated to preserving, promoting, and restoring Orange County's natural history, culture, and community since its founding in 1981. Our 12-acre campus in Santa Ana features historic buildings like the 1898 Kellogg House and 1899 Maag Farmhouse, offering immersive educational programs for over 40,000 annual visitors. We provide hands-on learning experiences through living history exhibits, environmental stewardship initiatives, and community events that connect diverse audiences with the region's heritage. Our team combines decades of expertise in historical preservation with modern educational methodologies to create engaging experiences for students, families, and event attendees.As a registered 501(c)3 nonprofit, we maintain strict adherence to professional standards in museum operations while fostering partnerships with local schools, cultural organizations, and preservation societies. Our commitment to accessibility and community engagement has made HMOC a trusted cultural institution that balances historical authenticity with contemporary educational needs.
Services
Historical Tours
Educational Programs
Venue Rentals
Virtual Exhibits
Community Events
Field Trips
Wedding Services
Film Locations
Museum Exhibits
Environmental Programs
Details
- Year established: 1981
Highlights and features
- We offer hands-on educational programs for all ages since 1981
- Our historic 12-acre campus includes the 1898 Kellogg House
- We host community events and weddings in a unique setting
- Our museum attracts over 40,000 annual visitors
- We provide virtual tours and digital resources
Services
Educational Field Trips
Our educational field trips provide immersive history experiences for grades 1-6. Students engage with Victorian-era life at the Kellogg House, explore California's Gold Rush, and learn traditional crafts. Programs align with California Content Standards and include hands-on activities like butter-making, gold panning, and quilt-making. Each 90-minute session combines guided tours with interactive learning stations that reinforce classroom curriculum while making history tangible and memorable for young learners.
Venue Rentals
Our historic 12-acre campus offers unique venues for weddings, corporate events, and film productions. The Kellogg House courtyard provides a Victorian-era backdrop while the Maag Farmhouse accommodates larger gatherings. Outdoor spaces include citrus groves and garden areas perfect for ceremonies or photo shoots. Our event coordinators help plan everything from intimate gatherings to large-scale productions, offering flexible space configurations and modern amenities within a historic setting.
Virtual Exhibits
Our virtual exhibits provide digital access to the Kellogg House and historical collections. The interactive 360-degree tour includes room-by-room exploration with historical context, videos, and educational activities. Schools can access the virtual program for three weeks with lesson plans aligned to state standards. This digital resource allows remote learning while maintaining engagement through multimedia elements and interactive features that replicate the physical museum experience.
Community Events
We host diverse community events including ghost tours, paranormal investigations, and cultural celebrations. Regularly scheduled open house days allow free public access to museum grounds and exhibits. Seasonal events like harvest festivals and holiday tours maintain historical authenticity while creating new community traditions. Our event calendar balances educational programming with entertainment value to engage both history enthusiasts and casual visitors.
Historical Preservation
Our preservation efforts maintain the Kellogg House, Maag Farmhouse, and other historic structures as living history resources. Conservation programs protect historical artifacts while restoration projects ensure building integrity. We document local history through archival collections and oral histories that support academic research and public education. These efforts create a tangible connection to Orange County's agricultural and cultural heritage for current and future generations.
People
Candace Chromy
Executive Director
Candace Chromy leads HMOC's strategic direction with over 20 years of nonprofit management experience. She oversees operations, development, and community engagement initiatives while maintaining strong relationships with educational institutions and cultural organizations.
Stefany Navarro
Museum Conservator
Stefany Navarro manages artifact preservation and historical collections. With specialized training in conservation, she ensures proper care of HMOC's extensive historical materials while developing educational programs that highlight the museum's archival resources.
Shandra Wilson
Marketing Director
Shandra Wilson directs HMOC's marketing and media relations. She develops digital content strategies and manages public relations to increase community awareness while coordinating filming and press activities for the museum.
Questions
What are HMOC's regular operating hours?
We're open select Sundays from 11am-3pm. Check our calendar for specific open house dates.
What educational programs do you offer?
We provide field trips for grades 1-6 with hands-on history experiences at the Kellogg House and through Gold Rush activities.
Can I host an event at HMOC?
Yes, our historic campus accommodates weddings, corporate events, and film productions with venue rentals available.
Are there virtual tour options available?
We offer a 360-degree virtual tour of the Kellogg House accessible online for three weeks with educational resources included.
How can I support the museum?
Support HMOC through donations, memberships, volunteering, or participating in our educational programs and community events.
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