Upcoming Event

Meet all the ghosts you’ve been dying to meet and learn about all the spooky folklore about Old Town Tustin.

  • Visit the Spookiest places in Tustin
  • Hunt Ghosts in Old Town
  • Hear about the Dark side of Tustin history
Upcoming Event

Night at the Museum: History of Tustin Builder William H. Bowman

William H. Bowman was one of the premier building contractors in Tustin and Santa Ana for over 50 years. In partnership with Samuel I. Preble for many years, Bowman built the first high school in Tustin, the Tustin Presbyterian Church, as well as numerous beautiful homes in Tustin, at least 10 of which still stand today.

Advertisement for Wm. Bowman, home builder
Upcoming Event

Join us May 18, 2024 at our next Old Town Tustin Home & Garden Tour

Enderle Center has joined the society in becoming the Jubilee Sponsor of our 2024 Home & Garden Tour! Contact us for more info.

Save that Date!

The Tustin Area Historical Society will host our popular Old Town Tustin Home and Garden Tour Saturday, May 18th, 2024. Our tour is always such a wonderful celebration of Old Town – the homes, the gardens, the people, the history, and the businesses. Sign up now for early email-information on the tour and advanced, discounted tickets.

Some of the many beautiful flowers at the Old Town Tustin Home & Garden Tour, 2019.
Front view of the Tustin Area Museum - Tustin History
Inside view of the Tustin Area Museum showing our 1912 Buick touring car modified to be Tustin's first fire engine. The car was donated by Sam Tustin, the son of the city's founder - Tustin History

Welcome to the Web Home of the Tustin Area Historical Society and the Tustin Area Museum!

The Tustin Area Historical Society was founded in 1976 for the purpose of preserving the rich and colorful history of our local area.

Our website proudly celebrates the local history of the city of Tustin. We have some great old photos and some interesting articles and you can be sure that we will add more over time. We’re always looking for more content – articles, photos, and even old ads and printed materials. 

Our renovated museum is now open. For more on Tustin history, visit us. Our current open days are Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10 am to 3 pm, and Saturdays from 11 am until 3 pm. Our location is at 395 El Camino Real at Main St.

Explore the Museum

Major Areas of Tustin History

The History of the Tustin Blimp Hangars

Current view of one of Tustin's Blimp Hangars, c2019

Latest Articles About Tustin History

Friends of the Tustin Area Historical Society

Online Book Store

We have a variety of books and publications regarding Tustin history. If you can’t drop by the museum, you can order online by clicking the View Store button.

What Our Visitors Say!